Hello all,

My name is Ben and I'm from Syracuse, NY. I have just recently decided to start on the journey of making my first puppet. I have always been amazed and inspired by puppet making and puppeteering and look forward to learning as much as I can about the craft. That being said, I will have tons of questions for the more experienced designers in the group.

Where is the best place to begin to ask my many questions?  Thanks!

-Ben

Hello Ben, glad you are here.

Ask away?

Julie

You might want to go to the puppet construction section of the forum to start off. Nonetheless, everyone is pretty tolerant of posts wherever they happen to be located, unless it's spam. That being said, Welcome to Puppets and Stuff! You've already asked your first question, ask lots more, folks here are more than generous with their considerable knowledge about puppetry.

Welcome to PandS!  Chris is correct we are pretty easy going around here.  If you can't seem to find a forum area you think fits your question then just ask in the main Open Discussion area.  

Fantastic! Thank you for the warm welcome. As I am just getting started, I would be grateful to hear about your preferences for materials, especially in the initial stages of building. I have read a bit about a material called foam-rubber, but am not sure where I would be able to locate it and if it is in fact the best starting point for the "frame."

Also, what works best as skin? Does anyone have experience with anti-pill fleece?

I suppose we'll start there for now. Thanks!

Ben,
What type of puppet are you wanting to make.  By your questions I would assume you are wanting to make a hand in mouth puppet. This is the style of puppetry most associate with the Muppets. You are not so much looking for foam-rubber but for sheet foam like you can buy at craft stores.  It is often sold in the area where you buy things to make throw pillows. In fact most cushions and throw pillows have sheet foam in them.  Anti-pill fleece is one covering you can use for your puppets and is very popular.  There is what is called Antron fleece which is specifically made for covering puppets and mascots but you can not buy it in your local stores like regular anti-pill fleece.  You need to get it from some place like Out of the Box Puppets.

There are quite a few free patterns out there and in fact some you can find in the Gallery here in different members albums, but I would suggest to start out that you perhaps go with a professional pattern that you buy. A favorite of members around here is Project Puppet.  Check out the FAQ for some more links to patterns.

Shawn,

I was looking at making a hand-in-mouth puppet. Thank you for the advice on the foam. I was having a hard time finding foam-rubber, so it's nice to know I can use something far more readily available. I have some anti-pill fleece handy in some great colors, so I think I'll use that for my first attempt. Also thank you for the links above, I'm sure I will put them to good use!

Your welcome Ben! While it is not a requirement, some puppeteer prefer to work with reticulated foam. It is not as easy to get a hold of as regular sheet foam but often results in a lighter puppet. Puppet Project actually sells it through their site. I also just noticed they are selling Antron fleece now.

Welcome! Fabric stores or upholstery shops have foam. Do a web search for foam in your area, you might find a supplier. Our Wal Mart sells it (not all do), Hobby Lobby is another source. They sell it by the slab. Joanne and Hancock Fabrics sell it by the yard (more expensive).  Fleece works well, just be sure to get the stretch going in the right direction (should be marked on the pattern).

This group is most helpful, enjoy!

Welcome Ben, you've gotten good advice already.  I agree beginning with a pattern is a good place to start.  It helps to understand all the shapes involved in making a 3-D character.