Hey guys. I've had the idea of making a Fraggle-style puppet for a while, and I wanted to know some pointers like what material to use mainly, but maybe some pics of these might work.

I know one thing is that they use to make one is the Glorified Sock Puppet pattern (As does Kermit and the like), but this is my first foray into puppet building (As I only have experience puppeteering) so any and all suggestions are welcome.

I also don't know if it should be a glove arm puppet or and arm-rod version, but I'm leaning toward arm rod since most Fraggles had arm-rod controls (With the exception of Mokey, but she had the cardigan to cover up the performers' arms). Again, any and all suggestions, tips, tricks, criticisms for wanting to make one, put-downs to my mother, ect. are welcome.

Hello =] I created a "fraggle-ish" puppet myself using a modified version of the Glorified Sock Puppet pattern. Check my gallery and you'll see it =] I used Antron fleece, but any type or color fleece would be fine since making exact copies isn't really a good idea. I put ears on mine, too, which I think add to the characters ummm character... lol.

I was going to add some long hair to mine, to give him a dated 80's rocker look.
I will check yours for ideas and partial inspiration.

what were you going to use for the hair? i think you should make it half arm/half rod.

I was thinking of using either an old wig I have (Modded to fit the puppet's head) or whatever material was used for the real Fraggle puppets' hair (I assume thin yarn?)

You will find some of their hair is made from Feather Boa. The feather is so light it moves of it's own accord and gives the puppet life. There is a kermit and a scooter pattern floating around the web, reverse engineered from a toy. I've never used them but I know they exist, for free (if they haven't been pulled for copyright) The scooter nose might be more "fragglish" than most patterns and give you some ideas. If you use a wig be sure you can wash and style it. It might be wise to make it removable. Feather isn't really washable either so watch out for that, but if they have feather you won't NEED  to wash it as much. Washing the wig is more about restyling it and you might be able to do it with a light spray of water... I've only done this on big heads that got some rough treatment (I didn't make them, just maintained them) and if they have a style that has any defined curls (80's rocker style) they need a bit of maintenance. The avenue Q puppet with extreme hair is acrylic fur styled with PVA instead of Gel. If you did this though I think it would be difficult to return it to it's style if you messed up his hair after the glue had dried!
Few things there, good luck

Michele from Puppet Planet has them available

http://puppet-planet.com/kermitpatterns.htm

http://puppet-planet.com/ScooterPatterns.htm

Thanks for the patterns. I never thought of using a feather boa style for hair. I know that the hair used on the show was full of life and added character (Especially guys like Red and Wembley) so I may use that.

As for the Scooter pattern, he does look fragglish, but the cheeks are a bit big. I was going to make mine stiled after either Red, Wembley, or Mokey, but it'll help me get an idea of what to do.

What's funny is that I was looking into making a Fraggle-ish puppet for a music teacher of infants around July 6th before I left to Mexico. So maybe you and I can keep in touch and help eachother with any things we figure out. So for now full Fraggle mode!!! and unpacking

The really fine feather boa is called something like "marabou" boa. al fine, downy feathers I don't know if it's a kind of bird or the process of thinning the feathers or what... Can any one help out? I'd google it but This is a flying visit tonight!
Scoob