I have started some models of puppet heads to experiment with the Puppets Brazil pattern and hone my draping and sewing skills.




I am building these heads as "sketches" just to learn to manipulate the foam and patterns so I can get a feel for what volumes I can create.  Thanks to you all for the pattern topics.

I really like the Puppets Brazil pattern because of the cheeks that it forms.
 


My monkey pattern was as close as I could get by eyeballing the pattern from the video.  The picture of the foam head has a spot next to his eye from a previous layout mark in the foam.  The other picture shows the fabric being pinned on.

The snake pattern is the same foam pattern just clipped off a bit.

I am practicing my draping and ladder stitch sewing skills.  I'm sure it will be easier on a larger scaled head but I can't seem to make a good invisible seam.  Perhaps a thicker fleece and more practice is the key.  I learned the stitch from Jon's video of the groundhog puppet,  Thanks again Jon!

http://bashfulpuppet.blogspot.com/2009/12/prairie-dog-build-videos-on-youtube.html

I need to get my hands on some stretchy Antron fleece.  I have been reading the discussions about current fleece production following the discontinuation of the muppet type Antron fleece.  Money is tight now but I will buy some when I have a full scale puppet I want to build.

Next I'm going to try spray gluing the fleece in hopes of picking up more detail from the foam. I hope to find some way to minimize seams.  

I'm starting to really like foam as a sculptural material.

I guess I am working small (these pattern are about a foot wide) but thinking big.  I am designing a big mascot type figure incorporating leg extenders like the ones invented by Kim Graham.



Thanks again for all of the information everyone provides.

The key to having any seam disappear is the depth of the knap of the fabric.  Antron fleece is wonderful because it has a longer, thicker knap than other fleeces without looking shaggy.  The depth of the knap means that the knap, when picked out of the seam with a needle, will hide the seam.

I've found that the antipil fleece that tis sold at Joann Fabrics is an decent substitute for antron if you're working with a tight budget.

Thanks Jon.  Joanns anti pill it is.

Was this puppet made of Antron fleece?  I don't see any seams at all on the big round shape of the head.

Adam Ant was made with black antipil fleece I purchased from Joann fabrics.  The head was covered in one piece with no seam in the very front of the head.  All the seams were as much as possible kept to the back of the head and then carefully hand stitched using the ladder stitch and then picked out.

When it comes to seams the rules I follow are:

1. as few as possible
2. as small as possible
3. to the back of the head if possible
4. if in the front hide under other facial features if possible
5. if 3 and 4 are not possible make the seams neat and symmetrical.

Just wanted to make a note that anti-pill fleece quality varies depending on the manufacture .............. So make sure you feel the cloth look at both sides good and check the end of the bolt to see who the manufacture is. Make notes of the product number and color. Some fleece is not in stock all the time. Here are some fleece fact from the Fleece Lady. Anti Pill has a velour finish while regular fleece has a brushed finish. She carries a large variety of colors.
http://www.fleecelady.com/fleece-facts.php  http://www.fleecelady.com/products.php?category=5

Billy D.

Good idea to modify the Brazil pattern to
create animal characters...I like the monkey
and snake patterns...please post the pics if you
have finished making the puppets. Thanks for
sharing your ideas.

Bhanu

Brazil pattern has such a cute look to it. Its a great pattern to work with and I am very thankful for the opportunity.

Super way to diversify a pattern. add on, cut away, try everything. I usually make a mock-up with paper just to see what it might look like. It saves time and money on foam.

Think outside the box!  Its the best way to create.

Thanks for the information.

I used an anti pill fleece for my first puppet and he seams hide well enough even using a sloppy loop stitch.

I used the an anti pill fleece and made a foam ball just to cover and practice my ladder stitch.  I think I've just about got it. The seams I sewed last night hardly show in normal light after I picked them out.

I am draping the fabric and cutting the excess trying to minimize how much I roll under at the seam.

I'm going to try a wire dog grooming brush to see if I can burnish the nap to blend better across the seam.

I really like the cheeks of the Brazil pattern but it takes a lot of seams to cover in fleece.  I think I can make it work by hiding the seams in the folds of the cheeks and making the ones that are on the surface as minimal as possible.

Maybe all my seams will be less on a larger scale head.  

Sonny, I agree that pattern design is best done in three dimensions. The 1/2" foam I'm getting seems pretty cheap at $3.00 a yard so I can afford to use it to sketch if I keep it small. Once I get some designs that I want to make into full size figures I'll cut up the small models, use them to draw a pattern and scale that pattern up.

I am drafting patterns on AutoCad so I can scale, stretch, copy, mirror and all the other things cad drafting can do. It's working well and is great to have a catalog of what I have done so far.

I'll go back and modify the base drawing with revisions I make in foam.

I am drafting patterns on AutoCad so I can scale, stretch, copy, mirror and all the other things cad drafting can do. It's working well and is great to have a catalog of what I have done so far.

I'm jealous!  I wish I could figure out AutoCad.  My mind just well not accept thinking like that.