Since Antron fleece isn't always easy to come by and anti-pill and polar fleece seem hit-or-miss (IMO), I am beginning to consider other materials. One of which is called "double sided minky fleece". It looks like it has a deeper pile. Is this too stretchy for puppet building? Has anyone used it? The other one I was thinking of trying was "Terry Velour". It looks promising, but I don't want to keep spending money on materials if they aren't going to work out. Any ideas, thoughts or suggestions? What do YOU use for Puppet Skin?

~Nate

Nate,

I am in the same boat with you...I am wanting to get some really good "BlackLight" Material...But am very curious to find out what other types of materials are good to use!  Good Luck!

As far as I know, there are specific materials that are made for blacklight... try www.mendels.com or www.distinctivefabrics.com ... I have bought from them both as well as www.syfabrics.com :D

I would say, don't limit yourself.    If the puppet is for yourself and you'll be maintaining it then experimentation is a good thing. I've used stretch velor, bath towels, fur, lycra, among other things for the "skin" of the puppet.  Those I listed have worked pretty well.  Lycra has no nape to it at all so you have to get creative with seams but makes for a great smooth skin. That is what you see in the recent pictures I posted of dinosaurs I made and for a dragon puppet I made.

...I am wanting to get some really good "BlackLight" Material...But am very curious to find out what other types of materials are good to use!  Good Luck!

If you are still looking for blacklight material...I have blacklight yellow in a nice thick fleece.  Just let me know, if you are interested.
Sara

Sara;

I'm interested in some yellow blacklight fleece.  Do you have plenty?

Yes, I do...what I will do is this weekend, I will get it put for sale on my website, and you can purchase through Paypal...will that work for you? 
Just let me know.
Sara

Hey, just checked my site...it's already listed on there.  LOL  I change things around a lot, and I forgot I had the fabric listed right now.
Sara

I was about to buy some, but I can't afford the shipping.  It was almost as much as the material.  I'll have to wait for now.

Love your site though.

(Sorry to hi-jack your thread Nate!)

Yes, shipping costs are getting outrageous.  It seem to work out better per product the more you buy.  I'm not specifically talking about Sara's site.  I ship everyday and a small amount of fabric say a couple of yards will ship for about the same as 5-10 yds. 

I just ordered the pink.  Can't wait to get it.  I've never found a pink that I really like yet.  Here's hoping.  Thanks Sara for caring this.

I agree with Shawn.  Don't limit your self.  I mostly use polar type fleece, antron and fur for the faces, but just experiment with everything.  It really depends on the application.  Furs and things of that nature you can glue on in sections if you have an odd shape you are covering.

Robe velour (they call it something else now) works also.  Not as much stretch, but doesn't pill as much as fleece.

Julie

ps I carry over 20 colors of blacklight fabrics. www.outoftheboxpuppets.com.  You can contact me for free samples that way you can test the colors under the blacklight.