Hi everyone.

I'm Alex. New to this forum.

I have decided I want to make a puppet. I have no experience, I am not overly crafty but hey, I am going to give it a go.

I have the Roly pattern from Project Puppet. And also decided (as they have a sale on) to order the Punto pattern and fleece covering pattern.

Have no idea how it is going to work! Am a little bit scared!

I am making this to try and help a person with Autism communicate. Puppets seem to work well for them, I think they find them less intimidating than a real person but the generic puppets you can buy (unless you want to spend a lot of money) are not fantastic. We would also like her to help create it, pick colours and clothes etc so she feels it is hers not just off the shelf.

So, I might end up with a fantastic puppet or a ball of hot glue and foam!!

Any hits and tips very much appreciated!!

Welcome Alex! What a fabulous idea!

I've only used Project Puppet patterns once but in my experience they're reasonably straight forward and if you follow the instructions, you will have an awesome addition in no time. We loove seeing pics here so please post photos when you're done! If you need any help along the way, just give a holler. There are some brilliantly talented members here who will be more than happy to share their knowledge.

I work in disability services and have never really used a puppet to support communication methods for clients with challenging communication issues. I'd be interested (if you were happy to share) in what sort of outcome you achieve for the person you've identified.

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff! Pleased you dropped in.

I think you'll be fine with the PP patterns. Once you get them feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Welcome and good luck with your first build. Let us know if you get stuck!

Good luck with your puppet, and I hope you'll share with us how it went. I work with a dementia patient, and even tho it is totally different, She does respond to the stuffed animals and rag doll that I animate for her. All the best with it. You could really be on to something.

Letting the girl help in the process, will probably make her love it no matter how it turns out. Those are great patterns and will give you a good head start to a usable puppet you both will be proud of.  My brother-in-law uses puppets in his counseling and they do help children talk more. Best of luck with your plan.

Hi and thanks for all the replies this is a really friendly place

Lizzies Lair - we have found with people with Autism when they need or want to talk about something that might be emotional that sometimes they struggle to do this with another person - people are scary. And often when people without Autism talk about subjects that cause emotion everything about them changes. Their tone of voice etc. Which to someone with Autism can be quite a dramatic change.

Using puppets for them can make it easier. They can look at the puppet and not the person reducing the amount of eye contact needed.

And it might be something, that to many is simple and not important but to the person with Autism quite a stressful thing. Something like being able to tell their family or care workers that at their day centre / college / school they went swimming and they did not like it because it was at a different pool to the one they are use to visiting and the showers were too noisy. Or a child trying to explain how and why they were bullied at school.

For this young lady they have been really key to helping her open up. It is easy to see when she is anxious about something but getting her to say what is big problem. A quiet room and a puppet who listens makes a huge difference and once the main issue has been told to the puppet she is then able to discuss options with real people as the 'hard' bit is out the way.

I will let you all know how it goes and have had a good time looking through the forum, it is a real grate place. Thank you for being so welcoming.

Hi Alex, I will also back the option of a project puppet pattern, it's an awesome place to start. I love the purpose behind your build too. Good luck, please keep us posted.

Thanks everyone. My Punto pattern has not arrived yet (might take a couple of weeks as I'm in the UK - they are in the US. But I have downloaded the Roly pattern to try this weekend! Got everything I need so watch this space!! Might have to watch Fraggle Rock as I get creative - it seems to be a fitting choice!

I am making this to try and help a person with Autism communicate. Puppets seem to work well for them, I think they find them less intimidating than a real person but the generic puppets you can buy (unless you want to spend a lot of money) are not fantastic. We would also like her to help create it, pick colours and clothes etc so she feels it is hers not just off the shelf.

That sounds like an awesome idea!  I asked a pastor once if puppets would work on missions trips, because to me it seemed like they could come off childish and cheesy.  The response I had was that they were often times better because kids and adults would respond to messages from puppes much easier then from people they don't know or trust.  I can easily see how this could translate to many other areas.

I will also second everyone's comments on Project Puppet.  I am using several of their patterns, and if I can do it then anybody can :D