Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 18:49:49 -0500
From: Dave&Ann Yates <monet-AT-lincoln.midcoast.com>
Subject: Re: PUPT: Squishy puppet heads


Bill-

Soft sculptures can use a variety of materials. I made some Punch and Judy
over sized hand puppets  years back. They had to survive my 5 boisterous
kids..Subconsciously,  I was thinking of boxing gloves..Squish and smack!
I used muslin over poly fill and stitched and grabbed bits of features..I
sketched on the muslin a bare placement of features For the big noses I
pulled a big section of muslin stuffed it and added a rubber band to hold
it.  Cheeks were stuffed while stitching. The muslin square needs to be
large enough to have plenty left over around the face to pull together at
the end and really shape &stuff into a head format. * Muslin takes paint
really well after the first coat .(acrylic &airbrush too) Can also be
glossed to add shine-Hair -Judy's can also be stitched right into the
muslin-big rolling loops-tied off. Underwig or top knot can be hotglued and
then stitched
My kids bashed these characters and were pretty creative with a dozen ways
to have them hit each other. For Judy-a giant dress with a built in sleeve
stuffed  on the outside layer with a big butt -Punch -big belly

I have  redesigned these characters for grandchildren  and stitch the pinky
and thumb part of the puppet to fit the kids hands. This makes it easier
for them .For the neck piece (where the center fingers fit-I design it to
the shape SIZE of their hands and stuff and stitch  all around . This part
needs to be a wee bit further in the head inorder to stay firmly in place
while hitting etc..

Annie
>
>I need to make some heads that look firm, but 'squish' when they get knocked
>with a hammer.  I've thought about foam covered with nylon hose.  Does
>anyone know how to make the stitches etc. that shape the hose?  I've seen
>dolls like that, but don't know how it's done.  Also any other ideas will be
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Bill
>Random Acts Puppet Theater
>Austin, Texas
>bwmw-AT-flash.net
>
>




  --- Personal replies to: Dave&Ann Yates <monet-AT-lincoln.midcoast.com>
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu