Pregnancy Belly Casting Process
Making a pregnancy belly cast is a fun and easy project using our kit. It takes only about 30 minutes and there is no mixing of messy materials. All you need to provide is a pair of scissors and a basin of water. The casting material used in making a pregnancy belly cast is extra-fast setting premium quality plaster of paris bandage material and it sets in as quick as 2-4 minutes. The whole process really is fail-proof and the end result is a perfect 3D memento of an expecting mom's beautiful pregnant belly!	Click here to see more images of how fun & easy the pregnancy belly casting process is!
Pregnancy Belly Casting Tips
How to make a pregnancy belly cast including your hands Some moms like to include the hands of a loved one in their pregnancy belly cast. It is very easy to do. Just put the hands right on the belly, apply the lubricant over the back of the hands as you are coating the rest of the mom's casting area, and then simply cast right over the hands. Make sure the fingers are spread far enough apart so that it is easily distinguishable that it is a hand being cast into the pregnancy belly cast.	Click here to see more images of pregnancy belly casts including hands.
How to get a really smooth pregnancy belly cast A tip to make a really smooth cast is to dip your fingers in water after you apply a couple of overlapping layers of the plaster casting strips and rub your fingers over the layers to mix the plaster of paris together among the layers. Work fairly quickly as the plaster strips will begin to dry within a few minutes after you begin applying the plaster strips. After your pregnancy belly cast has completely dried, lightly sand it with the sanding screen included in our kit. If you still want an even smoother surface, apply 1-2 layers of Gesso (acrylic priming paint) and let dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. A more advanced method of making a smoother cast is to apply a thin layer of joint compound or spackle which can be found at your local home improvement store. Apply it with your fingers and as it starts to dry, smooth it out more with your fingers. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions and then lightly sand it using our sanding screen. You may need to apply more than 1 layer of joint compound or spackle, allowing each layer to dry and lightly sanding in between each coat.
How to support your breasts during the casting Since pregnancy belly casting is typically done with the mom unclothed from below the belly up, a common question we get asked is "just how can my breasts have some support while I'm doing the casting?" There are a few different ways to give your breasts some support during the casting: 1. wear a strapless bra, but the fabric and seams will show through your cast, and then cover the bra with saran wrap to protect it, then apply the lubricant on top of the saran wrap; 2. put a layer of Glad's Press N' Seal over mom's breasts; or 3. buy those disposable "pasty" bras that are available at your local department store.
How to include your thighs in the casting To have your pregnancy belly cast look right, you will need to do your casting while standing. Start the casting from the top and work your way down. When you get to the bottom of your belly, place a piece of saran wrap over your pubic area to keep the wet casting material from sticking to it. Slather the saran wrap with lubricant prior to placing it over your pubic area. You will need to hold the saran wrap in place while your helper places the first wet strip over the pubic area. Thereafter, the wet casting strips will hold the saran wrap in place. Alternatively, you can wear a pair of panties. Try to wear a more delicate pair since the seams won't show as much. Then tuck the saran wrap into the seams to hold it in place.
Smoothing the edges of your pregnancy belly cast Don't worry about having the edges of your pregnancy belly cast be even as you are making the cast. After your pregnancy belly cast has completely dried, you can take a pair of sharp scissors and trim the edges to make them even if you like.
Reinforcing thin areas of your pregnancy belly cast If you have casting material left over, you can reinforce the cast where needed. Simply wet additional casting strips and place them on the inside of your belly cast where reinforcements are needed. DO NOT place the wet strips on the front of your cast. Here's a tip submitted from one of our customers--they bought a body repair kit from an auto parts store. "The kit comes w/ glass cloth and epoxy resin. We applied it to the inside of the cast and brushed a light coat of resin on the outside. Then sanded, primed and painted. The cast is so incredibly durable now!! We recommend that anyone who's cast feels flimsy due to not putting enough layers on in certain sections (as was the problem with ours) to do this easy technique."
Making the bottom of a Belly Bowl flat This tip was submitted with the picture featured to the right: "I put in a coaster over my belly button while doing the casting so that the bowl would be more stable when placed on a flat surface."
Pregnancy Belly Casting Decorating Tips
Skyler Click here for details Bronzed Click here for details Hannah Click here for details Landscape Click here for details Sun Click here for details Gracee Click here for details Purple Flowers Click here for details Zebra Click here for details Potpourri Bowl Click here for details Leather Click here for details Swirls Click here for details Angel Baby Click here for details Displaying Ideas Wall hanging. To hang your pregnancy belly cast with ribbon, punch a hole in each side of the cast at the top. The easiest way to put holes in a cast is to use either a phillips head screwdriver or an power drill bit. Gently turn the screwdriver or bit and make a hole. Think of where the strings for a halter-top would be and place your holes there. Start with 3 yards of ribbon. Fold in half and cut. Feed each piece through the front of your pregnancy belly cast and make a knot. Bring both pieces up and make a bow. These halter ties can be as long or short as you like. Frame. You could buy a large picture frame (you don't need the glass front so try to buy just the frame) and cover the back rectangle of the frame with a pretty color velvet, black is always striking especially if you decide to leave your pregnancy belly cast its natural color. Attach your cast to the back of the frame using wire. Drill holes in the wood backing that is covered with fabric. Then run wire from the back to the front and through the sides of the cast to attach it to the frame. Easel. If you have the space, your pregnancy belly cast could be beautifully displayed on a brass easel. You can purchase these at any local craft store. I have one of my belly casts displayed on a table-top easel. Leaning against a wall. I have mine setting on the corner of a dresser in our master bedroom leaning against the wall. No fuss and the easiest way to display a pregnancy belly cast. Shadow Box. A dramatic way to display your pregnancy belly cast would be to either make or buy a shadow box and display it in there.