How to use Paverpol

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Basic instructions for making a simple figurine.
 
For full instructions, please order the fantastic "from T Shirt to Garden Statue" book which has step-by-step instructions with pictures to make specific sculptures and figure.

To make a figurine:

• # You will need 3 pieces of electrical wire.  
• Twist the 2 pieces of 60cm wire together from the centre for approx 8 cm. giving 20 cm for each arm and 30cm for each leg.  
• Fold the 3rd piece (40cm long) in half and twist a 3 cm loop in it. This will be the head.  
• Connect the head piece by looping it around the "arms" of the first shape twice, and bend the loose bits down toward the "waist" (bottom of the 8cm twists).  
• Thicken the wire figure with aluminium foil until obtaining a human figure.  
• Fasten the loose pieces of foil with masking tape.  

Cutting the T-shirt:

• Use only 100% cotton t-shirts.  
• The colour doesn't matter, as long as its a single colour.  
• Cut all the seams and hems off the t-shirt.  
• Cut 4 24 x 24 cm strips. Then cut each piece into 4, so you have 16 6 x 24 strips.  
• Cut another 4 24 x 24cm pieces from thicker t-shirt (this is for dressing the statue and drapes better).  
• Alternatively you can now order Paverpol Wrappers - which are stretchy fabric strips ideal for making your figurine 

Treating the fabric with Paverpol:

• Put *half* the Paverpol into a dish. (half a litre).  
• If using colour, mix the colour with a small amount of water and then add about half of the Pavercolour to the Paverpol (although the colour doesn't look right, it dries darker - so don't add more colour).  
• Dip the fabric little by little into the Paverpol and knead it so that it becomes completely absorbed.  
• This means you get strips and pieces that looks like leather. You can then "model" the fabric.  

Wrapping the frame:

• Wrap the entrire wire and foil statue with fabric strips that have been dipped one by one.  
• Make a "mummy"  
• Work from top towards the bottom, and wrap the strips tightly around the frame. They will stick by themselves.  
• One layer is enough, but if the arm or leg is too thin, wrap another layer of fabric around to fill it out.  
• Once the statue has been wrapped, spread a thin layer of Paverpol onto the seat (bottom) and place it on a concrete pillar or brick (the base).  
• Press firmly. It will not bind immediately, but within a few days will be completely stuck.  
• Bend your statue into the desired position.  

Dressing:

• Now use the larger pieces to dress the statue. First drape the dry fabric over the statue. This will give you an approximate idea of how you would like it to be.  
• Start using the fabric pieces from a corner. Eg. if you twist the corner of a piece around the waist, it will form folds. This is nice if you wish to create a long folded gown.  
• You can make a folded top by draping the corner of the piece over the shoulder.  

Hair using Pavercotton:

• Take a tuft and dip it into the Paverpol. Make sure all the fibres are coloured.  
• Press firmly onto the head, and shape into the style of your choice.  
• Carefully loosen some strands here and there using a skewer.  

Drying/painting/varnishing:

• Allow statue to dry at least one hour at room temperature. You can also use a hairdryer if it still feels sticky after an hour.  
• You can now paint and/or varnish the statue.  

General Information:

• The dye powder is water based, so soap and a nailbrush will get your hands clean again.  
• Colours dry darker that the mix looks. If you want lighter colours, use less Pavercolour (eg. 1 tsp for half a litre Paverpol)  
• After finishing, the statue must be allowed to harden. It will be rock hard within 3 days, but to be sure, leave it for a week.  
• If you have used acrylic paints, you must protect it by varnishing over it. Pavervarnish is not oil based so isn't too shiny, and it does not yellow over time.