Paverpol and Pretex are
fabric hardeners and are available in hobby shops.They are
glue like substances. Paverpol is almost always transparent and
colored with pigment powder. Pretex though can be purchased in
various colors. I always add a dash of water to either of them
so they are easier to work with. Paverpol sticks better and
gives more structure (to my opinion), but with larger pieces of
cloth it is less pliable. Pretex is more flexible but in the end
your work becomes less stiff. Things you make with Pretex can be
put outside, but if you use Paverpol you have to add an
activator.
How to make a doll?
The simplest is to make a doll sitting on a flowerpot. Paint
the pot in advance in the color you choose.
With installation wire you make a frame which you give shape
with tinfoil. If necessary you tape the foil together here and
there.
Then you cut bands of an old T-shirt of 5 by 15 cm. Also cut
some patches for dressing the doll.
Now the dirty works starts but don’t be afraid afterwards you
can clean your hands easily with warm water. Soak the bands in
the Paverpol/Pretex. Don’t make it too wet but see to it that
every inch is covered. Now wrap the whole frame with the bands
like a mummy. The bands must overlap each other because the
fabric hardeners tend to shrink a little whilst drying. Put your
doll in the chosen pose on the upside down flowerpot. Drench the
patches in the Paverpol/Pretex and dress your doll. Make lots of
pleats and freshen things up with laces and ruches.
If you’re satisfied, let your doll dry for at least 3 days.
After drying you can brush the doll. If you’ve worked with
black fabric hardener you can brush it with gold paint to give
your work a bronze like radiation. Brushing is done with an
almost dry, quite hard, small brush. Dip the brush in the paint
and pat it dry on a tissue. Now brush over the pleats in
opposite direction so the paint will stick on the top of the
pleat. Work subtle you can always put on more afterwards.
Let your work dry for a while. You’re almost done now. If you
keep the doll inside you can spray it with simple hairspray. I
like to varnish it with a satin lacquer. The soft glow gives
your doll more expression. If you want to put the doll outdoors
you can leave it as it is if you worked with Pretex or Paverpol
with activator. But here also, I like to varnish it to give it
more structure.
I hope you’re now just as enthusiastic as I am. Check out my
links they will give you inspiration.
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