I may have already asked this, but what makes black light fabric work.  Is it the color of the fabric, or something in the fabric.

Julie,
Are you talking about the black rubber bungee cords that are more rectangular than round? Yes and make sure they have an opening at both ends where the S-Hooks attach it doesn't matter if the ends are more squared or rounded.  I have used both.

Are the arms made of the same bungee cords? Yes

The "Head": is it just black felt or fleece? The orginals are covered in black robe velour, but I used black stretch velour or a similar type fabric with some stretch.

What did you use to connect the head to the body? Before assembling the head you will need 2 - 1/8" or 1/4" x 10" pieces of black twill tape (I think that's what it's called). Each piece will be looped under the arms the same width apart as the width of the mouth. The twill tape will come up through the fabric covering each arm and need to be secured to the mouth before covering it. Is this making sense?  This makes the head appear to be floating above the body.
Did you do anything special to help keep the hands in the mouth of the puppets since it is so small? I put a 4" x 1 1/2" piece of pipe insulation (like pool noodle foam) on top plate before I covered it. This give you something to grip.

What did you make the lips out of? I used craft foam backed with quilter template (plastic, you can get from walmart or hobby lobby etc.) The craft foam give it thickness and the template give it durablility.  Then I covered it with flourescent pink spandex.

Where did you buy your eyes? The eyes are yellow practice golf balls from Walmart.  I spray painted them white first (not necessarily flourescent), then with yellow flourescent (I prefer Rust-Oleum brand because it seems to clog and flake less). I painted them white first to coat the balls, so they did not soak up as much yellow.  I used several coats of both colors.  The centers could be any number of things.  Walmart (I should get paid to advertise) sells these little felt circles in different sizes.  Black buttons.  My favorites are push fasteners used to secure car apolstry.  You can buy them at Automotive stores, Lowe's (where you get all the little fasteners in the drawers) or the same in Home Depot.

Do you have one to copy? I hope this helps.  There are lots of little details I learned along the way, so I'd suggest buying one or finding someone's to look at.  One bit of info...When you attach your steel rods to the dowel, use Gorilla glue (you guessed it, Walmart).  It's very important that the feet remain stationary.

Julie

Well, just to post an update, yes I also attended Ifest and fell for the yellow stretch a belly, wat they r called.  I bought one, for 75$, but if u r handy with crafts and stuff, u could probably make one, tho the ppl i talked to, their creator, told me extensively how hard they r to make because of hiding seams, blacklight fabric and the machined parts, etc.  They r very cute and well worth the money, even if u dont do alot of blacklight, I figured u could use them in blacklight or behind a curtain made of that stuff in halloween masks, were u can see out but ppl cant see in.  Use some long black gloves and stick him through a slit.  anyway, they are alot of fun to play with and experiment with, they r so easy and with unlimited possiblilities.  I took the class, have some hadouts i could scan in on things or ideas to use with them....  tell me if ur interested!!  ttyl,
Alan