FYI this project is very premature and i wont begin construction until thanksgiving break. I want to make a glorified sock puppet of my dog max, hes an italian greyhound and looks just like this one: http://www.321dogs.com/pictures/italian_greyhound_wallpaper.jpg I want to give him blinking eyes and a glossy nose but i dont know how im can fit the eyes onto the head. Im gonna use the ping pong ball with coat hanger method, if its possible. as for the nose, is there a fabric that wont unravel when cut and sewn that looks shiny? or will i have to use some sort of spray? i pretty much have the rest figured out

Depending on the size of nose, and if you wanted, there are commercially made animal noses.  You could also make the nose out of foam, then cover it with Scupt or Coat and whatever color paint you want.  Just a couple of options.  It all depends on what look you are going for.  I probably speak for everybody when I say, "I am looking forward to seeing the finished puppet, as-well-as photos of the puppet in progress."

Craig

Lycra material is often used for noses since you can get it shiny on one side. You can cut it and it does not unravel as bad as other fabrics.  There are also vinyls out there that can be cut and don't unravel. They make good noses also.  Vinyls are found in the upholstery section or sometimes are sold to make table cloths. In fact you might be able to find a cheap table cloth and cut it up.

hmmmm, i might go for vinyl.... alot of stuffed animals have that. my only deal with that is how will i stitch it on? i wouldnt want the edge the nose's pattern to stick out.

Small stitches, close to the edge of the vinyl should pull the edge and the stitches into the pile of the fleece, hiding both the stitches and the edge, nicely. That has been my experience, anyway.

Good to know Chris! thanks for telling me, Ill practice with it 

It might be pretty impossible to add blinking eyes to this style of puppet....the glorified sock puppet pattern has no structure it depends on your hand to make the "structure" of the head....so this give you no room for the mechanism or to make it work.....blinking eyes are over rated most puppets don't have blinking eyes and you don't even notice.....I agree they are cool but really are an over rated idea....plus it takes a lot of work to make it blink "at the right time" and consistently as well as working the mouth and hands.

Just my 2 cents.....and something to consider before you delve in.....all the best with the project it sounds like fun....


Daryl H

Oh another thought on the nose have  you considered Tool Dip then put a coat of varnish to make it shiny.  You can get Tool Dip both in dip and spray in black...which ever works for you.

Daryl H

Daryl id like to let you know (and i shouldve just said this in the 1st place) that im going to use half inch foam to give the head the appropriate shape, if the eyes are overrated ill take your word for it but i really want to give this puppet a special movement to evoke more emotion and charachter. i could give him ears that perk up or something but i will need someone to tell me how that is possible :/

I'm with Daryl about the blinking eyes.  I've made a few with them and it's way to easy to screw up the puppets look.   Also you want to have a smooth moving mechanism. If the head isn't a perfect fit for it there could be lots of fun problems. Stuff i'm sure you would like to avoid if possible.  To be honest I still haven't made a perfect blinking eye puppet.  It takes allot of time and learning to get it right.  If your going from The Dr Puppet blinking eye tutorial there's allot of small things left out.  I wish it could have been more detailed. From the inside and out.  I would love to see blinking eyes part 2.