**update from Adam’s wife** Below is an official GoFundMe setup by Adam's family created to support Adam’s battle with brain cancer. Thank you so much for your support. ~Maria gofund.me/e1baeb14
Hi Adam! I don’t know if you remember me, but my name is Leah and I went to Park Camp years ago and I was in your “Hobbies” class! I always had SO much fun doing all your activities, from magic tricks, to juggling, to puppeteering! Hobbies was my favorite class BY FAR. I don’t know if you’ll ever see this comment, but if you do, thank you for sparking my life long interest in the quirky hobbies that I still practice today!
The idea of using clay, then enlarging the pattern just blew my mind. I'm now in the "I want to make a puppet, but just figuring out the basics" phase. This really helped.
My father defines creativity as "Finding out for yourself why it isn't done that way." Being smarteR thaN yoU (note sarcasm "font"), I decided to skip the annoying upsizing step by molding my head full-size. After a couple of days (no kidding) of adding shreds of clay and still not having a large enough mass, I pulled off the unfinished head, set it in a bowl in front of the space heater, and shaped a smaller head - still much larger than the one you made. Getting it shaped right took a while because the whole area was too big to smooth without the pressure of my hands distorting it somewhere else. Then, when I cut the mouth out, the mass from that big full dome caused the top of the head to collapse right back to a closed mouth. So, to save all my novice puppet-building siblings out there the trouble: this is why we make a little clay model and then upsize the pattern. Btw, I also mistakenly bought medium hardness monster clay instead of soft. Don't do that, either.
Thanks for sharing! Yeah the medium can be tough for this style of pattern making. But is great for sculpting details! Feel free to download the patterns from my website too. www.AdamKreutinger.com
The further adventures of Why It's Not Done That Way: I wound up cutting three darts in the top of the pattern, radiating from the same point so it's like the triangle fabric bits that make up a baseball cap. I might have been able to do it with a single, deeper, central dart. In my defense, the guy I'm making the puppet replica of does have a really round head. (BTW, an adult human mouth is about 4/5 of the way down the face. It's easy to place it too high. The forehead is about 20% of the face area; more for younger people. A baby's head is about 50% above the eyes.) I didn't have access to an enlarging photocopier, so I drew a 1" grid over my pattern, and a 1.5" grid on craft paper, numbered rows, lettered columns, and copied the pattern at 150% by putting the same shapes in the blocks on the bigger grid that I saw in the corresponding boxes on the smaller grid. It came out just the tiniest bit off, but close enough that I could bend the foam together and even the bits that way. I could have been more accurate with a 1/2" grid on the pattern to a 3/4" grid on the craft paper (I recommend a copy shop, but if you really can't, this old-school hack will work.) The Barge's contact cement arrived crushed in its padded envelope, smelling like the nail salon from Hell. Turns out I'm super sensitive to toluene, the chemical that evaporates so rapidly it makes contact cement ultra-quick bonding. I looked for Barge's TF (toluene free), but couldn't find it locally, and reading the directions online, it doesn't set as fast as formulas with toluene. First I used Gorilla Glue. That has to be held/clamped together for 15 minutes to set, which means I got glue on my fingers (it scraped/washed off after three days) and left a raised "scar" at the seams, which can mostly, but not entirely, be trimmed off with scissors. They're going to be under hair eventually so that's OK. After spending 45 minutes gluing together the three darts on the top of one side of the head, I went to ACE hardware and picked up Pliobond 25, a toluene free contact cement that says it's "VOC compliant" (volatile organic chemicals, for those playing at home.) This requires two coats (for porous surfaces) with 5 minutes drying time in between, followed by a third coat on one side and then an immediate bond. And that's where I am so far. More on this story as we get it. Could you put together a full list of everything needed? Like craft paper at least 12" wide, pencil, marker, masking tape, exacto knife, scissors, lid of a storage container, tin snips, cheese grater, stand (and what you put across the top of the pipe; I shoved the clay down inside while molding the head), sand paper...and a link for that awesome clear ruler would be good. I got a quilting ruler at JoAnn's Fabric. I find myself frustrated by halting to get common things I just don't have on hand.
In our next episode, we will cover: "A well ventilated area; why outdoors on a gusty day is not your best bet for spray adhesive and contact cement" and "What is a harelip? Why you should start gluing head hemispheres together at the front." We may touch on "Why does my puppet head look like a fish?" but I don't know the answer yet. I think I may have gone past the midline with my pattern so that, when the two "halves" are joined, they extend further forward than they should.
Read this comment before watching the video. Thought it was rude. Started the video. One minute later when he pulled out the cheese grater my attention snapped back to the video and I had an “ah ha” moment.
thank goodness. I was going to buy a pattern, but from the looks of it I can make my own! Thank you so much for making these tutorials!!!!! it's so sweet of you.
