Thanks, Na, that was exactly what I had in mind. I love the idea of Puppetainer, I guess the vertikal control might work better, then?

I'm thinking wind up toy doll instead of marionette. As the controls for a marionette are actually attached with strings and the puppet is suspended. I'm not sure how you would insinuate that in a costume.  

Actually, marionette costumes are a popular Halloween thing. I don't need to remember it's October every year: instead I just look at my website stats increasing with people searching for info on them. I'd bet there would be heaps of ideas if a search were done on sites like Yahoo Answers, etc. Actually, I'd bet fursuit or mascot forums would also have some posts on it.

From what little I've paid attention, there are people who do make the controls/strings, but I don't really know how most people do it. There is actually a dress pattern company that has a pattern for it too, but for the life of me can't think of which one. (Maybe it was a costume for hire, but I definitely recall seeing it on the net)

When it comes time for strings, use elastic that you get at a fabric or craft store.  She'll be able to move her hands, feet, etc. wherever she wants, but there will never be any dangling slack in the line!

I would go with the idea you see in the Halloween picture that Abdolos linked to. A simple cross control. Balsa would be fine and I actually like the idea of it being on a bar above the head.   Also elastic is the way to go for the strings. The person has to be able to move freely or else the costume will come off really fast. If you try to add any more strings then just hand and leg you she is going to be tangled in no time and not be able to move around.

Typical: if I had read Abdolos' post properly, I would have seen the link to the marionette costume I was thinking of but couldn't remember.

I love community brainstorming!! I also have to say that I LOVE the video that Abdolos posted. That is so cool!

I vote you up on that one!

Wow, thanks all. What a wonderful community you have here. I will look into the links and see if I can post back what I come up with. I like the elastic idea, I seem to remember some at Joann one time that is maybe 1/8" thick and glitter covered, I rather like that idea. I have lots of steel rod of various diameters, probably just build a velcro rig to go under the clothes and hold it.

Thanks again!

- E

Good luck with it! Be sure to come back and post some pics