GINA BARI ART
Stop Motion Animator & Puppet Maker
Costume Design
Working out a puppet's costume in the early stages of the design is also a great way to plan your timeline for construction. Listing the materials you'll need, budgeting time for dyeing fabric, or gathering accessories are important to constructing your puppet on a timeframe for production.
Dyeing Fabric
When dyeing fabric, I try to use organic methods. Using vegetables and fruit can be as good commercial chemical dyes. I start out boiling water, vinegar and the vegetable or fruit in a pot. When the mixture comes to a boil add the fabric. Let the fabric sit in the mixture until the color wanted is achieved. Rise and hang dry.
Sewing the Puppet's Costume
First, I draw out the design for the custom. Just like tailoring a custom for a human, you measure the body parts of the puppet in order to know how much fabric to cut. When a pattern is created and fabric is cut, then it is time to pin the fabric onto the puppet. Once sewing on to the puppet is completed, ruffles, lace and other accessories can be sewn or glued on.