I watched all of your tutorials on puppet making in one day and the next day I made my very first puppet and he turned out Amazing! Thank you Adam for taking the time to make these tutorials
Thanks for making this series and sharing your approach. We made reference to some of your techniques when we made Professor Silly Bob, the mad scientist puppet for our new channel.
I am making a puppet for a Puppetry for Film independent study, and these videos will really help me with the assembly! I have taken notes on at least 10 of your videos.
Thank you, Adam! I just made the puppet head using an old foam mat I refused to throw out for years because i knew it would have a purpose some day. It worked! Seems it wanted to be a puppet! You have made my weekend. So excited to see the creature that emerges with the help of your fantastic videos. Have a lovely day! And thanks again!
These tutorials are fantastic and have been invaluable for me through this lockdown. Thank you so much for sharing your skills with us Adam!(Although I live alone and I think my family and friends are starting to worry at the growing puppet collection and my sanity)
@@mkaikuroh I did actually make a couple of little puppet videos where they were singing along to songs, but I lost confidence and made them private 😅.
Adam - you are a hero, and this series is 100% gold. Your explanation of your process gave me the inspiration to take on a ridiculous puppet task a few months back, and it turned out absolutely fantastic (I recreated 15 of the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as puppets for a local Buffy festival). Years ago I remember learning to sew costumes from a grouchy seamstress, and 95% of what you learned was unspoken just from watching her process, her thinking, her habits. I feel the same way watching you work. Rewatching these videos 2 months later, I realize how much I still need to learn-
A year ago I decided to give this a go and made my first puppet… big red Rufus now exists after weeks of hard work. A year later and now I’m going to make him some friends to play. This is my therapy, what keeps me going. Thank you so much for being the inspiration and changing my path in life, I wish that that scary monster you’re fighting right now goes away and never dares to come back. We need you in this world, to keep spreading happiness, knowledge and inspiration ❤️
Я просто не могу не прокомментировать. Вы суперский мастер. Мало того вы учите составлять выкройки, ещё и показываете как шить саму куклу плюс дарите выкройки у вас самые лучшие куклы. Благодарю вас. Я очень рада, что посмотрела ваши видео.
Fantastic!! We bought all the material (I think) let's start today, me and my wife, for my daughter's one year anniversary. Florianópolis-Brasil. Thank you.
i want to say thank you for your tutorial they are so informative and no body shares the information like you. and in real time so we can follow you as you go. I'm in the process of making a couple of puppets one from your pattern, with some creative add on and two from scratch from what i have learnt from watching you and using my imagination I'm enjoying the creativity will share my pics once I'm finished. thank you
This is absolutely the fundamentals of all patterning for foam shapes, explained as clearly as possible. I've started experimenting with more complex sculpts and you quickly learn where to make your cuts by doing it and becomes instinctual, but generally it's peaks and valleys, just like Adam's shown. It gets trickier when your pattern overlaps, but if you've gradually challenged yourself, you problem solve that pretty easily [a separate piece, spiraling etc]. More complex shapes just take more time. For scaling up, I've used my monitor to zoom in on a scanned pattern and VERY lightly and carefully traced it. I've also tried a video projector for huge patterns, but that's only because I already had the projector of course and an overhead projector works, but cheap video projectors are a thing now [plus you can watch movies on your ceiling while laying in bed].
Recently picked up a bunch of different mini projects that are all going into one larger project, including puppet making and 3d modeling. Now I've had my first time noticing how these two things overlap because, when you make the tape pattern over the clay model, you're essentially just doing the real world version of UV mapping a 3d model! I just find that neat (also it means I dont need to go out and buy clay because I can just 3d model it instead hehe)
My toy sewing business is ready for expansion, but first, I have to create my own unique teddy patterns which is soooo difficult! This video is really bloody good! Thanks!
I used your patterns and videos to make my first puppet. Thank you so much. My granddaughter is going to love it. I added an opening body so she could reach the mouth.
This was super suPER helpful for me!! I've been wanting to make some puppets of my own lately (and some recreations of Muppets) and this really helps a ton
Hi Adam, you are so talented.. Thank you so much for the step by step tutorial, truly fantastic!! was wondering if 1" foam would also work with your patterns?
I learned a lot from you, and I liked your work style and simple explanation .. Thank you. The first experience that was not very successful, but after I followed your videos, it will become better. I hope so ... and the puppet that I am making now is a bulb.
As an artist, I prefer very hands on vs using tools (e.g.sewing machines vs hand sewing) ...this whole video was all the satisfying things. (as are your others) I had never thought of 'making' puppets...but now I cant think of anything more wonderful to try. Cannot wait to creep out my friends with a house full of puppets :) heehee
Hi Adam, I have just cut and glued my puppet head together using your basic pattern. I made it 120% larger to accommodate a large hand, therefor the mouth plate is about 6 inches. Can you please show us how to do the mouth plate using wood (or whatever you use for larger mouths). Thank you so much your video's are awesome!! the best out there!
