Prop-Maker
Well-Known Member
I remember saying someone could easily make their own Kermit when MR announced theirs. I was right, too. Great job. If needed, I can imitate Kermit very well. 
My Kermit the Frog puppet
- Thread starter Lynn TXP 0369
- Start date
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prop-Maker @ Apr 24 2006, 10:38 PM) [snapback]1232558[/snapback]</div>
:lol
Thanks..
I wouldn't say it is easy.
It has taken me a while to get the body pattern down and I had to resew it a few times.
I'll probably end up making several until I get it to where I want it, then I'll have to figure out what to do with the extras. :lol
Lynn
I remember saying someone could easily make their own Kermit when MR announced theirs. I was right, too. Great job. If needed, I can imitate Kermit very well.
[/b]
:lol
Thanks..
I wouldn't say it is easy.
It has taken me a while to get the body pattern down and I had to resew it a few times.
I'll probably end up making several until I get it to where I want it, then I'll have to figure out what to do with the extras. :lol
Lynn
spcglider@aol.com
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lynn TXP 0369 @ Apr 9 2006, 04:40 PM) [snapback]1223039[/snapback]</div>
As an experienced puppet builder, I can tell you that you're really doing well with your intuitive construction.
As for making a pattern with papier mache, I would suggest that instead of using something that will get really hard, try using many many many overlapping strips of DUCT TAPE (yes, another use for the world's most popular sticky stuff) on the balloon. It is more flexible and will be easier to flatten when you cut it apart.
If you continue making puppets, you will eventually move to using real "antron" fleece. You have to dye it yourself as it comes in white. There's a company called "Georgia Stage" that carries it (or at least, carries the new replacement for it as the ANTRON company stopped making the original).
Another great secret for really fluid puppet building is that you can get red rubber toilet gasket in sheets from your local hardware store. Buy the stuff off the roll... its a billion percent cheaper than the pre-cut stuff in packages. That's what the Muppets use for their mouth palettes lined with Ultra Suede. You'll need to use barge cement or contact adhesive to put it together, but it's great stuff.
You obviously have a talent for understanding how to make a pattern, which is very good. And you're able to translate 3-D forms into workable flat pieces.
Another tip: If you have access to a decent photocopier, you can size up images of Kermit to gain rough measurements for his body size, arm diameter and length, neck length, etc. Its a good way of maintaining proportions that you like.
Keep it up. Nice work.
-Gordon
WWW.PUPPETFORGE.COM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gonk27 @ Apr 10 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]1223594[/snapback]</div>
When Jim had Kermit on his gigantic meat hooks, there was no padding at all. When someone else had to puppet Kermit, they had a little foam bit they would slide in and pad him up so his head didn't look like it was caving in.
-Gordon
As an experienced puppet builder, I can tell you that you're really doing well with your intuitive construction.
As for making a pattern with papier mache, I would suggest that instead of using something that will get really hard, try using many many many overlapping strips of DUCT TAPE (yes, another use for the world's most popular sticky stuff) on the balloon. It is more flexible and will be easier to flatten when you cut it apart.
If you continue making puppets, you will eventually move to using real "antron" fleece. You have to dye it yourself as it comes in white. There's a company called "Georgia Stage" that carries it (or at least, carries the new replacement for it as the ANTRON company stopped making the original).
Another great secret for really fluid puppet building is that you can get red rubber toilet gasket in sheets from your local hardware store. Buy the stuff off the roll... its a billion percent cheaper than the pre-cut stuff in packages. That's what the Muppets use for their mouth palettes lined with Ultra Suede. You'll need to use barge cement or contact adhesive to put it together, but it's great stuff.
You obviously have a talent for understanding how to make a pattern, which is very good. And you're able to translate 3-D forms into workable flat pieces.
Another tip: If you have access to a decent photocopier, you can size up images of Kermit to gain rough measurements for his body size, arm diameter and length, neck length, etc. Its a good way of maintaining proportions that you like.
