Another kind of marionette is made from old stockings or any soft material. The head and body are in one piece. Each arm is in one piece. Each leg is in two pieces. Cut and sew according to directions. Stuff the head very firmly with cotton. At the base of the neck leave a quarter of an inch between the two rows of stitching. This will permit the head to move. The body should be stuffed less firmly than the head, especially at the waistline, so that the figure can bend easily.
A Body pattern. Dotted line indicates stitching. Do not stitch across the bottom until after the stuffing has been inserted. B Arm pattern. Dotted line indicates stitching. C Front view of the leg stuffed, showing upper leg extending over lower leg. This is to prevent a forward swing at the knee. D Side view of C showing the fastening; the upper leg is sewed to the lower leg at the back of the knee. Note the downward slant of the foot. E A dancer’s leg showing the downward drop of the toe. F Lower leg showing round piece of wood to insure stiffness. G Back view of upper leg. Dotted line indicates the piece of light-weight cardboard inserted to insure stiffness.
Note: Pieces of lead or small shot are used to weight the feet and hands. A lead dress weight may be sewed in the torso to give the body weight. Cotton or soft rags are used for the stuffing.
Staples. Into each side of the head, where the ears would naturally come, insert a staple. It requires a great deal of patience to insert these staples into this kind of head but it can be done. Just where you place these staples is very important. If you place them too far forward the head will be drawn too far back when the strings are attached to the staples. On the contrary, if the staples are inserted too far back, the head will fall forward when suspended from the strings. If you wish to make a pompous, strutting character, then place the staples forward. If you wish to show a hunchback or bowed old age, then place the staples quite far back. Between these two extremes is the normal place for your staples.
Modeling. When the staples have been inserted, dip your fingers into water and dampen the head and then cover it with some kind of modeling clay that hardens when exposed to the air. The features of your character can be modeled with your fingers and the help of an orange stick or a toothpick. Do not cover the staples, for the head-strings must be attached to them later. This kind of marionette head should be painted with tempera colors or with oil paints. Paint the hands the same color as the face. When the paint is dry, cover the head with glue and attach the hair, which may be made from yarn, mercerized cotton, silk, or lamb’s wool.
A marionette of this kind could be used on the semi-professional stage if it is carefully constructed, made to scale, and appropriately costumed. The strings are attached to the head staples, to the shoulders, the hands, the back, and to the knees. For this type of marionette use the cross-bar controller.
THE REAL MARIONETTE
The third type of marionette, which might be called the real marionette, is somewhat more complicated, but it is better suited to the larger stage and to more exacting plays. There is scarcely a thing that this type of marionette cannot be made to do if skilfully constructed. Its greater flexibility of neck, waist, wrist, and ankle makes it possible for it to bow, kneel, sit down, turn its head, dance, play a musical instrument, climb a wall, or perform any number of lively tricks.