Handmade Puppets

This week my 7 year old decided it was time for her to learn how to sew. We decided it would be fun for her to learn a few hand sewing stitches so we went to the craft store and bought a few things to make a couple of puppets. Can I just tell you how proud I was of my little girl. When we walked out of the craft store she looked up into my eyes, which isnt a far look up since she is almost as tall as I am :), and said Mummy, in her cute little british accent which I could never pull off being American, You know the craft store is just like a bit of Heaven to me. I think I literally wiped a tear of joy off my cheek as I squeezed her :)

Anyway enough sappy proud mommy moments. We decided to make a moneky puppet this week. Next week its a Zebra. Im going to put step by step instructions here and have to apologise in advance for the lack of pictures. See because I was helping her sew hers and sewing one for my little boy at the same time I didnt really get a chance to take many pictures, but next week when we do the Zebra I will try harder!

Here is what you will need:



Dark brown A4 felt x 4
Cream A4 felt x 1
Light brown A4 felt x 1
Contrasting felt for inner ears and accessories
Embroidery thread
Embroidery needle
Eyes
Scissors


Monkey Puppet Instructions:

1. Using the template cut out all the required pieces.

2. Sew the inner ears to the outer ears then sew the tummy onto the body and sew the arms together.

3. Put the ears in place (as marked) between the face and back pieces of felt. Pin all layers together and then sew using a simple overstitch.

4. Fold the mouth piece in half and stitch along folded edge with a running stitch. This prevents the mouth opening too wide and getting stuck.

5. Sew the bottom lip to the body (B to B), then the top lip to the nose (A to A).

6. Lay the body on top of the back and line up the nose with the face (C to C), overlapping the felt by about 1cm. The body will be longer than the back at the base of the puppet.

7. Stitch the nose to the face then attach the eyes. You can use buttons, felt shapes, beads or teddy bear eyes. Note: where you place the eyes really alters the character of the puppet.

8. Start sewing each side of the body together inserting the arms about 5 cm down from the mouth.

9. Decorate your puppet by making hats, necklaces, glasses or other accessories of your choice.

Doesnt my little moneky just look so happy with his little monkey? ;)