Keep it up. Nice work.
-Gordon
WWW.PUPPETFORGE.COM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gonk27 @ Apr 10 2006, 12:35 PM) [snapback]1223594[/snapback]</div>
When Jim had Kermit on his gigantic meat hooks, there was no padding at all. When someone else had to puppet Kermit, they had a little foam bit they would slide in and pad him up so his head didn't look like it was caving in.
-Gordon
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
Thanks for the tips Gordon.. They will help alot.
Yes, it is pain to try and figure out patterns for this thing, I have made at least 4 patterns to get the body where it is now and I think I still need to tweek it a bit.
I started a third and larger Kermit head this morning, I changed my mouth pattern to make it less pointed, I want to steer it away from the Fisher Price patter a bit as that is what I'm using for the head, I will see how that works out.
I was going to use the Antron fleece for my Kermit, but from pics I have seen and the info the guys had on the MCF Kermit was made with a more traditional fleece as he was more pilly. Antron seems to be less pilly.
I have seen replica Kermits made in Antron, including MR's, and it dosn't look right like he did on the MS in the 70's, that is look I want. The newer movie Kermits may be made in Antron, but apprently not the older MS Kermits.
I will have to adjust my body pattern just a little bit, I'll know better when I get the arms and legs on this one. I'll probably end giving this one to my daughter as she loves him.
When I get it tweeked a bit more it should look a bit better.
Thanks again,
Lynn
Yes, it is pain to try and figure out patterns for this thing, I have made at least 4 patterns to get the body where it is now and I think I still need to tweek it a bit.
I started a third and larger Kermit head this morning, I changed my mouth pattern to make it less pointed, I want to steer it away from the Fisher Price patter a bit as that is what I'm using for the head, I will see how that works out.
I was going to use the Antron fleece for my Kermit, but from pics I have seen and the info the guys had on the MCF Kermit was made with a more traditional fleece as he was more pilly. Antron seems to be less pilly.
I have seen replica Kermits made in Antron, including MR's, and it dosn't look right like he did on the MS in the 70's, that is look I want. The newer movie Kermits may be made in Antron, but apprently not the older MS Kermits.
I will have to adjust my body pattern just a little bit, I'll know better when I get the arms and legs on this one. I'll probably end giving this one to my daughter as she loves him.
When I get it tweeked a bit more it should look a bit better.
Thanks again,
Lynn
vaderdarth
Master Member
Antron predates the original muppet show from what I understand and supposedly it was used on that show too. True that the "new" Antron isn't as pilly as the older material..........it's still a good choice as you can brush the seams to hide them. Regular pilly fleece won't hide seams very well. Just a thought.
Lookin great by the way.
I suggest when making these parts..........that you machine stitch the most visible seams.........and then place the material over your foam forms............then pull to tighten the shape and turn under and hand stitch the final seam. This makes for a more "finished" look to the muppet. And doing the hand stitching allows you to pull tighter the areas that have excess fabric.
Dave
Lookin great by the way.
I suggest when making these parts..........that you machine stitch the most visible seams.........and then place the material over your foam forms............then pull to tighten the shape and turn under and hand stitch the final seam. This makes for a more "finished" look to the muppet. And doing the hand stitching allows you to pull tighter the areas that have excess fabric.
Dave
spcglider@aol.com
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(vaderdarth @ Apr 25 2006, 09:51 PM) [snapback]1232989[/snapback]</div>
Antron fleece can be "groomed" in many many fashions. You actually can make it pilly if you want. Just run it through the wash and toss it in the dryer. Boy... it WILL pill. I usualy don't want that so I let it hang dry after dyeing.
Something else to know (and I'm about to completely blow a trade secret here): The secret "muppet stitch" is really just a baseball stitch. There's no seam allowance. It pulls the raw-cut edges of the fabric together and secures them. Then you fluff the nap up and trim it if you need to and the seam goes away. It takes some practice to get the feel for how you fluff the nap, but once you get it its really cool.
