To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:51:42 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Costuming a Puppet


This is my forte in puppetry I think. I worked long and hard to be  
able to make just about anything for a puppet.

I come from a theater background (AEA stage manager by trade but  
costumer when needed) so I had all the basics down for creating  
patterns.

The biggest thing I learned over the years was simplification. It has  
to look like a tux but it doesn't need to be a practical tux and  
frankly puppets don't care about itchy fabric or unfinished inner  
seams. You look for cloth that creates the illusion of the clothing  
you are making.

Also you need to think about whether the clothing needs to come off  
the puppet or can it be a permanent part of the puppet. Hot glue can  
be your friend in these cases or other adhesives like "insta-hem"

The nice thing is that there are some basic "shape" you can use to  
make all kinds of different cloths.

I do use a sewing machine and have made clothing for little puppets to  
oversized behemoths. Of the two I prefer the little guys.

Necks aren't easy but I learned a lot from books about pattern making  
and general sewing for people that I got from the library and honestly  
the ones that were published in the 50s and 60s have done me more good  
than the ones from the 80s and 90s. A lot of it has to do with darts  
to create the shape you need.

Hope that helps and feel free to e-mail me with any other questions  
you might have.
Kath


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