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

[ecl]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing—he’s looking good! Has an old school feel to it, which is always fun to see.

 

[MuppetFan20]

Hey ECL! What if you have a discord server for puppet builders?

 

[MuppetFan20]

like you can make a discord server for Puppet builders like Kermit or gonzo?

 

[Gophertee]

ECL might know, but I have no clue what a discord server is. These forums are for puppet builders why would he need his own server?

 

[ecl]

Hi! I’ve honestly never really used discord, although I know some people from a game I used to play had one set up. True that these forums tend to be set up conveniently enough to share information, process, etc. I’m guessing it’s some kind of group chat kind of thing.

 

[New puppeteer]

Hi! I’ve honestly never really used discord, although I know some people from a game I used to play had one set up. True that these forums tend to be set up conveniently enough to share information, process, etc. I’m guessing it’s some kind of group chat kind of thing.

Hello, I was wondering how you got the pupils on his eyes.

 

[ecl]

For the pupils, I print out a template (basically a photo of an original Kermit’s pupil sized to actual size), and then glue it to the back of some adhesive velvet to use as a cutting guide. I simply use a sharp pair of small scissors to cut them out—not as easy as it sounds though, as you have to make some very fine cuts to make sure the shape is looking good. Then I just peel the backing off and stick them on a toothpick, which i then use to help position them correctly, and then stick them down.

Something like this:

If you have a cricut cutter, you can also just use that to easily cut them out that way. I personally prefer doing them by hand, because a lot of the originals show evidence of a slightly imperfect hand cut look. But whatever works!

 

[New puppeteer]

For the pupils, I print out a template (basically a photo of an original Kermit’s pupil sized to actual size), and then glue it to the back of some adhesive velvet to use as a cutting guide. I simply use a sharp pair of small scissors to cut them out—not as easy as it sounds though, as you have to make some very fine cuts to make sure the shape is looking good. Then I just peel the backing off and stick them on a toothpick, which i then use to help position them correctly, and then stick them down.

Something like this:

View attachment 1414546

If you have a cricut cutter, you can also just use that to easily cut them out that way. I personally prefer doing them by hand, because a lot of the originals show evidence of a slightly imperfect hand cut look. But whatever works!

Thank you very much. Do you have any patterns I should go by when making the puppet or should I make my own?

 

[Gophertee]

 

[MuppetFan20]

Yo ecl! I noticed you’ve been making puppet videos lately. But if I had one of those puppets, how much does it cost?

 

[Propguyvancouve]

Hello to ecl ! Colin here, Oustanding work on creating Kermit ! Several of them in fact. I’m in the props department here in Vancouver B.C. I’m really interested in attempting to obtain a fantastic Kermit Puppet ! Ive been doing Voice Over work throughout my career. I have been doing my own “ Kermit ” voice since 1978. and I have a small hand puppet ( Fisher Price ) ..its been fun..however Ive got a 4 year old and a 7 year old..and since Covid..well a lot more Dad time ! Ive been thinking that it would be great to have a proper full body version ! I also happen to have a number of items from a very popular show I worked on “ Battlestar Gallactica”.. I’m probably going to get ready to part with those items soonish, and I’m also open to the thought or possibility of trading. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping me achieve this goal, I would of course be grateful.
Thank you
Colin

 

[KOMakesThings]

I only just saw your post about the Robin replica in the Junkyard, I'm both sad and glad I didn't see it while it was active because I definitely would've blown my budget for the month buying him! Congrats to whoever snapped it up.

With that said, any secrets you can share regarding building him? I imagine you used your Kermit patterns as a jumping off point, but you do such a good job at building these that I'm having trouble parsing how similar Robin's build may be. Presumably the torso and head are separate just as they are for Kermit, but with a much different (and smaller) torso shape for Robin?

At least, I assume that Robin's head is separate from his torso but you're so good at hiding any and all seams that I'm doubting myself!

 

[ecl]

I only just saw your post about the Robin replica in the Junkyard, I'm both sad and glad I didn't see it while it was active because I definitely would've blown my budget for the month buying him! Congrats to whoever snapped it up.

With that said, any secrets you can share regarding building him? I imagine you used your Kermit patterns as a jumping off point, but you do such a good job at building these that I'm having trouble parsing how similar Robin's build may be. Presumably the torso and head are separate just as they are for Kermit, but with a much different (and smaller) torso shape for Robin?

At least, I assume that Robin's head is separate from his torso but you're so good at hiding any and all seams that I'm doubting myself!

It seems the Robin is very popular, even more so than I’d expected. I tend to have more fun building him than Kermit, because he’s like a simplified version of him (and who can resist how cuddly he looks ). The way I build him, i make his head and body all one piece. He’s so small that there isn’t much reason to make them in two parts.

Below is a rough idea of what my patterns generally look like. For a puppet version, the bottom would need to be modified a little. But in a way, think of Robin as a sock with a mouthplate and eyes. Basically, I started with Kermits head, made some changes to the dimensions (stubbier mouth), and then extended what would normally be a neck into a body! In this case, there would be a vertical seam running down the middle of the body, but it’s easily hidden if using nylon fleece. To give his body shape on the non puppet versions, i just use a combination of shaped foam and stuffing. I’m not even sure if his body has much shape as a puppet on the originals—sometimes he really does look like a sock—but there may have been something simple inside, but there’s naturally a lot less clearance due to his tiny size.

 

[KOMakesThings]

Thank you so much! Robin seems like a fun way to get into puppet building, a little less daunting than starting off with a full sized Kermit. Plus I just love the little guy so much, I have a ton of nostalgia for the old Frog Prince special that he first appeared in. Lotta fond memories of watching that special on VHS in my Grandma's basement... I'm gonna have to get off my butt and make myself a Robin to sit on my shelves (And then hopefully a Kermit when I feel like I've got the process down).