what does the henson stitch look like?  I usually hand sew my puppet hands too after I cut them out but they can be a real pain. I have heard that the henson stitch makes things easier so how do you do it?

Daryle aka StiqPuppets has created a video that shows the "Henson" stitch.

https://youtu.be//v/pPM8h6kdNp0&hl=en_US

BTW:  In don't think the "Henson" or ladder stitch is the best thing for sewing your hands together.  As you can see in the video the fleece is already on the foam base and you are sewing from the right side of the fabric.

awesome tutorial

thanks for the video very well done. I didn't realize it but I have been doing that the whole time but I do need to bring my stitches closer together. The wax is a good tip I do have a horrible time with tangles! Tangles drive me up the wall! I will be using wax from now on . Thanks so much for the helpful information.

i just made my first puppet the hands were the hardest part. they didnt come out great I kind of tried a variety of the suggestions here. machine most of it hand turning around the tips.  still a pain and still hands look a bit funky.

Hands are by far the part I have had the most sloppy errors. After trial and error for me it was best to cut first when hand sewing, and cut second when machine sewing. Lowering the puller thing on the bottom plate of the sewing machine is a great idea I never thought about that as an option I will have to figure out how to lower them that would make machine work a lot easier.

Glad you liked the video there are many more on my YouTube if you want to check them out.  As well I usually sew then cut when I do hands I use the machine it comes out the most clean with a machine and is common practice in the field professionally.  Not saying everyone does it but way more use a machine to sew them.  I will do a video on it at least my way.

Daryl

Thanks for the tutorial Shawn.  I just started making puppets and don't know a thing about sewing.  This'll help a lot.

Wondering if we should pin some of the previous threads on this topic? Seems to be one that comes up regularly...