Ms Puppet - Our hancocks sells 1/2" and up.  I purchase online from http://www.batt-mart.com/site/490194/product/FF-R-23976-CASE  The green foam is the same as the kind JoAnn Fabrics sells.  I use both the 1/2" and 1". I purchase large quantities so that's why I purchase online.

Your so right about building multiples.

For the throat I mostly use black stretch velour because I specialize in blacklight puppets and that's what I have on hand in large quantities.  

I used the old OWS pattern.  I've actually never used the newer version. Of course I tweeked the original pattern somewhat when I first made puppets some 15-17 years ago.  LOL I'll attach photos shortly of Javier, one of the first 6 puppets I made from the pattern.  My husband said he was ugly when I completed him, now he takes Javier with him to church every week that he volunteers.  Javier's his alter ego. LOL

Javier...He's held up quite well.
Julie

Dr. Puppet has some EXCELLENT tutorials on his page as well as some patterns.  I used themto build the puppet you see in my avatar.  They are very easy to follow.

Have FUN!

Dennis

I was thinking that those of us that have used the OWS pattern it might be helpful if we let geobryan know what seemed tricky.  It's been a loooooong time since I've used the pattern, but the only thing I remember being tricky was the seam that joins the lower jaw to the head.  I'm not sure I can explain.....but while sewing one seam, I believe the neck/jaw seam, you stop your machine at the point marked on the pattern...without raising your needle, you turn the chin/neck fabric up onto head fabric and continue to sew towards the mouth until you reach the point marked on the pattern.  Does that sound right?  I don't own the original pattern any more, so I can't check.  An experienced seamstress should have no problem interpreting the instructions if they are similar to the old pattern.  Other that that I don't remember any problems.  Jarvier is the only one I used the hair pattern included.  Seems to me I changed something, but I don't remember.

Julie

Actually I do have another question, how would you suggest go about creating several puppets? Would you cut the original pattern out and stick it to something (I.E. plastic, cardboard etc) or would you trace it and cut out the traces..or is there something I'm not thinking of lol

If your asking about making additional copies, so everyone can trace the pieces onto their own materials I'd copy the originals on a copy machine.  Keeping in mind you can only use them to teach with.  If your asking about keeping the original in good condition then I'd trace it on posterboard...copying all the markings.

Julie

Ok thanks (both actually answered what I was asking.

I just realized I'm facing another obstacle... I have never been good at sewing... I hope some mom's in the church are willing to help out lol

I have OWS pattern and recently made blue fish out of just the head, follow the instructions carefully, it works. It was hard to visualize how those head pieces go together.  I am currently trying out the project puppet patterns and I am very impressed with the quality, it might be nice to have some from different shaped patterns for more variety.  http://www.projectpuppet.com. 

Just got the Foam Book DVD from Grey Seal Puppets, it is awesome!  Now I get what the foam tubes are, ingeneous way to make the mouth more reactive to your hand.  I love doll joint pivot for the rod arms too, no more breaking rubber bands or noisy velcro for my rods.

I had an old puppet made with formica mouth that crumbled, foam core crumbling too.  I use corregated plastic, and the old clear VHS tape plastic boxes, roughed up plastic with sandpaper to make the hot glue stick for hard mouth palates, or thick leather from Tandy for good puppets. (Cut with heavy box cutter blades, not easy) You don't want to go to all the trouble and expense and have the mouth fall apart later, do not use felt, it is not even woven, just pressed together fibers, and we have had lots of thumbs stick thru felt, the felt is sad looking very fast.  I cut foam with an old electric carving knife, it makes a mess but cuts curves well, and we can carve the turkey with it later. For the contact cement on the foam for the head, less is better and press it together gently, I have not had good luck with the water based, so I go outside when I glue foam, it is not good to breath fumes.

One of the benefits of making your own puppets it to think ahead and make them more versatile.  Put pipe cleaner loops inside the fingers so you can pose them, project puppet and Foam Book had other posable finger ideas. Instead of sewing one shirt to the body make skin so you can change costumes later. A Bible outfit with t-shirt neck showing is not good. We found that we needed to change the hair to make a girl a boy sometimes.  If you baste the hair on with thread you can easily rip it off later if you need to, but if you glue it down it leaves a mess. I use a really long needle called a doll needle to sew the hair on, it can go all the way thru the head.  The eye placement is key to the personality.  I put a pin thru a peice of tape on the back of eyes and stick them on the head to see what looks best before I glue. Think about your stage back ground color will the puppet's hair color disappear against the back ground color.  We went from blue to yellow curtain and had to make hats for yellow haired puppets. Best of luck to you.

Thanks that's really helpful.. .I feel like I'm eating up all your guys' time but I have a new question...

As far as making the people puppets go, I know I need foam but should we make a mix of races for the puppets or start out with a family of one race and move on to others.. and once we're ready to make mixed raced puppets how should/could I go about that

i feel like such a newb at the moment lol

Thanks that's really helpful.. .I feel like I'm eating up all your guys' time but I have a new question...

As far as making the people puppets go, I know I need foam but should we make a mix of races for the puppets or start out with a family of one race and move on to others.. and once we're ready to make mixed raced puppets how should/could I go about that

i feel like such a newb at the moment lol

I think that would all depend on who your puppeteers are, what type program you are putting together, and the script you are using. Whether you are telling a story or just acting out a scene. there are no set rules.

Just my opinion

Billy D.

I agree with Billy.  You need to base the puppets you build on both your puppeteers and the needs of the story you are going to tell.  There is also the option that you simply make them all green. Why stick to stereotypes or even reality.