How to Make Puppet Hair Out of Felt

Turn felt into strands of puppet hair.

No standards exist for puppet fabrication. Puppets are made from almost any malleable craft material, from simple paper or stick puppets, to more life-like puppets made from polystyrene foam or plastic. Your imagination is your guide in making puppet features such as skin color, eyes and hair. Felt is an ideal material for use in puppet-making because it comes in a variety of colors and is soft to touch; in addition, you can cut into any shape desired. Cut felt into a shaggy hairdo for your puppet.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Felt sheet, any color
• Scissors
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Measure the distance from the top of the puppet's head to the lowest point that you want the hair to reach. For example, measure the distance from the top of the puppet head to its neck.

2. Cut the felt into strips that are the length you determined in Step 1. Make 1/4-inch marks across the width of the strip; cut the felt in straight lines down the length to make the strands of hair.

3. Squeeze glue on the tip of the felt in 1/2-inch lines and then press the glue-side down on the puppet head. Repeat this process to lay the first layer of hair around the puppet head. Place the felt strands directly onto the puppet head and allow to dry before adding additional strands.

4. Start the second layer of hair, placing the felt strands on top of the first layer. Position the felt strands in between the first layer to cover any gaps that show the puppet's head. Allow the glue to dry; repeat this step to make the puppet's hair as full or "thick" as you like.

References

• Scruffy Plume Press: Easy to Make Puppets
• Creative Ministry Solutions: How to Give Your Puppet a Makeover

Resources

• Felt Crafts: History of Feltmaking: What Is Wool Felt?