ecl's Kermit the Frog Puppet Replica (later builds, using my newest patterns)

[Puppeteer Artan]

Re: ecl's Kermit the Frog Puppet Replica, version 4 and 5!

This doesn’t happen everyday around here, so I took some pics:

Their necks are stuffed to keep the heads up, so it looks thicker around there than it really is; I still need to figure out some kind of stand/structure that will work better for display.

Wow, as a puppeteer i never see many good kermit the frogs hand puppets!

 

[Puppeteer Artan]

Hey all, I'm sharing this link with Ecl's blessing, I ended up combing through this and the older Kermit thread to try and create a master google doc that collected all of Ecl's posts into one long document:

ECL's Kermit Build Bible (RPF Comment Compilation) V1 - Google Doc

Over the years Ecl has posted a lot of really good tips/photos/diagrams throughout both of his threads and I personally found it really helpful to have them categorized by subject matter ("Patterns", "Hands", "Legs", "Mouth Plate", etc.). I focused primarily on this thread as I figured it had the most up to date information/diagrams, but there are a few tidbits from the older thread that I thought were useful to include as well.

My hope is that this'll be a living document, so I'll do my best to keep an eye on both threads and if any new information comes up I'll be adding it to the Google Doc.

Enjoy!

Is it a download, i would love it!

 

[KOMakesThings]

Is it a download, i would love it!

You can download the google doc if you go to "File > Download". Let me know if it doesn't work for you for some reason, but as far as I know everyone should be able to download a hardcopy

 

[Puppeteer Artan]

You can download the google doc if you go to "File > Download". Let me know if it doesn't work for you for some reason, but as far as I know everyone should be able to download a hardcopy

Thanks for the answer! If i open google doc it just automatically stands there so i really dont have to download it

 

[Green Sleeves]

Dear makers,

Having built a Kermit replica using Fuzelle, I am somewhat dissatisfied with the colour of the 'Frogzilla'. It's more appropriate for modern Kermit, but I am keen to find a colour closer to the mid 80s or Muppets Take Manhattan colour.

I particularly love the colour as shown here, by I believe the creator of the F3 fleece. I have yet to successfully make contact to determine which dye/dyes were used.

Do any of you good folk have any ideas? I am guessing that ECL was also dying to a specific colour.
I have no experience with dye, so am a bit anxious about getting into mixing and experimenting and it's also very expensive to ship fleece to my country. Ideally, I would like a colour straight out of the pot.

I have some leftover Greenzilla fuzelle, and may try dying some of those scraps to this colour.

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View this content on Instagram

 

[Puppeteer Artan]

I know its hard to do but, i should try experimenting with dying. Because if you want to have a good kermit you really need to experiment with colors. Look at the kermit you wanna make, and search for the deepest information you can find. I hope this helps!

 

[Green Sleeves]

I know its hard to do but, i should try experimenting with dying. Because if you want to have a good kermit you really need to experiment with colors. Look at the kermit you wanna make, and search for the deepest information you can find. I hope this helps!

Thanks. I have since experimented with the world of dye and am getting great results.

 

[Puppeteer Artan]

Thanks. I have since experimented with the world of dye and am getting great results.

Told you! I hope your kermit will turn out great!

 

[Tramalon]

Hey! It's been forever since I've been on this thread, but I realized that I never posted my final build of this guy. Thanks to everyone again who shared their knowledge. I could not have built my Kermit without the info on this thread.

All the best and good luck to everyone here working on their own KTF. He's worth the effort.

 

[Blitzkreig]

This thread has Inspired me to give it a go. I'm shooting for more of a sitting kermit body.
And a big yo to ecl for the great thread.

 

[BCpuppets]

Just wanted to thank you all and ECL for everything once again. Just got my latest build signed by Steve Whitmire himself and he loved my Kermit. Never give up guys, just keep building!

 

[JonathanLillo]

How do you make a replica for a Baby Kermit puppet from "The Muppets Take Manhattan?

 

[CamrynHamm]

Second Kermit I made using Ecls templates, never had sewn anything prior to working on these. They get better every time!

 

[danieljferguson]

I wish I had found this forum years ago when I first got the itch to make a Kermit puppet! I finally got around to it a few months back. I wanted to start with some anti-pill fleece from Joann in case I messed up (which I did), so this is my second version. I learned a lot and plan to make another one, mainly because this one is still a little big for my hands. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for better fabric. I got some samples from Puppet Pelts, but their stock hasn't been the best lately, and I don't think they currently have the 15oz Frog nylafleece.

 

[KOMakesThings]

I wish I had found this forum years ago when I first got the itch to make a Kermit puppet! I finally got around to it a few months back. I wanted to start with some anti-pill fleece from Joann in case I messed up (which I did), so this is my second version. I learned a lot and plan to make another one, mainly because this one is still a little big for my hands. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for better fabric. I got some samples from Puppet Pelts, but their stock hasn't been the best lately, and I don't think they currently have the 15oz Frog nylafleece.

Nice to see you show off your Kermit on the forum! As for fabric, I haven't tried it myself but others have tried the Frog Fuzzelle from Puppet Pelts, if I remember right others have mentioned it's a bit more true to "Modern" Kermit. Seems like they do have that in stock at the moment. I kinda wonder if they completely discontinued the Frog Nylafleece, there's not even an "Sold Out" listing for it on the site anymore.

