Haven't done it before, but cutting a slit in the costume makes more sense. I've seen this done on bunraku (http://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/32Bunraku.pdf), where the puppeteers have their hands inserted into the back of the costume. A slit makes more sense because it's a tighter fit and there's less of your arm visible/less of the puppet's insides visible.

One thing about your pics. I'm not entirely sure, but I think I see extra thread hanging off the lips. This is probably where you finished off your sewing. If you dab a bit of glue (PVA or something that dries clear) onto the thread and gently push it down onto the lip, you won't have the thread sticking up in the air. Maybe that's something you're planning on doing later, but I just thought I'd mention it anyway.

My only suggestion for the foam scrunching up inside is... start again with the fleece covering, or perhaps add a panel at one side. There's no easy way to keep the foam from collapsing in on itself without adding extra stuff (wire?) to the inside.

Otherwise: still looking very very good

Thanks Na I was thinking of a slit in the back as it is not as obtrusive.
You are clearly a perfectionist and I thank you for mentioning the threads on the lips, will use the glue method you mentioned. I was leaving them alone for the time being as I have a morbid fear that if I cut anything the whole thing will unravel!

Will live with the scrunched foam for the time being its not that bad. For unless I invest in a sewing machine I am not stitching that body again! lol. Anyway a puppet should have a certain amount of cuddliness to it (and not look like a mannequin).

You are clearly a perfectionist and I thank you for mentioning the threads on the lips, will use the glue method you mentioned. I was leaving them alone for the time being as I have a morbid fear that if I cut anything the whole thing will unravel!

Not quite. I think 'perfectionism' is closer to 'make sure you make mistakes somewhere someone doesn't see them'.
Actually I only noticed them because I have similar issues when I sew things. Most of the time it's easy to hide the end of the thread by sewing it in a hard-to-see corner, but sometimes you've just got to glue the thing down so it's less noticeable.

If you can live with the scrunched foam, then that's a good thing. It goes back to what I was saying about perfectionism - the trick is to hide the mistakes or problems. The audience won't know, and so long as it's functional (and cuddly), who cares?

Here is a video on hiding the knots.

You can create a frame from polyethylene tubing with spacers to connect the ends. Think hula hoop. Glue inside body at neck and bottom of torso.  If you were using 1" foam then you could slit the foam and imbed into foam. Just make sure the spacers are the same size as the ID of the tubing.

Video of hiding knots



Tubing- you can purchase it in smaller quantities from hardware stores.
http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Watts-Water-Technology-43131200-Tubing-Poly-1-4Od-X-170Id-100-Feet-6408082.html

Spacers
http://www.grainger.com/product/MICRO-PLASTICS-Round-Spacer-1DA43?s_pp=false

Julie

Great work! You are really moving along nicely with this.

Julie's idea is a good one for keeping foam shape and for that matter even in fabric (think hoop skirt). I also sometimes use a denser EVA foam inside of things to give support. This can come in the guise of either rounds circles or even triangles. I think I still have a picture of how I added triangle supports to body costume that was collapsing.  I'll see if I can find it.

UPDATE: Found it!  In fact this also shows the tubing in action to support the foam.

Thanks Shawn and Julie.
Was that wire you used in the pic?
Will try that or see if I can find some tubing that Julie mentioned at the hardware store. If I put a circle in her waist area it will make her a bit more 3D
I was thinking of stuffing her bottom half full of polyfill! (as the hand doesn't go down there.)

QUESTION: Sorry for asking this in this section of the forum as it is more one of technique, but does anyone use gloves when operating their puppet (ie those white cotton ones) as it gets awfully clammy in her head after a few minutes!

The hoops in the picture I posted are both wire and tubing. The darker one is heavy wire and the white one is tubing.  I would suggest for what you are doing to use the tubing. The best wire for doing hoops like this would be a spring/piano wire. It is a wire that has a "memory" of sorts so does not bend or crimp that easy. This makes it so your hoop does not get misshapen. Tubing is lighter in weight so better to use as a rule.

Yes I've heard of puppeteers wearing white cotton gloves while performing. Never did it myself though.

I have used water tubing that is for water filters in fridges. I got this idea from a stiqpuppets tutorial. You buy it from Bunnings in 3m lengths I think for around $12. I'll see if I can find the tutorial later (I'm on my way to work now...) and post it here.

QUESTION: Sorry for asking this in this section of the forum as it is more one of technique, but does anyone use gloves when operating their puppet (ie those white cotton ones) as it gets awfully clammy in her head after a few minutes!

My friends and I used to wear long black gloves, which whilst comfortable and easy to use, I never did like much. I think there's something to be said for having a direct contact with the materials you are trying to use.

Like Shawn, I know people do it, but not a majority I don't think. It also depends on what you're doing: different styles of puppetry or different aesthetics of the play, require different costumes.

Body ring tutorial.