How to Make a PVC Stretcher Frame for Silk
Silk painters use a steam set dye technique to create water-color like effects on lengths of tissue silk. The silk must be stretched on a frame and suspended, either vertically or horizontally, so the dye does not collect on a hard surface beneath the silk as it is painted. Make a stretcher frame for silk painting from PVC pipe. PVC is inexpensive even for long lengths, cuts easily, is lightweight and holds its shape, thus making it the perfect material for a stretcher frame for silk.
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of silk to be painted.
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2
Measure two lengths of PVC pipe the exact length of the silk and add 4 inches. Cut these two lengths of PVC with a hacksaw.
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3
Measure two more lengths of PVC pipe the exact width of the piece of silk and add 4 inches. Cut these two lengths of PVC with the hack saw.
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4
Apply PVC glue with the brush that comes with the glue to one inside edge of a PVC elbow joint. Apply the glue to the outside edge of one of the PVC pipes. Slide the end of the pipe into the elbow joint.
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Glue the other three pipes by applying PVC glue to the inside edges of the elbow joints and the outside end/edge of the pipes. Glue the pipes so the two pipes measured for the length of the silk are parallel, and the two lengths of pipes measured for the width of the silk are parallel.
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Allow the glue to dry completely and cement the square or rectangular frame before getting it near the silk or subjecting the frame to the pulling force of stretching the silk to keep its shape from skewing.
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Tips & Warnings
Position the glued elbow joints onto the pipe lengths carefully but quickly as PVC glue actually bonds the PVC plastic and thus cannot be repositioned or removed after a few seconds.
