How to Make a Chipmunk Puppet from a Glove

Looking for a unique and interactive way to entertain your child? Create an adorable chipmunk puppet from a brown glove.

N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for latest updates 

Steps

Creating the Puppet Template

1. 1
   Turn the glove upside down so that palm faces upward. Smooth out the fabric.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Draw lines on the glove to provide you with a sewing guide. Draw a line along the bottom near the wrist area, to section off the thumb––this will create the chipmunk’s tail.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Move from the thumb area to the next two fingers (the index and middle finger) to design the body:
   • Draw a line three quarters of the way up the index and middle finger. Stop before you get to the tip.
     
     
     
   • Draw a straight line below the fingertip. The fingertips will be used to create the chipmunk’s ears.
     
     
     
4. 4
   Create the chipmunk’s arms from the ring and pinkie finger of the glove. Section off the arms around the base of the fingers.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Build the head from the base of the pinkie and ring fingers. This will go into the palm area, next to the body.
   
   
   

Sewing the Puppet

1. 1
   Cut along the drawn lines with scissors. As you cut, try to visualize each piece coming together as the puppet; doing so will help to ensure you're cutting out the right size/shape for each piece.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Sew along the lines. Leave approximately 1/8 inch/3.1mm seam. Use brown or neutral thread to sew the pieces together.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Flip each part right side out and bend the pipe cleaners into “U” shaped pieces.
   
   
   
   • Insert the two shorter pipe cleaner pieces into the legs and the longer piece into the tail. This allows for bending the legs and tail when the chipmunk is whole.
     
     
     
4. 4
   Add stuffing to the legs, tail, body and head. Be careful not to over-stuff the body and do not stuff the ears at all.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Sew the body, arms and tail using a running stitch. Leave approximately 3/16 inch/4.7mm border for the opening.
   
   
   
   • Fold the body opening inside the top and sew closed.
6. 6
   Create the head. Fold the top over the left, right, bottom and back over the top (the same way you might fold a caramel candy wrapper). Use brown thread to close the gap and sew shut.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Fold the ears in half so they resemble chipmunk ears. Insert the ears into small openings at the top of the head. Sew into the head.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Stitch the tail. Use a backstitch to sew the tail, using differently colored threads down the middle of the tail.
   
   
   

Assembling the Chipmunk

1. 1
   Attach the head, arms and tail to the body. Lay body on a flat surface and assemble the other body parts. Use pins to hold in place while you stitch the arms, head and tail to the body.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Create two small eyes using black thread. Make the eyes small or large, to add character.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Sew a wooden bead into the base of the chipmunk’s face to create his nose. If necessary, you may want to further secure the nose in place by using fabric glue before stitching.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Finished.
   
   
   

Tips

• Add a small jacket by trying doll clothes on the chipmunk.
• Consider creating the chipmunk’s nose using thread, especially if the puppet is for a smaller child (a wooden bead may pose a choking hazard).
• Add eyebrows or a smile using thread to the chipmunk’s face.

Warnings

• This toy or display item is not suitable for children under the age of 3.

 Things You'll Need

• 1 glove made of soft material with five finger/thumb spots (not a mitten)
  
  
  
• 2 thick pipe cleaners - cut one in half (of any color)
• Thin yarn or embroidery thread (in natural colors so that they match the color of the glove)
• 1 brown wooden bead (which will become the animal’s nose)
• Cotton stuffing
• A black fabric pen
  
  
  
• 1 pair of sharp sewing scissors
• A needle suited to the thread/yarn