To: "Puptcrit" <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:14:33 +0000
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Costuming a Puppet


Hey Paul,
    I sympathize completely. In my day I have bought doll clothing patterns, doll clothes, baby clothes and even have taken adult patterns and reduced them down. So here was my final solution. I finally realized that I needed my own puppet pattern parts of basic parts (bodice, collar, lapel, etc).
So taking my most hopeful fitting part, I cut it out of muslin and began tucking, snipping, recutting and altering until I got what I want. Then I carefully took the garment apart, laid the pieces flat and traced the master pattern. After several puppets later, and I had my successful pattern, I cut the pieces out of luan, labelled them, drilled a hole in each and hang them on my pegboard. It has saved me at least a bizillion hours. Nancy
------Original Message------
From: Paul Fantini
Sender: puptcrit-bounces-AT-puptcrit.org
To: Puptcrit
ReplyTo: Puptcrit
Sent: Jan 31, 2009 12:26 PM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Costuming a Puppet

Is it just me or is this an under discussed topic on Puptcrit?  And yet, it
is one of the most challenging things for me to do well.  I write this after
having failed to sew a button on a puppet shirt. True, maybe I should just
go get some basic sewing lessons, but not having the means or opportunity to
do this at this time I thought I might throw some questions and ideas out
there to see if someone might respond.

Are there any books dedicated to costuming a puppet?
If not, what author do you feel covers this topic most completely?
Do you hot glue (or some other adhesion) or sew most elements of your
costuming?
I have a difficult time fitting the neck of the costume around the neck of
the puppet head; as a result there is always an awkward finish around there.
Any advice?
Should I start from purchased patterns (for dolls) or should I make my own
patterns and if so, how do I do that?
Does yelling at the needle and thread help in any measure?

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

Sincerely,

Paul Fantini
Principal Puppeteer
Storybook Puppet Theater, LLC
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 206-0449
http://www.storybookpuppettheater.com

PS...I have consulted with my puppets and they say Cardinals 24 - Steelers
20.  It will be interesting to count how many puppets we see during the
commercials.

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