MOUTH HAND PUPPET
Mouth hand puppet are have three basic pieces:
1. The top of the head, which continues to form to the body. The features are first sewn or glued to the top of the head. The entire top half is decorated before attaching the other parts.
2. A large oval mouth which is folded in half. One half is attached to the top (1). The other is attached to the bottom (3), before the sides are sewn together. If a tongue is wanted, it should be attached before sewing the mouth to the top and bottom pieces.
3. The bottom of the head, which is elongated to form the bottom of the body.
Material
Presentation
Prepare a pattern for the three basic pieces: top and bottom (basically a long rectangle that is curved at one end, wide enough to make a comfortable "glove" for the forearm, ), and mouth (an oval the matches the curve of the top and bottom pieces).
Show the children how to pin the pattern on to pieces of felt. Have them cut out the pieces. They may like to have pink or red felt for the mouth.
Let them make the features on the top piece, using fabric scraps, buttons, etc., and decorate it as desired. Bold clear features give maximum impact and are visible to an audience.
Show them to match the curve of the top piece to one half of the mouth and sew them together, using a simple slip stitch (up, down around the edge, and back up).
Next they can attach the bottom piece to the mouth in the same way. Then they can sew up the side seams.
Note: It is important to attach the top half and the bottom half to the mouth, before sewing up the side seams.
Show the child how to reinforce the mouth with strong cardboard, cut slightly smaller than each half of the mouth. It is slipped inside the top and bottom to strengthen the mouth.