In creating this puppet I took inspiration from a YouTube tutorial for a tiny dragon that would just fit on the back of a glove. Although cute I felt it could possibly be more effective as a bigger and more tactile object. In creating my own I started but drafting out a head pattern and cutting that out of 2mm craft foam sheets. Once the outer structure was complete I cut smaller pieces and places those inside the head, slowly making the space smaller and smaller until the head could be held by one finger without any other assistance.
Hand stitching down the desired fabric to the head I began to then draft the body and neck of the dragon. To create the neck section I took the measurement of my finger and made sure that there was enough excess fabric to fit all around the opening of the foam head. Once sewn I began sewing up the body and tail portions, both being separate pieces they needed to be secure.
Adding stuffing into the body I then closed it up fully and added wire to the tail before stuffing it and then attaching the two together making sure that one end of the wire is anchored down to the body for support. With a subtle hand stitch I then added the neck onto the main body creating a long worm. 4 pieces of wire make up the structure of the wings and organza to mimic the patagium, the purple contrasting the blue of the body beautifully. The two wings there then attached down the centre of the dragons back. The eyebrows are 4mm thick foam with the same cotton fabric as the rest of the body stitched over it. Eye's and head details added with acrylic pen.
With the head on your finger the body then sits on the back of the hand. Because of the wire in the tail you can curl it around your arm helping with stability and giving a more believable look to the dragon. A harness type leather bracelet helps hold it even more firmly letting the head have a better range of movement.
Over time parts of this puppet have begun to fray and show ware and of I were to make it again I would overlock most fabric edges however I believe that there is a pleasing charm to it.
