I need to know how to make hand puppets that will last awhile

[mommyof2kids]

Cathryn was asking last night if I could make her hand puppets so she can play with them with PJ when he is in his crib, and stuff, I really dont know how to sew, I have a machine but not sure if I culd even thread it right, Can someone please help?

thanks

[khrisday]

I made some really simple ones with felt (try to find the kind that actually has some wool in it rather than all synthetic).
I used my hand as start for the pattern, tracing it on a piece of paper and then drawing a head and hands shape around it. I just stitched around the whole puppet with embroidery floss by hand- kind of whipstitching the edges. Felt is nice because raw edges can show and they won't unravel. I used some fabric paint for faces, and tacked on some doll hair. I was going to do a three pigs or three bears set of these for Yule gifts for nephews.
Hope that helps.

[mommyof2kids]

It does, thank you...

I am going to go tonight and get some and see what happens, I was very excited, because normally she ignores her brother, lol.. but last night and today she has been trying like crazy to "play" with him...

[wemberly]

My mom made some from hand towels when I was a kid--she embroidered the faces, but it would b e easy enough to add felt features, or use fabric pens on them. The puppets are 25 years old, and they're still in great shape!

paige

[AnnR33]

You'll probably have to go to a quilt/crafters store or higher end fabric store to find wool felt. It will definitely last longer and won't stretch like the cheap stuff at JoAnns or Hancocks.
You can also use old jeans or other heavy fabric-an old wool sock?
Good luck,
Ann

[khrisday]

Our Joanne's now carries actual wool felt (not 100% of course) along with the "craft felt"