Deer
Hand Puppet
These hand puppets require a limited amount of sewing to make the mitten portion of
the puppets. All remaining parts are glued. I prefer using hot glue, but other glues can
be used. Because felt is porous I would advise sliding a piece of aluminum foil inside the
mitt part, so the glue doesn’t bled thru if using a liquid glue.
Read thru the directions before beginning.
I am a fan of using freezer paper for printing my patterns. Freezer paper has a waxy
coating on one side that forms a temporary bond when ironed onto your felt to hold the
pattern in place. It’s especially helpful when cutting small pieces. The puppet patterns
tend to have larger pieces so it is possible to make them without using freezer paper but
once you have tried it you will love it. Separate instructions have been included for
freezer paper use.
SUPPLIES
• Felt - assorted colors of felt. Patterns have been designed so that they can be
made with felt squares (9” x 12”) For each puppet body you would need 2
squares. Additional squares would be need for the face, ears, tail, or other
details.
• Eyes – I used felt pieces for all the eyes however if decided you could purchase
glue on wiggle eyes.
• Fine line permanent marker – black (not needed for all puppets)
• Iron to attach patterns to your felt if using freezer paper for patterns.
• Hot glue gun and glue or other glue of your choice.
• Tweezers – Highly recommended for gluing small pieces – your fingers will thank
you especially if using hot glue. This is the type that I use.
• Freezer paper – I highly recommend using freezer paper to print my patterns.
What makes my patterns unique is the detailing and I can do that is because I use
small pieces and layering, and the freezer paper is the best option for cutting
those small pieces.
A note on stiffened felt: If you are able to get stiffened felt I would
recommend using it for things line antlers and large horns. I find it’s easier to
get black and white so what I will sometimes do is back those pieces with one
of those colors to give the pieces body and keep them from flopping.
Let’s Get Started! General Puppet Body Construction
• There are 2 pieces for the body pattern(left
side and right side). Print the pieces and
tape together down the center line.
• If sewing by hand cut 2 body sections, pin
together and the sew all around the body
leaving the bottom of the puppet open.
• If sewing my machine, I recommend cutting
1 body section.
• Remove the pattern and pin the body piece
to the remaining felt, trim leaving about ¼”
extended beyond the first body section. The reason I advise doing it this way is
because felt tends to stretch a bit when you’re sewing it, and this will save you
aggravation in the long run.
• Before stitching, insert the paws, hooves,
hands, or claws as shown in the center
photo. When inserting paws make sure
the thumbs are pointed up.
• Stitch 1/4” along the edge of the puppet
body, backtacking at ends and pivoting at
corners, stitching over the inserted hands
or paws.
• Trim away the excess from the backing to
complete the mitt part of the puppet.
• Make all the puppet bodies using these
intructions.
• When gluing head to body glue as shown in photo (rear view of pig’s head).
Deer
• If using felt squares you will need 3 square of
main color, 2 for body 1 for face & ears.
• Assemble body and hooves as in general
directions then set aside.
• For antlers, I backed them by gluing them to
stiffened felt and them cutting out.
• Use marking to position antlers and glue them to
rear of the face.
• Next assemble the inner ear to the outer ear
pieces, then use markings on face pattern for
placement and glue to the rear of the head.
• Glue nose, eyes and blaze to face.
• Draw mouth as shown in photo.
• Position head on the puppet body and glue in place.
