INSTRUCTIONS

 1.  Decide on how much of mom's pregnant torso you want casted.  
     Some mothers want to cast only their belly, and others want 
     to include their breasts as well.  Some moms even place their 
     hands on their belly for an added personal touch.
    
 2.  Choose the location.  It is probably best to do the bellycast 
     in the kitchen or bathroom where you have easy access to a 
     water supply for dipping the plaster strips.  Ensure the 
     temperature of the room is warm enough to be comfortable for 
     mom while she is being casted.
    
 3.  Mom should sit in a comfortable chair, leaning slightly back.  
     It is best to sit on the edge of the chair since this position 
     results in a rounder, fuller cast.  If mom wants to include 
     her breasts in the bellycast, it is best that she not lie down 
     during the casting as the breasts will usually hang to the side 
     and may look strange when completed.  Also, it is best NOT to 
     stand when making the cast - I doubt any pregnant woman would 
     appreciate having to stand still for the better part of an hour.
     
 4.  Spread the plastic dropcloth (included in the kit) under mom's 
     chair to protect the floor.  It is also a good idea to spread 
     towels or an old sheet over the chair to protect it from drips 
     of plaster.
     
 5.  The caster (i.e. person doing the casting on mom) should wear 
     old clothes or an apron to protect his/her clothes during the 
     casting process as it can get a little messy.
     
 6.  Open the plaster rolls and cut them into strips of 6 inches 
     and 12 inches long.  Those are the sizes that will be easiest 
     to work with.
     
 7.  Cover the entire area of mom's body that will be casted with 
     petroleum jelly (included in the kit).  Be generous with the 
     application since this is what will prevent the plaster from 
     sticking to mom. 
     
 8.  Put on the latex gloves (also included in the kit).  Put some 
     room temperature water (70-75 degrees Fahrenheit) in the sink 
     or bowl.  Cool water will slow down the set time and warmer 
     water will speed it up.  Now, dip one plaster strip at a time 
     in the water for only 3-5 seconds (longer dip time may result 
     in plaster loss or preset).  DO NOT let go of the wet strip as 
     it will easily fold or twist.
     
 9.  Once the strip has been dipped, gently run your index finger 
     and thumb down the strip to squeeze out excess water (just to 
     ensure it is not dripping wet).  Then firmly press the plaster 
     strip onto mom's torso, taking a few seconds to smooth it out 
     with your fingers.  The strips should be overlapped and applied 
     in different directions in about 3 layers to ensure cast 
     strength.  You should try to work fairly quickly since the 
     plaster strips will begin to dry within 5 minutes of 
     application on the skin.
     
 10. When you and mom are satisfied with the coverage of the strips,
     it will take another 10-15 minutes for the bellycast to set 
     enough in order to remove it from her body.   You can tell the 
     cast is set by tapping on it.  If you hear a "tap" sound and 
     not a "squish" sound, then the plaster has set.  Wait a few 
     minutes longer to ensure the strips have really set before 
     trying to remove it from mom.
     
 11. When the cast is set, it will start to pull away from mom's 
     torso by itself.  You should loosen the edges first and then 
     gently pull on the cast to remove it from mom's belly.
     
 12. Once the cast is removed, it should be stored in a dry area 
     until it completely dries out.  This takes at least 48 hours 
     and may take longer in more humid climates.  It is important 
     you not try to decorate or finish it before it is completely 
     dry since it may start to mold.
     
 13. Use the sanding screen (included in the kit) to smooth out any 
     plaster bumps if you so desire.  NOTE:  Do not try to sand the 
     underlying gauze itself as it will do nothing except make the 
     finish look "knobby".  Sanding screen is only to be used on 
     unsmoothed bumps or ridges of plaster.  Don't expect the 
     finish of the cast to be glass-like smooth because it will 
     not be.
     
 14. It is completely up to you how you decorate your finished 
     bellycast.  Some moms leave it as is and hang it on the wall.  
     (Suggestion:  It can be dressed up simply by poking holes all 
     around the cast and threading a decorative ribbon through.  
     Then you can tie a bow in the middle on the top or bottom of 
     the cast.)  To reinforce and seal the cast, you can apply gesso 
     (acrylic priming paint, available at arts & craft stores).  
     Then you can paint a design on it or decorate it by sticking on 
     some photographs, dried flowers, or anything else you may desire.  
     One idea is to wait until baby is born and decorate the cast 
     with baby's handprints and footprints.  Some moms even have their 
     bellycasts bronzed (or you could just give it a metallic look 
     with silver or gold paint).  Do with it whatever your heart 
     desires.  It is your piece of art - your masterpiece.
 
 15. HAVE FUN!