Suggestions For Puppet Construction Material:
Project Puppet patterns and kits. You get awesome bang for the buck here! A few patterns to choose from and top notch customer service. Expect to spend anywhere from $20 - $150 depending on how soon you can stop your self from buying more!  (click image)
Muppeteer John Kennedy's kit come with all the materials and instructions to make four Banana Buddies. About $13 (click image)
Christian puppeteer/builder Dave Privett designed this full kit for making this Baxter The Dog puppet. For $80 you get the patterns and all the materials necessary to build Baxter.(click image)
New from the folks that brought you The Foam Book and The Foam Book Videos comes The Foam Book Puppet Kits. Each of these includes everything that you need to create your own puppet "The Foam Book way." Two options - a basic kit of puppet building materials for $99.95 and a deluxe kit for $149.95 US that includes the same materials as the basic kit plus a glue gun, contact cement, spray glue and more.
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Puppet Mania book - It's packed full of photos that give you step-by-step puppet building techniques, patterns, and operating tricks that have come from John Kennedy's lifetime of Muppeteering experiences.
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Figure Making Can Be Fun - written by Michael Brose, this book explains in great detail the most popular methods for constructing Ventriloquist dummies. Lots of great information that can be applied to all types of puppet building. The section on mechanics is especially helpful if you want to add moving/blinking eyes or other types of effects to your puppets. (click image)
Made & Offered by Grey Seal. The Foam Book & Videos!  Between $20 - $60 No pattern, but you get advanced step by step show how & TONS of valuable info. I made this guy while watching the Nip & Tuck method. A Must have if your getting serious about building professional looking puppets. (click image)
A teaching DVD and booklet that includes a 90 minute video explaining how to make simple latex puppets, body part templates, puppet stage plans and tips on puppet manipulation from Noreen Young, one of Canada's most acclaimed puppetry artists. About $20 (click image to email Noreen for a copy)
Made & Offered by David Pannabecker - Armslength Videos & Puppet Kits.  I have the videos, they are excellent!  Between $80 - $225 A bit costly, but the education you get in return is priceless! (click image)
Free Simple Patterns
A how-to book with 126 pages, more than 30 color photos, and over 400 illustrations to guide you through every step of sewing! Dress up your puppets in shirts, skirts, suits, vests, pants, dresses, shoes, hats, & more. You can now download the book -- FREE  (click image)
Made & Offered by Marla's Story Time Puppets. A cool pattern that you can enlarge to the size you need.  I tested it out & made a Grover puppet for my son. As you can tell, Grover has seen his share of play time! He sort of reminds me of an old alley cat.  =)  It's really easy to make & teaches you the basics on puppet construction & design. (click image)
A reverse engineered Scooter head pattern (from a stuffed doll). Just print and build! Author ???, I can't remember who made this available on one of the puppet forums I frequent. If you know who, please tell me so I can give them credit. (click image)
A reverse engineered Kermit head pattern (from a stuffed doll). Just print and build! Author ???, I can't remember who made this available on one of the puppet forums I frequent. If you know who, please tell me so I can give them credit.  (click image)
Free Puppet Theatre Pattern

Offered by No Strings Attached - This is on my list of things to make. It looks fairly easy and sturdy. I like the fact that it can fold up for quick storage. (click link)
Puppet Building Instructions, Tips, & Diagrams:
Photo Instructions on the rubber band rod arm method. Can be used with metal type or dowel rods for puppets. Author ???, if you know who, please tell me so I can give them credit. (click image)

Offered by Fenn Productions - Photo Diagram of a rod arm method using wood and other hardware. Permanently inserted into the palm of puppets hand. (click link)

A removable arm rod of my own design that is inserted into the puppets hand. Uses doll joints, and durable gauge wire that isn't TOO easy to bend. (click link)
Awesome photos taken inside Jim Henson's workshop showing the construction of some Fraggle puppets. It's fun to zoom in & see all the neat supplies, head shapes, & tools laying around on the tables. I just had to share! (click link)

Forum where builders and puppeteers get together and discuss puppet related things including construction methods and tips. (click image)

Yet another great forum to discuss and share puppet construction methods and tips. (click image)
Offered by Terry Angus (My Idol and ex-Henson puppeteer) - Building method for blinking eyes... like Animal Muppet. (click links)
Offered By David Pannabecker (Armslength) - Photo tutorial from his video with instructions on how to build those professional looking muppet type puppet eyes. (click image)
Someone from a puppet related forum pointed out this site which shows a tutorial on how to insulate plumbing pipes or something.... but those foam tubes, cut that way, would make some pretty cool legs. I've tried it, works great! Just be sure to re-enforce the 45° cut with something (I used strips of duct tape). (click image)
How to attach wefted hair/curls to a dolls head.
Photo tutorial written and photographed by Doll Artist Sue Sizemore. Easy to apply to puppet building.
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Offered by Werevarmint.com, a tutorial on how to make your own rubber dipped noses! (click image)
A tutorial on making leather blinkers from Al Stevens. Helpful when trying to find your own method for applying this technique to puppets. (click image)
Made & Offered by The Reel Revolution Film Collective. A cool basic puppet design that is simple make. (click image)
Offered by Nicodemus Fursuit Pages - Complete step by step instructions with photos of how a Nun puppet is constructed from bare foam. Excellent building methods and an awesome character! (click image)
Offered by Sean Johnson of the Puppet 101blog that is devoted mostly (if not completely) to puppet related tutorials. Awesome stuff, check 'em out. (click image)
Offered by John Kennedy (author of Puppet Mania & previously a builder for Henson). Cool photo shots of the construction of Bunnicula. (click image)
Offered by 10001resources.com, an extensive interview with Nick Maley on the making of the popular Star Wars creature.....Yoda! Awesome set and naked Yoda pictures...yep, I said naked! (click image)
Hard To Find Puppet Building Tips & Supplies:

ANTRON FLEECE (Muppet fleece)

12oz (13.98 /yard) or 14oz (14.98 /yard).
Solid white, or ask about custom coloring.

$10 min shipping charge. 

Georgia Stage, Inc.
Kathy - info@gastage.com
Toll free ph: 800-211-8217
No minimum order quantity!

POLYURETHANE FOAM
(what David Pannabecker uses)

Product: F1845
Sheet Size: 27"x83"
1/2" thickness - $7.16/sheet
3/4" thickness - $10.74/sheet

BestWay Foam, Inc.
bestfoam@msn.com
Toll free ph: 800-688-9159

Plastic Muppet Type Eyes
(see eye tutorial above on how to use)
"Blank" 450's (ping pong ball sized)
or 650's (bit larger), & tell 'em
ya need the metal fasteners too!
Minimum Order - 1,000 pcs

Mercury Plastic Corp.
Bill Wright - merplast@aol.com
929 Utica Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11203
Ph: 718-498-5400 Fax: 718-498-5424

SCULPT OR COAT
(Multi-use coating, texture, & glaze)
Used in The Foam Book Videos
$2.50/1 Oz  up to $183.33/ 5 Gal

Online Information & Ordering

Sculptural Arts Coating, Inc.
501 Guilford Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401
Toll free ph: 800-743-0379