Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: stiffening muslin

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pykirk
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Joined: 2/16/10
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Posts: 4

Topic: stiffening muslin
Posted: 3/06/10 at 2:35am

I need to make some larger scenic pieces with stiff muslin. I've used white glue in the past, but it's expensive. Any alternatives? Starch? I've never used it.

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TimmyP1955
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Joined: 12/30/09
Location: United States
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Posts: 37

Posted: 3/07/10 at 7:39pm

Perhaps a home made flour & water paste? Or wallpaper paste?

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Mr. Lowell
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Joined: 1/30/07
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 269

Posted: 3/08/10 at 10:58am

I always use Sculpt-or-Coat for this effect. Here is a photo from a production of Narnia where we made stiffened muslin for an ice castle effect: http://shabbytech.blogspot.com

But Sculpt-or-Coat is even more expensive than white glue, so this probably won't help you. How about latex paint?!

Gather all the old "slop" paint and donated paint that you can find. Put it in a large bucket and add some water. Dunk the fabric in. Use this as "sizing" for the muslin. It's messy, but cheap.

You can wring out the wet fabric and apply it over wooden framing or chicken wire. Latex paint drys rather stiff on muslin, especially in repeated coats. Of course you want to use large painter's tarps underneath this procedure, and maybe even do it outdoors where sun and wind will help the thick paint cure faster. (The best thing is that household latex paint is inherently flame retardant, since it is made up of 75% chalk).

Good luck with whatever you try. -Dana

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 4/08/10 at 4:30pm

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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Chiment
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Joined: 3/14/10
Location: United States
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Posts: 0

Posted: 3/14/10 at 2:31pm

I don't know if it's cheaper, it would depend on what you have already, but Monster Mud is amazing stuff. It's 5 parts latex paint and one part drywall compound. Dip/spread the mix on fabric, making sure to saturate it. It will dry pre-colored in your selected color, and will be nicely stiff. It's used frequently by Halloween haunters, and I've used it on torn upholstery foam to make rocks. Google monster mud to find many examples and tutorials. Hope this helps. :)

Angela Chiment
Drama/Math Teacher

"You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps."

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JazPainter
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Joined: 3/16/10
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 15

Posted: 3/16/10 at 4:23pm

Hi!

Monster Mud is amazing stuff, you can also water down your glue, use white or carpenter glue, or an outside the box idea is to get a gallon of Elastomeric Roofing mud (sold all over the country, is generally very cheap, and you can tint it or mix it with paint as well).

If you want to starch, mix 1 box of starch (find in the cooking aisle, it's cheaper than rosebrand) in 1/2 gallon of warm water, meanwhile - boil 1 gallon of water, stir the two together. You can either thin from here to size muslin, a drop, or canvas, or use as is for more of what your talking about.

Good luck!
Jasmine
www.FMStudios.Wordpress.com

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
pykirk Walk-On Joined: 2/16/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Topic: stiffening muslin Posted: 3/06/10 at 2:35am
	I need to make some larger scenic pieces with stiff muslin. I've used white glue in the past, but it's expensive. Any alternatives? Starch? I've never used it.

	IP Logged

TimmyP1955 Lead Joined: 12/30/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Posted: 3/07/10 at 7:39pm
	Perhaps a home made flour & water paste? Or wallpaper paste?
	IP Logged

Mr. Lowell Celebrity Joined: 1/30/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 269	Posted: 3/08/10 at 10:58am
	I always use Sculpt-or-Coat for this effect. Here is a photo from a production of Narnia where we made stiffened muslin for an ice castle effect: http://shabbytech.blogspot.com But Sculpt-or-Coat is even more expensive than white glue, so this probably won't help you. How about latex paint?! Gather all the old "slop" paint and donated paint that you can find. Put it in a large bucket and add some water. Dunk the fabric in. Use this as "sizing" for the muslin. It's messy, but cheap. You can wring out the wet fabric and apply it over wooden framing or chicken wire. Latex paint drys rather stiff on muslin, especially in repeated coats. Of course you want to use large painter's tarps underneath this procedure, and maybe even do it outdoors where sun and wind will help the thick paint cure faster. (The best thing is that household latex paint is inherently flame retardant, since it is made up of 75% chalk). Good luck with whatever you try. -Dana Edited by Mr. Lowell - 4/08/10 at 4:30pm
	Mr. Lowell, Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director, for the Linda Sloan Theatre, in the Davison Center for the Arts, at Greensboro Day School
	IP Logged

Chiment Walk-On Joined: 3/14/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 3/14/10 at 2:31pm
	I don't know if it's cheaper, it would depend on what you have already, but Monster Mud is amazing stuff. It's 5 parts latex paint and one part drywall compound. Dip/spread the mix on fabric, making sure to saturate it. It will dry pre-colored in your selected color, and will be nicely stiff. It's used frequently by Halloween haunters, and I've used it on torn upholstery foam to make rocks. Google monster mud to find many examples and tutorials. Hope this helps. :)
	Angela Chiment Drama/Math Teacher "You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps."
	IP Logged

JazPainter Player Joined: 3/16/10 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 3/16/10 at 4:23pm
	Hi! Monster Mud is amazing stuff, you can also water down your glue, use white or carpenter glue, or an outside the box idea is to get a gallon of Elastomeric Roofing mud (sold all over the country, is generally very cheap, and you can tint it or mix it with paint as well). If you want to starch, mix 1 box of starch (find in the cooking aisle, it's cheaper than rosebrand) in 1/2 gallon of warm water, meanwhile - boil 1 gallon of water, stir the two together. You can either thin from here to size muslin, a drop, or canvas, or use as is for more of what your talking about. Good luck! Jasmine www.FMStudios.Wordpress.com
	IP Logged

Topic: stiffening muslin( Topic Closed)