DIY Puppet Show Theater Sign
Post by Colleen of Lemon Thistle
This DIY is so simple, it’s the perfect afternoon craft to take an Off-Broadway Puppet Theater to a personalized dream for kiddos. We have had so much fun putting on shows with this hanging puppet theater since we received it, I’m thrilled that my kids are learning to explore their imaginations with the shows and I love even more that I can pack it all up before dinner time.
To make a personalized sign, it’s pretty simple but there’s some tips I have to make it look fantastic without much effort.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
- Stiff Felt (or stiffen your own using starch)
- Fabric Scissors
- Fabric Pencil (wax pencil, I used white)
- Contrasting paint
- Fine point squeeze bottle
- Coordinating thread and needle to attach
Alright, my biggest tip is to get high quality felt. This stuff is thick and scratchy and doesn’t flop around. It’s perfect for a sign and durable too. I found mine by the meter (or partial) at my local fabric store.
- Use your quilters pencil to sketch out a banner. To do this I start by sketching a rectangle, then sketch the ends afterwards.
- Cut out your shape with fabric scissors to get clean edges, then flip it over.
- Time to start writing! I chose to freehand the wording after practicing on scrap paper, but you could choose to use your fabric pencil to make an outline first. The BEST way that I’ve found to paint on felt is by using a fine tip squeeze bottle. It makes such a nice clean line compared to using a paint brush. The paint brush pulls up fibers from the felt and makes it fuzzy and messy looking. Trust me on this one- and you can get them from the dollar store in the craft section.
- Attach it to your puppet theater using a couple stitches in each corner then get ready for play! We’ve left some hooks up in our hallway to make for easy set up and tear down and my kids think it’s the best thing that everyone will sit and watch them while they perform! They don’t totally understand that they’re supposed to hide and only show the puppets… but it’s coming, I’m sure! In the meantime- it lets me drink my coffee without being jumped on and I consider that a big WIN.
Colleen is a wife, Mama to twins with one on the way, and the DIY and lifestyle blogger behind Lemon Thistle where she shares printable art and hands on tutorials for DIY home decor, parties and gifts. Colleen believes you can have a beautiful life, home, and party without spending a lot- we’re keeping it real on a budget so everyone can join in on the fun.