This question is asked time and time again on the forum so thought it was about time to create a sticky topic that would address it.  I have gathered a few from the forum that have been posted and you are welcome to post more in the topic if you like.  Please do not use this topic to ask about the different patterns.  Let's try and keep it a listing of sites with patterns or if you have a non internet source that you can list with contact information that is OK.  If you do have a question about one of the patterns first do a search of the forum to see if it has been mentioned before and if not then start a new thread referencing the pattern in your subject.

Project Puppet:
http://www.projectpuppet.com/index.htm

Arms~Length Productions:
http://www.armslength.com/catalog/videos.htm

Grey Seal Puppets: (The Foam Book)
http://www.greysealpuppets.com/products.html

VIP pattern:  
http://www.mwt.net/~jmrdc/youcantoo.htm

One Way Street:
http://www2.mailordercentral.com/oneway/

Let Us Teach Children:
http://www.letusteachkids.com/puppets/puppetpatterns.htm

Puppets For Ministry:
http://www.puppetsforministry.com/

A couple of Freebies that I thought would be helpful to keep in one spot  :

Blue Boy Puppet Pattern:
http://members.aol.com/bocashouse/MG/BlueBoy.html

Foam Monster Puppet Pattern~ Human Arm Style
http://members.shaw.ca/reelrevolution/tutorial/index.htm

Scooter Muppet's Head revearse engineered and ready to print:
http://www.innisanimation.com/puppets/scooter.htm

Kermit Muppet's Head revearse engineered and ready to print:
http://www.innisanimation.com/puppets/kermit.htm

Cool Step By Step Nun Puppet Construction from Nicodemus:
http://www.nicodemus.org/fursuit/puppet1.php

Neat Idea for making elbow and knee joints using pipe insulating tube foam found at Home Depot or Lowes for REALLY CHEAP!
http://www.diynet.com/diy/pl_pipes_fittings/article/0,2037,DIY_14190_2271350,00.html

I know how to caulk around windows and doors now.

 

Seriously, do you see why they would make great elbow and knee joints? Or should I take the time to give further details?

-Michele

Yeah.  Actually I used them once as the "arm" parts and made the elbow out of fabric.  Fabric skin and WAH-LAH!

Seriously, do you see why they would make great elbow and knee joints? Or should I take the time to give further details?

Would it have anything to do with this photo on the site, which shows how to cut notches in the tubular pipe insulation so that it will fit around T-joints in plumbing?

http://images.scrippsweb.com/DIY/2003/09/18/cfi109_1fb_e.jpg


Or this one, which shows how to cut them at 45º angles to accommodate an elbow joint in plumbing?

http://images.scrippsweb.com/DIY/2003/09/18/cfi109_1fa_e.jpg


Very clever... if the pipe insulation is used as the skeleton of the limbs I guess that the joint might need to be reinforced with something, depending on the style of puppet being constructed - unless the fabric skin covering them is strong enough by itself. Some marionettes use cord or rope, or some kind of strapping as the joint material. (Like nylon web backpack straps, for example.) Those 45º cuts in the ends of the pipe insulation would definitely help keep the joints from bending back in the wrong direction, if they were assembled properly...



Ron G.

I could see both methods used Ron.  I do think that the cloth covering of the skin would help to reinforce the joint and hold things together.

I really love the hardware store.  They have soooooo many puppet supplies.  They keep them in the back in a special room... just kidding.

Or this one, which shows how to cut them at 45º angles to accommodate an elbow joint in plumbing?

http://images.scrippsweb.com/DIY/2003/09/18/cfi109_1fa_e.jpg


Very clever... if the pipe insulation is used as the skeleton of the limbs I guess that the joint might need to be reinforced with something, depending on the style of puppet being constructed - unless the fabric skin covering them is strong enough by itself. Some marionettes use cord or rope, or some kind of strapping as the joint material. (Like nylon web backpack straps, for example.) Those 45º cuts in the ends of the pipe insulation would definitely help keep the joints from bending back in the wrong direction, if they were assembled properly...



Ron G.

Yup, it's the 45º cuts made at the point where you want your joint to be. Reinforcing the joint with strips of duck tape is a good idea, and its even better if the "skin" of your character is made of a durable fabric like fur or muppet fleece.

Darn, I thought we were going to get to use caulk...

Darn, I thought we were going to get to use caulk...

Well, I guess you COULD use caulk, but don't hold your breath waiting for it to dry! Also, it might be just a tad bit messy.