Amazing Soft Giant Dragon Shoulder Puppet!

Who doesn't love a good myth or legend?!

These kind of dragon puppets I have seen quite a lot, and they always look fantastic. The only problem I have found is that no one actually has proper instructions on how to make them! I have come to the conclusion that this is simple because everyone who makes them has their own style. This does not matter too much if you are super crafty, as all the bases are the same.

This is just going to be a basic run through of how to make a dragon puppet, I will do an updated Instrucable soon when I make another one, so I can do photos of the process and an in-depth tutorial.

***PRE-WARNING***
You will want to PRACTICE with the head once you have have made it! HOLDING YOUR ARM UP FOR THE DRAGON'S HEAD HURTS. It can put strain on your shoulder and will tire you out fast. Practice holding your arm up in the position that you want the dragon to be in, with the head on. If you have add-ons, such as antlers, horns, flowers, etc. put them on before practicing. TRUST ME the antlers on my dragon made the head weigh a lot more.

• Paper and pens to make a reference and to trace the pattern for the head.
• Masking tape
• Measuring tape
• Scissors - a sharp pair to cut the fabric and another to cut paper and tape
• Craft knife/boxcutter/scalpel
• Cloth/faux fur/blanket for the body. You will need a lot, plus more to cover the head. I used a king single sized blanket with a slight fur.
• Stuffing for the body sock, such as an old pillow
• Cardboard for the head base
• Sewing machine - or if you can't sew just glue the fabric.
• Hot glue gun
• Spray glue OR just stick with the hot glue gun if you don't have any (no pun intended)
• Paint and brushes
• Modge Podge OR clear dry glue
• An old hoodie/one you are willing to sacrifice.

• OPTIONAL: Add-ons such as antlers, horns, flowers, vines, fake gems, etc. I used three strings of fake vines and flowers from the dollar store, and made antlers to go on.
• Consider doing a costume to go with the dragon, but remember you need the hoodie to complete the illusion!

First off you need a reference. I started this sketch and it turned out WAY different to the finished product, but it certainly helped! The photo also has the head in it, as I had started work on it.

Start by free handing a head design on a piece of A3 paper. Mark out where the jaw, the nostrils and the eye will be. Cut these out and trace them onto the cardboard. Flip the pattern over and trace again to make the other side.

Holding the head pieces on a slight angle, measure the distance that is between the two pieces. Then measure the top of the head piece by pressing the measuring tape along the top. Make sure to get any dips measured. Using these measurements, construct a piece of cardboard to be the top of the head.

Once you have cut out the top, hot glue it into place. Trim off the excess.

Now just trace the upper mouth onto the cardboard, then cut and glue into place.

Basically repeat these steps for the bottom jaw.

In order to make the moving jaw, the lower jaw must fit into the upper jaw by making the lower slightly smaller. Line up the both backs and put a piece of strong duct tape along the inside of the mouth, joining both pieces. To make the handholds, hot glue in a small strip of elastic to the top (big enough to fit your fingers) and on the bottom (big enough for your thumb).

Now you have the base for you dragon head!

First measure the length of your arm that will be puppeteering the dragon from the shoulder to your wrist. Then measure the length across your shoulders, and then down your front from the opposite shoulder to wherever you want the dragon's tail to end. Add these all together and that is the length your dragon's bodysock will be!

Fold the blanket/material in half and lay it on the floor. If it is not long enough, try folding it another way. Freehand draw the shape of the body (I've included a rough demo picture) and then cut out the two pieces.

Sew them together with the good sides facing inwards (if your fabric doesn't have a good side, don't worry) BUT DO NOT SEW THE FLAT TOP EDGE TOGETHER. This is where your hand will come out to puppet the dragon head. Pull the 'sock' inside out and lay on the ground. Lay yourself down on the ground with your wrist at the open edge and put a mark where the top of your shoulder sits. Now get up and make a small slit on that mark to make an armhole.

Now all you need to do is stuff the body sock, but remember not to overstuff the tail or it will not flop down naturally, it will stick up and look awful.

Try on the bodysock and realign the stuffing if nessicary.

Trace the eyeholes onto a small piece of cardboard, and paint the shape. I did a sort of galaxy theme with mine, with took quite a long time. Then, once the paint is dry, cover with a thick layer of Modge Podge (or clear set glue) to give it a nice shiny finish. Once dry, hot glue them into place.

Carefully cover the head in masking tape to make a pattern for the material going on it. If you are unsure how to do this, there are PLENTY of masking tape pattern making videos out there. Trust me, it's easy.

Transfer the pattern to the fabric, cut, and glue onto the base with the spray glue.

If you want to, now is the time to add extra details such as eyelining, gems, horns or antlers ( I made these, and modified them to fit into the top of the cardboard, by making small incisions in the cardboard top and gluing them into the head. I also have stays between the antlers to keep them the right distance apart and make everything stronger. These were hidden by the foliage I had on top of the antlers. **they aren't in the photo)

For the back of the head, hide the hole that you put your hand into, measure the top of the back hole and cut a piece of the material and hand sew or glue it to the back. It will lay down over the top of the neck and you won't actually see the hole.

Think about painting the inside of the mouth too, or even adding teeth! (Do NOT try hot gluing acrylic nails as teeth, it melts and will burn you hands. I tried.)

Unpick the shoulder seam on the side your dragon head will be on. Stuff the sleeve with the leftover stuffing and tuck it into the pocket. It looks lame now, but it will give illusion that you have your hand in your pocket and a dragon on your shoulder. I took the extra length, and sewed it into the pocket to prevent it from falling out.

Try everything on! Adjust what need adjusting.

TA-DA!

You are a dragon tamer!

I WILL POST A BETTER TUTORIAL SOON!!!