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Hand and Rod Puppet PDF pattern

Price

$15.00

Make your own puppet with a moving mouth and hands.  It’s easier than you think!  These puppets will enchant people of all ages.  The only hard time you’ll have is convincing people you made it yourself!

 

This pattern does NOT use foam like other hand-and-rod puppets so it goes together fast but gives that same professional puppet look.

 

Easy-to-understand instructions with color photos and video tutorial are included along with full size pattern pieces.  There is also a free video series if you want to change your puppet's options.

Design Size

Puppet is 9” from top of head to bottom of body and sized to fit most hands when made with blizzard type fleece that has stretch around the width of puppet.  It may be tighter when made from fur that has no stretch to it.


You may add an infant sized shirt to make it look bigger as shown in photos.

Skill Level

Beginning puppet makers
Knowledge of sewing is assumed

Time to complete 2-6 hours depending on skill level and embellishments

Tools and Materials Needed

Tools

  • sewing machine: any sewing machine with a straight stitch will work for this project. Or you may hand stitch if you prefer that method.
  • sharp fabric scissors
  • Utility scissors for cutting paper pattern, template plastic, and rigid mouth-plate
  • hemostats are VERY useful for turning puppet fingers: 10″ large or 6” medium
  • fabric marking pen
  • long doll needle
  • pins or clips to hold fabric together while sewing or gluing

Materials

  • (Optional) Template plastic (clear report cover, clear thin cutting board, or template plastic from sewing/office supply OR tear-away stabilizer (sold at fabric stores)
  • Fabrics:
  1. head/body – ¼ yard of thick non-fray fabrics like fleece, minky or faux fur
  2. Arms – ¼ yard of fleece is recommended, (fur is more challenging)
  3. Brain Pillow – one side of very stretchy fabric with Lycra®, the other side can be any woven or non-stretch fabric. 5” x 7” piece of each fabric
  4. Mouth-plate: two pieces of 5” x 6” piece of polyester fleece is recommended
  5. Tongue -2” x 2” scrap of fleece or felt
  6. Nose – 3” x 3” piece of fleece or stretch fabric
  7. Hair: scraps of faux fur, yarn, or no hair at all!
  • Rigid mouth-plate: 7” x 4” piece of rigid material such as cardboard, mat-board, foam-core, 1/8” rubber gasket (←my favorite!), piece of plastic storage tub, plastic placemat, or similar material to make the mouth firm and easy to move.
  • sewing machine threads and bobbin to match your chosen fabrics
  • strong thread for hand sewing or fabric glue (Fabri-tac® or fabric hot glue)
  • plastic safety eyes or other eye options
  • (Optional) a pair of 45mm plastic doll joints to attach arms
  • One or two puppet arm rods (see video link on page 2)
  • poly stuffing or fabric scraps to stuff the brain pillow and arms
ZIP File Download

 Embroidery Machine files are delivered in a .ZIP file with all files and instructions.  

 

Your download will be available on a "Thank You" page immediately after purchase and you will also be emailed a link for that same download.  

 

Please download files within 30 days of purchase.

Store Policies & Commercial Use
  •  You CAN sell limited quantities of the items you make with these digital files.
  • You CANNOT share or sell these digital files, photos, or other copyright-protected materials. 
  • No refunds are given on digital products, this is the industry standard.  
  • Please refer to our Legal Page for complete store policies.

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