I’m trying to make a Kermit puppet, Kermit is my favorite thing ever. No joke! I wanna say thank you for making this it’s very useful! It helped me a lot! Bye! ^^
Adam, I'm having a hard time getting the Weldwood Contact cement to keep the foam pieces glued together. It says it glues on contact, but it doesn't. Should I hold it for an extended period? In your video, you didn't seem to have to do that.
Hi there! I used some of your techniques to make Chain Chomp puppets for my Chompette cosplay. They were a huge hit at the anime convention I went to this weekend. Thanks for your help with this! :D
Great content - do you have any tutorials or suggestions for how to make a wearable head? Trying to mimic a muppets character for Halloween. Thank you!
I’ve just downloaded the patterns for this from your website, & hope to start construction today. Do I need to make the website patterns bigger or are they already at the right size? Thanks!
Adam this is great video. Thank you for posting it. I can finally do the pattern I want with out it being free hand. I can now finish my present for my in-laws.
Hi Adam. I plan on sewing the mouth by hand. I'm guessing I wouldn't leave a seam allowance. If there is no seam allowance for the mouth, do you have any tips for gluing the mouth on the mouth plate?
Hey adam first time puppet maker here! 😆 I don’t know if you’ll ever see this but I’m having trouble tracing my mouth pattern from my foam head I made do you have any tips? Also I was wondering why you cut 1/2 in off the mouth plate pattern? 😅 If you see this please respond, Your videos are very helpful thanks!😊
Love your videos and tutorials - very generous of you to do this! I have downloaded your patterns in the past but I'm having problems now. Is there somewhere else I can find these? AGAIN THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!
this man talks about softening the clay with various things such as, heat guns, ovens, and microwaves, followed by him whipping out a cheese grater out of the quantam realm like what-
Thanks Adam your videos are easy to follow and excellent to learn from!!! I struggled a bit with attempting to machine stitch the fabric mouth plate in....but not bad for my first try 😎 thanks for the awesome how to content videos looking forward to more new videos from ya.... Thanks teach!!!
I took a screenshot of the pattern that you made and saved it on my Cricut, now I can cut it out with my Cricut. I have to cut the foam out by hand, but I can use the pattern again if I need it for covering.(skin)
Good day! Hopefully you’re having a great one. Enjoy your vids. What is the difference in reticulated foam and upholstery foam. And which one is best or are they the same?
I was also trying to find the answer on how do you determine what foam to use for your puppets? I am looking around the fabric stores around my home and they only carry upholstery foam but I see that you use the reticulated foam as well and I think EVA foam. How do you determine what foam to use for your puppets. Is it based on the purpose? Everyday use, tv commercials, plays, ect? Sorry for back to back question! Thanks.
I just watched this whole series and I just want to ask before I get busy on my own. For the mouth plates, could we use gasket rubber instead of bin plastic to give the puppet more facial expressions? Just curious.
Adam, say you are gluing a nose or something onto your fleece skin, what glue do you recommend is strong enough? Also, what glue would go directly onto the foam if need be? A multi purpose glue that you use would be great to know about. Lastly, do you ever even glue things like eyes and noses onto your fleece skin to begin with? Thank you so much for all help
Love this video you have so much energy and enthusiasm (can I get some of that too). I''m trying to cover the head I've made in fleece but have issues with the pattern not working out. I have tried following a previous video of yours but I must be missing something. Are you able to point me in the right direction. Cheers, and keep the videos coming.
Great video. Question though, How would I mold an animal nose and side checks like a raccoon? Could I use this same technique or would I have to do some extra sewing/gluing for the creases?
As a person who had worked in factory settings for years when younger I cant not stress enough to use Proper protective equipment and a well ventilated area when working with any harmful substances. I am talking about glues aerosol or applied by hand types. Anything that off gases or you might think can cause a issue with your help PLEASE research online the proper way to handle anything you are suspicious of. And when anything you are working on is drying let it dry in an area where no one is around maybe a garage or someplace safe. During the drying process fumes can linger in your breathable air! Please be safe. ADAM HAS EXPRESSED THIS STUFF MANY MANY TIMES in the past and it can not be said enough.
Hello! Great tutorial! I've made 2 puppets using this method. I've found that when you are doing another layer of tape pieces, it's easy to forget which layer is which, making thin spots in your pattern proto which can tear and ruin it. I scribble a colored sharpie on the finished layer so I can distinguish it from the last layer. Quick question tho; why shouldn't I use this same pattern to cut the felt cover?
So I have a new question regarding mouthplates: do either contact cement or spray adhesive work on gasket rubber? Because hot glue certainly doesn't - peels right off after it dries. I've heard the suggestions of soaking the gasket rubber in rubbing alcohol as sort of a "pre-treatment" as it were.
