live hand puppets

[puppetise]

ok guys im developing puppets for ebay and my self but the question is how do you make 4 fingered live hand puppets i tried tracing around my hand bit it didnt work when i sewes it can some one send me a pattern for it i need the help
cheers -wayne-

 

[Lab Rat]

i just draw round my hand when making live hand puppets.

 

[puppetise]

well ok but can you still send me the traced hand for me please

 

[Punch'n'Judy]

I've found the best live hand effect can be achieved with a three part pattern. The front of the hand, the back of the hand and the thumb. Have a look at a pair of gloves, and you'll see they are often made in this way. If you look at your own hand you'll see that the thumb sticks out, away from the hand, rather than up into the air. This patterning I think is the only way to achieve this look. However it's not an easy pattern to sew, I've found the only way to do it justice is to sew it by hand.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

If Pasha is reading this, Project Puppet should do a pattern for this type of puppet.

That is unless they're working on one already...

 

[SesameKermie]

When you trace around your hand to make the fleece/fur pattern, Don't forget to add a seam allowance! That way you know that your fingers will fit.

 

[wes]

When I started making Puppets I always forgot to add seam allowance and wonder why my puppets looked like junk. the Seam allowance should be 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. bigger than your hand.

Practice drawing around your hand to you get the shape you want cut out pattern and save it, you never know when you can use it again.

 

[whatadoddle]

I made several mistakes when I made my first "hand" puppet, it was trial and error. First too small, then baggy! When you get it right, save a copy as Wes says, in fact I keep copies of all my unusual builds just in case I get asked for replicas, also to cut out some of the trial and error - go on you can do it! M X

 

[puppetsmith]

That is a good idea, Buck! I figured I'd tackle that one with the Monster Series. It's just trying to find the time. Building a puppet is one thing. Creating instructions for someone else to build a puppet is in my opinion 10 times more difficult.

At any rate, puppetise, here is something you may try. For now, just stick with a two piece hand pattern - front and back. You can trace around your hand leaving plenty of space around the fingers to make your pattern - really spread your fingers wide. You don't actually want to have the pencil or pen against your fingers as you trace. I would guess you would want the pattern to be anywhere from 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches wide at the base of each finger (where it connects to the hand itself). Trace the pattern on the fabric. Lay it on top of another piece of fabric - right sides together. Machine sew the hand before you cut it out. Sew along the traced lines. That way you don't have to worry about seam allowances and how they will affect the final result. Plus it's easier to sew that way. Then cut the hand out around the stitching - careful not to snip the stitching.

Hope that helps!

 

[BuckyBits]

Not that its the best site, but consumermonster.com has a walk through with photos on "Making the Furry Glove".