How to Build a Custom Puppet – Part 2

This is part 2 of a 7 part video series about how I build my custom puppets. It is not meant to be a tutorial or for beginners. I don’t go into a lot of details, just outlining how I currently build most of my puppets. This series is meant to be an overview of how much supplies, tools and time it takes to build a “Muppet-y” style puppet. I’m also sharing what I’ve learned in the hopes of helping out fellow puppet builders.

I love building puppets. I build my puppets as a hobby and on a tight budget.

How to Make the Mouth

I prefer not to use the foam mouth that comes with the Project Puppet pattern. It just isn’t as durable or easy to clean, so I prefer corrugated plastic. It makes a firmer mouth for my puppets.

I also glue on bands of elastic as hand holds. This makes operating the puppet a breeze.

Small foam pieces glued onto the plastic create lips and a chin.

Part 3 is Sewing the Fleece or “Making the Skin”