Share
"All the world's a stage," according to Shakespeare, but sometimes you want an actual stage. Our new felt Puppet Theater is the perfect stage for budding performers eager to put on a show! With bold graphics and thoughtful details, this theater invites creativity and cooperative play. And it can be easily set up and taken down on a whim! (You know how actors are.) While this project is large in scale, it is "such stuff as dreams are made on."
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 10+ hours
Additional Supplies:
Puppet Theater Template (click to download)
7/16" Tension Rod , 28-48" adjustable length
Three 3/8" Dowel Rods, 36" long
Velcro Circles
Sewing Machine
Long Metal Ruler
Rotary Cutter - optional
Directions:
Note: Felt cut from bolts is ~36" wide. To compensate for any discrepancies in the yardage, make multiple measurements as you work to come as close to the listed dimensions as possible. After Step 1, measurements can be made in relation to the center of the fabric. Do not stress - felt is very forgiving and adjustments can be made along the way.
Theater Backdrop
1. Cut an ~ 8" strip from one long side of Linen felt yardage to create 28 x 72" Backdrop. Set strip aside for future use.
2. To make Stage opening, measure down 12" from top edge of Backdrop. Cut 18 x 28" opening. To ensure a centered Stage, measure width from center line 9" in either direction. Set aside cut away felt for future use.
3. Larger decorative elements (not in Puppet Theater Template) should be cut as follows:
STRIPES - Cut four 4 x 28" strips from Jadeite felt.
CURTAINS - Cut two 12 x 36" panels from Carmine felt.
ROOF - Cut one 7 x 28" rectangle from Oxford Blue felt.
STAGE FLOOR - Cut one 5 x 28" rectangle from Oxford Blue felt.
4. From leftover Linen strip, cut four 1 1/2 x 28" strips.
5. Print Puppet Theater Template onto cardstock and cut out. Trace patterns onto corresponding felt colors and cut. Linen pieces should be cut from Stage cut away piece.
Structural Elements
To hang and support Backdrop, channels will be sewn along back side to encase tension and dowel rods. This technique will be repeated several times.
6. For the top channel, use metal ruler and Frixion pen to draw a line 1" from top edge across Backdrop. Pin one 1 1/2" Linen strip to top edge of Backdrop and use machine and coordinating thread to stitch along top edge with 3/16" seam allowance.
Pin bottom edge of felt strip to drawn line. This will create a pocket in the strip for rod to fit through. Machine stitch along bottom edge of strip with 3/16" seam allowance. Test to make sure tension rod slides through channel.
7. For channel below Stage, draw a line continuing out from Stage opening to either edge of Backdrop (top line.) Draw a second line 1" below (bottom line.) Stitch second Linen strip along top line with 3/16" seam allowance. Pin and sew bottom of strip to bottom line in the same manner.
8. Before making bottom channel, decorative Stripes must be attached. Flip Backdrop to front side (opposite of channels.) Match bottom left corner of Stripe to bottom left corner of Backdrop. Use machine and coordinating thread to stitch along both edges with a 3/8" seam allowance. Repeat with Stripe on far right side.
9. Measure in 4" from outer Stripes and pin and sew two remaining Stripes in the same manner.
10. Flip Backdrop to back side and draw a line 1" from bottom edge. Stitch bottom channel as in Step 6, with bottom edge of third Linen strip aligning with bottom of Backdrop. Top edge of strip should be aligned with drawn line.
11. For final channel, cut fourth Linen strip into three pieces - two 1 1/2 x 4" and one 1 1/2 x 1". Draw a line continuing out from top of Stage opening to either edge of Backdrop. Draw a second line 1" above.
Stitch two 4" felt pieces between lines aligned with left and right edges. Stitch 1" piece between two lines in the center. This channel will hold and support Curtains.
With back channels complete, flip Backdrop to front side to finish adding decorative elements.
Decorative Elements
12. Fold Roof rectangle in half widthwise. Mark down two inches from top of cut side. Draw a line and cut from top of fold to outer mark to create an angled roofline.
13. Position center point of Roof at top center of Backdrop just below channel stitching. Stitch around edges of Roof with coordinating thread and a 3/8" seam allowance.
14. Stitch or glue Salt Water stars to top of Roof at center and two corners.
15. Use Frixion pen to make a mark every inch along rounded bottom of Outer Curtains. Thread a needle with coordinating thread and knot one end. Come from back of Outer Curtain through first mark. Do not pull thread too tightly. Bring thread over edge and back through mark three times. After third time, take needle through loops toward the next mark.
Pull needle through small bit of Mustard felt pom and slide pom next to the edge. Take needle back through loops in the same direction and pom is secure!
16. To keep thread hidden behind curtain between poms, take needle through a small amount of felt fibers in back before coming up through next hole. This securing stitch should not go through to the front side. Knot and cut thread after last pom is attached. Repeat for second Outer Curtain.
17. Line up top edge of Outer Curtains with bottom edge of Roof. Use coordinating thread to sew along top edge of Outer Curtains with 3/8" seam allowance.
18. Arrange text on Jadeite Banner. Stitch or glue in place.
19. Position Banner and Banner Ends in center of Backdrop overlapping the Roof and Outer Curtains. Banner Ends should be placed behind and slightly below Banner. Glue in place. Do not stitch these elements because they extend beyond the channel on back side.
20. Glue Peony Scallops along left and right sides of Stage opening. Start at the bottom and continue until Scallops are covered by Outer Curtains.
21. Position Mustard Tiebacks about 8" up from Stage and centered on back side. Stitch one end onto Backdrop. Place Velcro circles on same side of each end for opening and closing Curtains.
22. Use coordinating thread to stitch Screws and desired text or embellishments to Announcement Boards.
23. Turn Backdrop to front side and glue Announcement boards over Tieback stitching.
24. Evenly space Spotlight Casings on Stage Floor (5 x 28" Oxford Blue rectangle.) Glue or stitch in place using coordinating thread. Glue Spotlight in center of each Casing.
25. Carefully pin Stage Floor along bottom edge of Stage. Press channel on back away from top edge. Stitch along top with coordinating thread using a 3/16" seam allowance. Stitching should go exactly over top edge of channel stitching - not below!
26. Finish by stitching along bottom edge of Stage Floor in same manner. Do not stitch along left and right sides as this will close the channel on back side!
27. Position Stage Door pattern in center Linen stripe at least 1" from channel stitching. Trace pattern and cut out.
28. On back side, glue Stage Door Support around newly cut opening. Once dry, pin Stage Door Curtain in place and stitch along top of arch.
Theater Assembly
29. Fold over and sew Curtain panels 1" from one short side to form channel for hanging.
30. Insert tension rod through top channel.
31. Cut dowel rods down to 28". Insert dowels into channel below Stage opening and bottom channel.
32. For the final channel above Stage opening, insert rod from left to right, adding a curtain panel after passing through the first and then middle channel. Curtains will have to be scooted in place as dowel is moving across.
Your Puppet Theater is complete! Whether it's a rainy day staple or a screen substitute, we hope it offers hours of drama - the good kind. We've got some clever puppet tutorials coming soon but might we also suggest using our pom shapes? We can think of a few good storylines that involve our felted characters!
Pull back the curtains and pull up a chair because it's time to start the show!
Thanks to Camille for designing and writing this tutorial! You can follow her on Instagram @notsomodernmillie or visit her website. Stay tuned for more tutorials!
