Duck Bills and Kermit Hands?

[RockerRob]

Hey everyone,

I need some help on the construction of a Duck bill and Kermit hands for different puppets.

With the Duck bill, I want a Donald Duck type bill, but out of foam and fleece. I do not know much about how to get a nice shape like this to keep its shape and where my hand would go inside the bill for manipulation. If anyone has any tips or knows any links on that I would be so very greatful!

For the Kermit style hands, I just want to know how these were sewn. His fingers are so skinny and it seems impossible to me to do the old sew and turn right side out. Any tips you know or can direct me toward for this would be much appreciated. (I want Kermit style hands for my own puppet, I'm not copying the little green guy.)

Thanks for your help!

-Julie

 

[SesameKermie]

For the duck bill, I would make the bill so that your fingers go on the top half of the bill, and your thumb works the jaw. As far as the shaping, I would let the natural curve of your fingers create the curve in the top half of the bill--kind of like how Kermit's skull is shaped by the puppeteer's hand.

As far as kermit-style hands go, you do sew and turn right side out, but there's an extra step in between. Cut a rectangle of fabric wider than the puppet's arm and hand. Then, trace the hand/arm pattern on to your fabric, and sew around it, getting in between the fingers and tight places. Cut the fingers apart close to the stitching lines (Note: this works better on some fabrics than others, but should be oK for most 'puppet' fabrics.) Turn each finger and the thumb right-side out and then continue turning the hand and arm.

Hope this helps!