Set Design and Construction: stiffening muslin

stiffening muslin

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Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
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Topic: stiffening muslin

Posted By: pykirk
Subject: stiffening muslin
Date 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.

Replies:

Posted By: TimmyP1955
Date Posted: 3/07/10 at 7:39pm

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

Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date 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/ - 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

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

Posted By: Chiment
Date 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. :)

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Angela Chiment
Drama/Math Teacher

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

Posted By: JazPainter
Date 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