To see some of my puppets, visit WWW.PUPPETFORGE.COM and click on the archive section.
-Gordon
Antron predates the original muppet show from what I understand and supposedly it was used on that show too. True that the "new" Antron isn't as pilly as the older material..........it's still a good choice as you can brush the seams to hide them. Regular pilly fleece won't hide seams very well. Just a thought.
Lookin great by the way.
I suggest when making these parts..........that you machine stitch the most visible seams.........and then place the material over your foam forms............then pull to tighten the shape and turn under and hand stitch the final seam. This makes for a more "finished" look to the muppet. And doing the hand stitching allows you to pull tighter the areas that have excess fabric.
Dave
[/b]
Antron fleece can be "groomed" in many many fashions. You actually can make it pilly if you want. Just run it through the wash and toss it in the dryer. Boy... it WILL pill. I usualy don't want that so I let it hang dry after dyeing.
Something else to know (and I'm about to completely blow a trade secret here): The secret "muppet stitch" is really just a baseball stitch. There's no seam allowance. It pulls the raw-cut edges of the fabric together and secures them. Then you fluff the nap up and trim it if you need to and the seam goes away. It takes some practice to get the feel for how you fluff the nap, but once you get it its really cool.
To see some of my puppets, visit WWW.PUPPETFORGE.COM and click on the archive section.
-Gordon
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
New pics up 5-21.
Lynn
Lynn
vaderdarth
Master Member
Lynn,
this one nailed it... Get some of that self adhesive backed black craft foam and cut out the "pupil" pattern just like you have it on the eyes.........then stick it in place. It worked great on the one I made. If there is a choice of the foam........choose the thinnest they have.
Dave
this one nailed it... Get some of that self adhesive backed black craft foam and cut out the "pupil" pattern just like you have it on the eyes.........then stick it in place. It worked great on the one I made. If there is a choice of the foam........choose the thinnest they have.
Dave
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
Thanks..
So he looks pretty good???
Thanks for the pupil tip..
I heard of people using the black velcro dots for the pupils as Kermits eyes were supposedly flocked like a GI Joe head.
Do you got pics of your Kermit? I would love to see them. Feel free to post them here.
Now I gotta start back on the body, I got an old football that I will base my pattern on.
Lynn
So he looks pretty good???
Thanks for the pupil tip..
I heard of people using the black velcro dots for the pupils as Kermits eyes were supposedly flocked like a GI Joe head.
Do you got pics of your Kermit? I would love to see them. Feel free to post them here.
Now I gotta start back on the body, I got an old football that I will base my pattern on.
Lynn
Boba Frett
Sr Member
Looks great , can't wait to see it completed.
, can't wait to see it completed.
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
:lol, Thanks..
I don't know if it is that good, but thanks.
I tweeked him a bit more since these pics, I think I got a little closer.
I hope to start the body today.
VaderDarth, I would like to see pics of the Kermit you made.
Lynn
I don't know if it is that good, but thanks.
I tweeked him a bit more since these pics, I think I got a little closer.
I hope to start the body today.
VaderDarth, I would like to see pics of the Kermit you made.
Lynn
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
The head has been fine tuned a little more.
I may do a little more fine tuning, but I think it is looking pretty good now.
Lynn
I may do a little more fine tuning, but I think it is looking pretty good now.
Lynn
Lynn TXP 0369
Sr Member
Here is Kermit with his body on.
It is made from fabric store cusion foam and wrapped with duct tape and stuffed with cotton batting to get the shape.
The Antron fleece is two peices stretched tight and hand sewn to the body.
The wires for the arms and legs will allow for some possability.
He's getting there..
Enjoy,
Lynn
It is made from fabric store cusion foam and wrapped with duct tape and stuffed with cotton batting to get the shape.
The Antron fleece is two peices stretched tight and hand sewn to the body.
The wires for the arms and legs will allow for some possability.
He's getting there..
Enjoy,
Lynn
