Thread: Duct Tape body

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I am going to start a Duct Tape body and the person (hopefully my Husband) will need to be in a sitting position with one leg crossed over the other.

Does anyone have any helpful 'tips' on going about making the body in general or about doing it in a sitting position?

Thanks

Natascha, here is a link you might want to visit for ideas.

http://www.vilethings.com/_other_me_...ape_double.htm

Thanks Madame, that is exactly what I was looking for! Now I just have to talk the hubby into it!

I love how you women take care of your men.

Both my "Shadow Man" and "Sleeping MAA" Duct Tape Dummies (DTD) are sitting. In both cases, I used my wife as the model for the lower half (from the waist down) and my son as the model for the upper half. Suggestions follow:

1) Do NOT use stretchy clothes (like tights) for the sacrificial clothing! Once your model is removed from the DTD, the stretchy fabric will pull away from the tape and the tape will stick to itself! Trust me on this. Use loose but not oversized clothing (long-sleeved T-shirt, etc). One time (at band camp), instead of sacrificial clothing, I wrapped my model with a layer of toilet paper as I went, which worked well, but was a little irritating, as the squares kept separating. Non-perforated TP would have worked better, I think.

2) Start by making a posterboard cutout "base" in the shape of the model's "butt print" and apply three layers of duct tape directly to it. Then, before having the model sit, add more tape hanging over the edges of the base and place it in the chair. Have the model, dressed in appropriate sacrificial clothing, sit on the base. Start taping the model with the pieces already started on the base. This prevents having to tape UNDER the model, and makes a nice, stable base for the finished product.

3) Work in stages. There is no need to make the model hold his or her arms up after the first layer is applied for the entire time it takes to finish all 3 layers. However, you should try to overlap the stages enough to ensure structural integrity and continuity.

4) Make your first layer vertical (long-ways on the arms & legs, up & down the torso, etc), your second layer horizontal (lateral - think mummy wrappings), and your third layer vertical again. The reason: horizontal layers tend to be less smooth.

5) Pre-fabricate (like you did the butt-print base) any hard-to-reach areas (crossed legs will create several of these). Or, move the limb away from the obstruction to wrap (all 3 layers), then replace to the desired position to continue.

6) Whenever possible, plan on adding non-DTD features, expecially masks, gloves, and shoes. This eliminates the tedious task of wrapping fingers, the dangerous task of wrapping (and cutting away) the face (& hair), and the often unnecessary task of wrapping feet (and toes).

7) When completely taped, draw your cut lines where it will be easiest to extract your model. Try to use as few cuts as possible. For examle, one cut from wrist to shoulder to neck will usually suffice for each arm. Then, once the cut lines are drawn, draw 1/2" long lateral match-marks every few inches (the results look like long Frankenstein-type scars & stitches). These will make lining up the cut edges much easier later.

8) I don't suggest using Great Stuff, as the expansion rate varies and you may lose a lot of your detail if it expands too much (not to mention re-open your cut seams). I like to use plastic grocery bags (which I collect all year) and scraps of plastic sheeting (which I save from the previous year's decorating). Don't be afraid to over-stuff your DTD. The more stuffing you use, the less likely your body will sag. Once stuffed, use lots of tape to close the cuts. You may even want to add a 4th layer.

Well, that's all I have for tips.

Thank You LV Scott T! Great Tips! Especially the "Butt Print"!

This year we are doing 'Face Your Fear' and one fear that was brought up was the Burger King 'King'.

So I am doing him and he will be sitting on a bench on our trail with one leg crossed and one arm over the back of the bench, should be a good photo op.

I bought the Mask, just arrived Monday (Now I want to put it on and go to B.K) so he would need tights, shoes, gloves for hands, Shirt/Dress, and Cape

Just here to reiterate the loose but not oversize clothing. Remember you need to fit the scissors under the clothing to be able to cut it away...

I used not-quite-still-fitting-but-can-get-them-on-fine clothing...and had plenty of scratches from the scissors to show for it. And, of course, the obvious, cover any holes in the jeans...we missed one and a portion of legs was awefull smooth for a while.

Originally Posted by UnOrthodOx

Just here to reiterate the loose but not oversize clothing. Remember you need to fit the scissors under the clothing to be able to cut it away...

I used not-quite-still-fitting-but-can-get-them-on-fine clothing...and had plenty of scratches from the scissors to show for it. And, of course, the obvious, cover any holes in the jeans...we missed one and a portion of legs was awefull smooth for a while.

Don't you just love learning by doing. It's the best way to never forget the important details.

Quetion... LV Scott T was talking about the body sagging (Don't we all) how well do they hold up over time, as I was thinking about it, would it be too soon to make one or will it hold up well til Halloween?

Originally Posted by natascha

Quetion... LV Scott T was talking about the body sagging (Don't we all) how well do they hold up over time, as I was thinking about it, would it be too soon to make one or will it hold up well til Halloween?

I made Shadow Man over 2 years ago, and he still sits up very well. I think if they are well-stuffed & re-taped, they will stay firm for many years.