Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Muslin Troubles

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
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Topic: Muslin Troubles
Posted: 3/02/05 at 9:25am

We are recovering alot of our flats as well as bulding new ones. The problem I am having is since the Muslin is forre retardant it isn't shrinking up nice and tight. Getting different material at this point is not an option. I need to find out what I can do with this stuff. Normally we use os glue/water mix over the whole flat. Works great on non fire retardant muslin. What can I do with the flats I've already covered and are there any tricks to getting it to shrink the first time round as well. I am working with high school kids, if that makes any difference

Thanks!!!

Aimee

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posted: 3/02/05 at 12:04pm

Besides what has already been mentioned in the ?Double side flats? topic!

I think you might be up the creek without a paddle?

However you can undo one edge of the muslin, then make up a simple cloth stretcher, out of 2 pieces of ply wood, which grip the cloth, & with the flat secured or fixed laying on the floor or bench. Tighten the sash cord to hold the tension.

There a commercial reusable stretchers available. http://www.hallstage.com/holdon.htm

these may help?

Or I just had a thought if you can get a loan of a domestic portable steamer used for cleanig, you could try this on the muslin & it may shrink further?

Otherwise your back to re-skinning them all.

One cheap way is to go to a charity shop & buy up old white bed sheets for a few dollars!

While some of these are bleached, try & get the unstarched ones & possibly King or Queen size ones!

Then follow the process as explained!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Aimee
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Joined: 8/31/04
Location: United States
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Posts: 156

Posted: 3/02/05 at 8:30pm

I posted this again with just this problem in hopes of getting a few more ideas. Never again will I get this fire retardant muslin, It's awful!

yes definately a few good ideas in here. I may try the steamer. We just don't have the funds to just scrap this stuff and go for more. Pretty much, I'm stuck! So I appreciate any info.

Aimee

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Gaafa
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Joined: 3/21/04
Location: Australia
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Posts: 1181

Posted: 3/02/05 at 10:49pm

I see - no problem!

Best of luck!'sorry I was not much help & I hope it works out, but you never know someone may come up with a magical cure!

I'll evaporate!

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Shatcher
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Joined: 2/21/05
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 251

Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:55pm

You can try to wash muslin before covering the flat. This should take some of the flame retardant out. Don't dry it in the dryer as it will shrink up when you don't want it to. If this doesn't solve your problem you may need to start over.In most cases non flame retardant muslin is cheaper.

A lot of schools in our area have great parent booster groups that may help you raise funds for new material for this project. It is often eaiser to get money from people when they know what it is for.

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Author	Message
Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Topic: Muslin Troubles Posted: 3/02/05 at 9:25am
	We are recovering alot of our flats as well as bulding new ones. The problem I am having is since the Muslin is forre retardant it isn't shrinking up nice and tight. Getting different material at this point is not an option. I need to find out what I can do with this stuff. Normally we use os glue/water mix over the whole flat. Works great on non fire retardant muslin. What can I do with the flats I've already covered and are there any tricks to getting it to shrink the first time round as well. I am working with high school kids, if that makes any difference Thanks!!! Aimee
	Aimee

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Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 3/02/05 at 12:04pm
	Besides what has already been mentioned in the ?Double side flats? topic! I think you might be up the creek without a paddle? However you can undo one edge of the muslin, then make up a simple cloth stretcher, out of 2 pieces of ply wood, which grip the cloth, & with the flat secured or fixed laying on the floor or bench. Tighten the sash cord to hold the tension. There a commercial reusable stretchers available. http://www.hallstage.com/holdon.htm these may help? Or I just had a thought if you can get a loan of a domestic portable steamer used for cleanig, you could try this on the muslin & it may shrink further? Otherwise your back to re-skinning them all. One cheap way is to go to a charity shop & buy up old white bed sheets for a few dollars! While some of these are bleached, try & get the unstarched ones & possibly King or Queen size ones! Then follow the process as explained!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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Aimee Celebrity Joined: 8/31/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 156	Posted: 3/02/05 at 8:30pm
	I posted this again with just this problem in hopes of getting a few more ideas. Never again will I get this fire retardant muslin, It's awful! yes definately a few good ideas in here. I may try the steamer. We just don't have the funds to just scrap this stuff and go for more. Pretty much, I'm stuck! So I appreciate any info.
	Aimee
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 3/02/05 at 10:49pm
	I see - no problem! Best of luck!'sorry I was not much help & I hope it works out, but you never know someone may come up with a magical cure! I'll evaporate!
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
	IP Logged

Shatcher Celebrity Joined: 2/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 251	Posted: 5/23/05 at 4:55pm
	You can try to wash muslin before covering the flat. This should take some of the flame retardant out. Don't dry it in the dryer as it will shrink up when you don't want it to. If this doesn't solve your problem you may need to start over.In most cases non flame retardant muslin is cheaper. A lot of schools in our area have great parent booster groups that may help you raise funds for new material for this project. It is often eaiser to get money from people when they know what it is for.
	IP Logged

Topic: Muslin Troubles( Topic Closed)