[Illustration: Fig. 1 · Fig. 2 · Fig. 3 · Fig. 4]
The puppets shown on the following pages are basically those in which
the mouth is made to move by the action of the hand. In making these
puppets keep in mind that ample room must be left over and under the
mouth piece for the fingers to operate freely to obtain the maximum
facial expressions. Do not use staples, pins or other sharp objects to
hold pieces together since they are apt to cut the hand or fingers. Make
the puppets large enough so that they can be easily slipped on and off
by the child or adult using them.
STEP NO. 1: Tuck the heel of the sock to make a straight tubular piece.
STEP NO. 2: Cut the foot of the sock as shown by the dotted lines.
STEP NO. 3: Turn the sock inside out and cut a piece of red material the
shape of the mouth opening. Also cut a matching piece from cardboard.
Sew the red material to the sock with an overhand stitch or use your
sewing machine.
STEP NO. 4: Turn the sock right side out. Fold the cardboard piece in
half and insert in the sock.
STEP NO. 5: Add features such as button eyes, nose, hair and so forth.
ANIMATION: Most talking puppets are operated by placing the thumb under
the bottom cardboard piece and the fingers over the upper piece. Open
and close the hand to make the puppet talk. Twisting the hand will give
a variety of facial expressions and moving the arm about will add to the
illusion.