We traced the bottom of the cast on wafleboard (you can use plywood) and marked about 3/4" in to cut out a base for the form. The foam adheres to anything it touches, therefore we figured it would make a great base to eventually use for mounting the form on a stand. We then ducktaped (yes...haha...ducktaped) the base to the form and also taped the arms shut. I recommend using something stonger because the foam pushed the cast from the ducktape on the base. It is taller than we anticipated. Surpisingly it is still level.
Using a two part polyurethane foam, we mixed both part together until it got warm and started expanding, then poured it into the form. We used about a total of one and a half red plastic cups of each part to fill the entire cast.
As you can see, parts of the cast came off easily, and others not so much. I really wish I would have been more generous with the wax! Because of this, I had to use a thin serrated knife to get the rest off. I also used the knife to cut down the arms and neck, as well as to sculpt the foam into a more symmetrical form. Doing the cast in two pieces doesn't give you the precise shaping that a full cast would.
The next step is to sand the form down. This part is what makes the foam look less realistic, and more like a dress form. I am very happy with how my form is turning out. However, when cutting some of the cast off, a little more foam was missing in a few areas than should have been. Also, the expanding foam left a couple small holes that need to be filled. I will either fill them with a little bit of canned expanding foam, or use some of the shavings remaining to pin over the areas that need filling in. Many of these "imperfections" people wouldn't even notice. I am anal about getting everything exact. I wouldn't be surprised if I do a little more sanding. Ha ha…I guess we will see! The next phase will be to make a fabric cover for my form. Any suggestions on fabric?
2 comments:
Woah! That is looking very professional! What did you use to sand in down? Regular sanding paper? What kind of grit? Thanks!
Wow it has been too long since I have been on my blog. Boy do I have a lot of work to do. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. It's been so long now since I have made it. I imagine that I began with a fairly abraisive sand paper to get the shape quickly. I used a knife to even shave pieces off more quickly. As long at it is faily smooth, you will be covering it with cloth eventually. I even considered covering with batting prior to covering with the fabric. If you want to take the time to try that out, I honestly think it would be more realistic. Our bodies have a little give and take whereas my dressform is very stiff.
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