you have the right idea. One thing that i would do is slow down on your cutting of the felt pieces, tongue ect. Draw it out first on paper, then transfer. DO long smooth cuts, get some really good cutting scissors. Its small things like that, that will give your puppets a proffesional look. Also you don't have to sew the mouth to head pattern, that can be glued on, that away you have more control on how he turns out. Don't be scared of thinking up some new cretive ways to do things, thats what will make your work unique. keep it up.