I've also heard some good things about F3 Fleece recently, made by these folks (Foam, Fleece, and Fur). Never used it myself, but Puppet builders I follow really seem to like it. I'm not quite sure how it's being sold though, or if they sell pre-dyed colours or if you need to dye it yourself. I think they maybe order batches based on interest, so you need to sign up and once they have enough they put an order in to the manufacturer? Could be worth reaching out to them on Instagram (@foamfleeceandfurpuppetco) to confirm if you're interested.

 

[danieljferguson]

Nice to see you show off your Kermit on the forum! As for fabric, I haven't tried it myself but others have tried the Frog Fuzzelle from Puppet Pelts, if I remember right others have mentioned it's a bit more true to "Modern" Kermit. Seems like they do have that in stock at the moment. I kinda wonder if they completely discontinued the Frog Nylafleece, there's not even an "Sold Out" listing for it on the site anymore.

I've also heard some good things about F3 Fleece recently, made by these folks (Foam, Fleece, and Fur). Never used it myself, but Puppet builders I follow really seem to like it. I'm not quite sure how it's being sold though, or if they sell pre-dyed colours or if you need to dye it yourself. I think they maybe order batches based on interest, so you need to sign up and once they have enough they put an order in to the manufacturer? Could be worth reaching out to them on Instagram (@foamfleeceandfurpuppetco) to confirm if you're interested.

Thank you for the suggestions! I did get the Frog Fuzzelle sample, but it seemed pretty sheer, so I wasn't sure if it was the 12oz or 15oz that I received. I also didn't notice anything on their website indicating the thickness.

 

[bk85]

KOMakesThings danieljferguson Just to jump in regarding the F3 fleece, I love it!! It's my favorite of the 3 and very similar to the Malden Mills fleece used on Kermit from the late 70s until the supply ran out (though Kermit's current makers, Puppet Heap might have stock that they are still able to use). It's slightly shinier than the Malden Mills fleece, but much better than the very matte/dull Fuzzelle. It also has a tighter knit on the back of it than the Fuzzelle, making it much easier to sew with as you can get much closer to the edge than you can with Fuzzelle. It can be purchased by the yard from Dharma Trading, but it does only come in white and needs to be dyed yourself. That being said, the owner recently suggested that he's looking for additional distribution partners and hopes to eventually offer some additional colors. I was using Fuzzelle originally but after using F3, I'm never going back. And it's MUCH more affordable!!

Here's a post in my thread comparing a piece of an actual 80s/90s Kermit, with the Fisher Price Kermit hand puppet from the late 70s that used the same Malden Mills fleece, and factory dyed Fuzzelle: MM vs FP vs Fuz.

I just found out that I never posted about this in my build thread (I could have swore I did), but I also tried dying F3 and comparing it to the piece of Kermit that I have and here is what they look like in 3 lighting conditions. The F3 is the larger piece.

I hope this helps!!

 

[KOMakesThings]

KOMakesThings danieljferguson Just to jump in regarding the F3 fleece, I love it!! It's my favorite of the 3 and very similar to the Malden Mills fleece used on Kermit from the late 70s until the supply ran out (though Kermit's current makers, Puppet Heap might have stock that they are still able to use). It's slightly shinier than the Malden Mills fleece, but much better than the very matte/dull Fuzzelle. It also has a tighter knit on the back of it than the Fuzzelle, making it much easier to sew with as you can get much closer to the edge than you can with Fuzzelle. It can be purchased by the yard from Dharma Trading, but it does only come in white and needs to be dyed yourself. That being said, the owner recently suggested that he's looking for additional distribution partners and hopes to eventually offer some additional colors. I was using Fuzzelle originally but after using F3, I'm never going back. And it's MUCH more affordable!!

Here's a post in my thread comparing a piece of an actual 80s/90s Kermit, with the Fisher Price Kermit hand puppet from the late 70s that used the same Malden Mills fleece, and factory dyed Fuzzelle: MM vs FP vs Fuz.

I just found out that I never posted about this in my build thread (I could have swore I did), but I also tried dying F3 and comparing it to the piece of Kermit that I have and here is what they look like in 3 lighting conditions. The F3 is the larger piece.

View attachment 1895927View attachment 1895928View attachment 1895929

I hope this helps!!

Wow!! The photos speak for themselves, you've sold me on the F3 fleece! Here's hoping they can offer some pre-dyed colours, that or I guess I'll have to get more practice dyeing fleece.

 

[JonathanLillo]

Re: ecl's Kermit the Frog Puppet Replica, version 4!

Thanks! Here's something I wrote up that might help de-mystify a few things about the head pattern. It's still a tough process though, but it might clear up a few questions as to "how do I make it do this?".

View attachment 1475629




View attachment 805642

How many inches tall & wide is the body fleece to Kermit?

 

[GLM]

Hi all. I began my journey here a long time ago. I was particularly keen on creating a Kermit that was really intuitive and reactive to puppeteer and went through dozens of iterations (I have very small hands). I quickly came to realise that it is one thing to make a really good 'photo' or 'poser' Kermit, but an entirely different thing to have him come alive.

I also happen to be a Kermit impersonator ..

I had to put my pursuits to rest due to health reasons, but recently came back to it. I still have some tweaks and experiments to do, but I thought you might enjoy this video I made for a local movie theatre doing a Muppet Marathon. Thank you ECL once again for the guidance and inspiration.