How to make a plaster cast of my torso?

Question

I am having a Greek themed, toga party for my 21st birthday, and I want one of the decorations to be a plaster cast of my torso. I already have the plaster of paris; so what's the easiest way to make the cast? Any advice would be great!

I'm doing it at home and I am having someone help me out.

Answer 1

Make it in two pieces or else you will have to be sawn out of it and this can be a very unpleasant experience. Shave off any hair or it will hurt when you remove the cast. Cover your front with a light oil so that the plaster will make a cast but not stick to you.when the front sets, you will have to do the back. Having the two pieces you can grease them when they are dry. Wet the edges and tape them together. Then you pour in more plaster of paris. When it sets you will remove the front and back and then polish what is inside.

You will have to arrange a trap around you or else there will be plaster all over the place. So its initial consistency is very important: do not make it runny.

Answer 2

There is a better material than plaster for doing castings of body parts. It's called alginate. More expensive, but works better.

Answer 3

I did a google search:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=diy+plaster+torso



And I found a lot of good stuff like:

http://www.bnglifecasting.com/diy/faq/pregnant.html



And:

http://www.crazycastingz.co.nz/torso.html



I also found one that's probably the most help on how to do it without waiting for a kit to arrive in the mail...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Replicating-body-parts-in-plaster/?comments=all



I love the Intructables.com site!!



P.S. Any chance I could have the mold after you're done ;)