3-LAYER CASTING (INTERMEDIATE)
Preserve a work of love for someone special in the form of a dome paper weight. Due to the curved surface of the dome, the detail of countedcross stitch shown here is beautifully magnified! One tip for embeddingfabric is to seal the mounted piece with a vinyl resin glue/sealer. This prevents the fabric from ‘wetting out’. On rough textured pieces, such as needlepoint, you’ll need two seal coats to prevent ‘wet-out’. |
 |
EMBROIDERY PAPERWEIGHT |
MATERIALS NEEDED
1 Completed Counted Cross-Stitch or Crewel Miniature (Maximum size of design should be 2” in diameter)
1 2-5/8” diameter Cardboard Circle
1 1/2” Paint Brush (an ‘acid tinning brush’ works well)
1 4-oz. Jar ULTRA-SEAL™ white vinyl resin glue/sealer (or 4 parts’ white glue mixed with 1 part water)
1 MC-5 Poly Mold (3” diameter x 1-3/8” dome)
4 Oz. Casting Resin
Catalyst
3 Graduated Mixing Cups
3 Stir Sticks
Color Pigment for Polyester Resin (choose a color that compliments your embroidered piece)
Acetone or Rubbing Alcohol for clean-up of utensils.
Optional: 3” Circle of Felt
Epoxy Glue or Bond Cement |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MOUNTING FABRIC |
 |
- Center cardboard circle on wrong side of embroidered fabric. Trace a guideline around outside of card-board with a pencil. (See Figure 1)
|
Figure 1
|
 |
- Brush one side of card-board with ULTRA-SEA™L glue/sealer; place glued side of cardboard on wrong side of fabric, following pencilled guideline.
- Trim fabric to 1/2” around cardboard circle. (See Figure 2)
- Clip fabric every 1/2”. (See Figure 2)
|
Figure 2
|
Figure 3 |
- Brush ULTRA-SEAL™ on outer 1/2 of cardboard; fold clipped edges of fabricover edge of cardboard and press down onto‘glued’ cardboard. Repeat around entire circle. (See Figure 3)
- Place this glued fabric disc on a sheet of plastic wrap and weight it down with a heavy book for one hour.
- Apply a thin, even brush coat of ULTRA-SEAL™ on front of fabric disc making sure no portions of fabric or cross-stitch design are left unsealed. Allow to air-dry one hour.
- Apply thin, even brush coat of ULTRA-SEAL™ to the edges and back of the fabric disc. Allow to air-dry at least one hour or until the piece is completely dry.
|
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CASTING:
First Layer
- Support dome mold in an empty glass or paper cup. Make sure the mold is level.
- In graduated mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 2-1/2 ounces of resin and 10 drops of catalyst. Pour into mold and allow to gel, approximately 20-25 minutes.
Second Layer
- In a clean graduated mixing cup, measure and mix thoroughly 1/2 oz. resin and 2 drops’ catalyst. Using a dry 1/2 acid tinning brush, brush front of fabric disc with catalyzed resin. Pour remaining resin onto gelled layer. Center fabric disc face down in resin. Press disc gently with stir stick to remove any trapped air bubbles.
- Allow this second layer to firm gel, approximately 20-25 minutes.
Third Layer
- In a clean graduated mixing cup, measure and stir thoroughly 1 ounce of resin, 2 to 3 drops of color pigment and 3 drops of catalyst.
- Pour mixture into mold over back of fabric disc. Do not overfill the mold.
- Allow to harden approximately 6-8 hours. When cured the casting will shrink away from the mold. The surface will ‘click-hard’ when tapped with a stir stick.
|
REMOVE CASTING FROM MOLD
- Invert mold, grasp edges, flex and allow the casting to gently drop onto a piece of Mylar™ or waxed paper.
- If slightly tacky, allow to air-dry several days before using.
- To protect furniture you may want to glue a circle of felt onto the back of your “Embroidery” Paperweight.
|
| Page 7 |
| Next Page |
