do-it-yourself casting
Step 1: Pick up a casting kit from Month 9 Design or order a kit online. If ordering online, Month 9 Design recommends Casting Keepsakes’ ESSENTIAL Pregnant Belly Mask Casting Kit with Casting Stone and Gesso additions. (Month 9 Design will need the casting stone and gesso to smooth out and prepare the surface of your belly cast for painting or other decoration.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Kits typically come standard with 4 rolls of plaster. This is sufficient to cast an average size woman's belly and breasts. Purchase additional plaster rolls if you are expecting twins or multiples, plan to include your shoulders or hands in your cast, or wear plus size clothing when you are not pregnant.
Step 2: Recruit a caster. Whether it is your spouse, mom or best friend, you'll need somebody to do the casting for you. You can help them by smoothing out the plaster strips as they are applied, but Month 9 Design does not recommend that an expectant mom try to cast her own belly.
Step 3: Plan your belly cast before you start. Determine what you want to cast - just your belly or include your breasts, shoulders, your hands, spouse's hahnds. See "M9D Design Form" PDF' below for common neckline and hanging options for your belly cast.
Step 4: Gather supplies & review casting instructions. See PDF below with M9D's casting tips.
In addition to your casting kit, you will need:
Step 5: Prep, Cast & Trim. Make you cast according to the kit instructions. Once the raw cast has been removed from your body look for any holes in the cast and apply damp plaster strips to fill. You should also trim the edges while the cast is still damp.
Step 6: Save & Contact. Please save any leftover plaster strips or rolls! Month 9 Design will need them to reinforce the cast in weak areas. M9D will also need the casting stone and gesso you ordered with you casting kit. Once you have made your cast, contact Month 9 Design to schedule your design consultation!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Kits typically come standard with 4 rolls of plaster. This is sufficient to cast an average size woman's belly and breasts. Purchase additional plaster rolls if you are expecting twins or multiples, plan to include your shoulders or hands in your cast, or wear plus size clothing when you are not pregnant.
Step 2: Recruit a caster. Whether it is your spouse, mom or best friend, you'll need somebody to do the casting for you. You can help them by smoothing out the plaster strips as they are applied, but Month 9 Design does not recommend that an expectant mom try to cast her own belly.
Step 3: Plan your belly cast before you start. Determine what you want to cast - just your belly or include your breasts, shoulders, your hands, spouse's hahnds. See "M9D Design Form" PDF' below for common neckline and hanging options for your belly cast.
Step 4: Gather supplies & review casting instructions. See PDF below with M9D's casting tips.
In addition to your casting kit, you will need:
- disposable plastic drop cloth(s) to protect your floors and chair/stool you sit in during the casting.
- wide dish for dipping plaster strips
- chair/stool to sit in during the casting process
- sharp scissors for trimming your cast after it is removed from your belly
- old towels for clean-up
- camera -document your casting for your child's baby book!
Step 5: Prep, Cast & Trim. Make you cast according to the kit instructions. Once the raw cast has been removed from your body look for any holes in the cast and apply damp plaster strips to fill. You should also trim the edges while the cast is still damp.
Step 6: Save & Contact. Please save any leftover plaster strips or rolls! Month 9 Design will need them to reinforce the cast in weak areas. M9D will also need the casting stone and gesso you ordered with you casting kit. Once you have made your cast, contact Month 9 Design to schedule your design consultation!
Happy Casting!!!
| casting_instructions_with_m9d_notes.pdf |
| m9d_design_form.pdf |
