Working with sponge

storm2811

Hi all, looking for some advice.
I'm making a puppet in school, a ballerina, I have the limbs sorted, made of wood but for the body I'm using sponge.
I thought it would be far easier than it turned out to be, I have the shape(just about) but I need to make a hole right through it from top to bottom to put the main support stick through.
It's proving to be REALLY difficult, I've tried a scissors, a screwdriver and a knife, but whenever I make a hole it just kind of closes up again and you can't find it.

Any tips? Or in fact any other materials I could use instead?

Ponder013

Are you using a sponge, as in a bathroom sponge? or upholsery sponge

You could try:

a. Thread a big needle with tough thread and tie the thread to the wood support, then push the needle through - hopefully, the thread will force the wooden stick to follow the needle's path through the sponge.

b. Make a fabric 'bag' in the shape you want - leaving a hole for the wooden support and a hole at the top, put in your support, then stuff the bag with torn up bits of sponge (or toy stuffing available in most craft shops - or the stuffing from an old pillow)

c. Slice through the sponge, from the top to the point where you want the wooden support to go. Then place the wooden support across the bottom of the slit and either sew or glue the sponge together again. (try using a sharp scissor to cut the sponge)

storm2811

I'm using this type of sponge :

http://www.inkycircus.com/jargon/images/sponge.jpg

I kind of want to stick with the sponge as I've the shape made and everything and the clothes to suit it.

I tried the needle & thread but the sponge just adapts and squishes up, someone suggested using a hot thick needle, to kind of melt through and the shape of the hole would keep.

Ponder013

Have you got metal skewers in your kitchen? Stick one in the fire or on the hob and then try pushing it through (do it outside or in a well ventilated area because of the fumes)

storm2811

Ponder013 wrote: »

Have you got metal skewers in your kitchen? Stick one in the fire or on the hob and then try pushing it through (do it outside or in a well ventilated area because of the fumes)

Ahh, I'll try it now!

storm2811

It worked! Thanks a million.:D