How do I Make a Pueblo Home From Plaster of Paris?
Pueblo homes are made from a mixture of dirt, water and straw, which are called adobe bricks after they harden. The mixture is placed in brick-type molds, packed solidly and dried under the sun. The bricks are then stacked to make the walls of a Pueblo home. A thick layer of mud is put on the outside of the bricks for a smooth appearance. Make a model of a Pueblo home using plastic needlepoint canvas and plaster of Paris.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic needlepoint canvas
- Ruler
- Fine-point permanent marker
- Scissors
- Yarn
- Plastic canvas needle
- Plaster of Paris
- Water
- Container
- Mixing spoon
- Paint scraper
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Paper plate
Instructions
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1
Measure and mark the needlepoint plastic canvas and make two 4-inch x 7-inch rectangles for the front and back, two 4-inch x 5-inch rectangles for the two sides and two 4-inch by 7-inch rectangles for the top and bottom of the house. Cut out each rectangle on the lines for a total of six pieces.
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2
Separate the four rectangles for the front, back and sides. Draw windows and doors where desired. Use scissors and cut out the desired windows and doors.
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3
Cut a piece of yarn 18 inches long. Thread the needle. Do not double the thread. Tie a knot on the end of one string.
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4
Sew the sides to the front and back of the house to create a rectangular box. Match the 4-inch side of a 7-inch-long and a 5-inch-long rectangle. Sew every other hole and secure the two pieces together. Repeat the process with the other two rectangles. The sewn sides will look like two capital Ls.
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5
Place the two capital Ls together to make a rectangle. Sew the two remaining edges together by stitching in every other hole. Place the doors so the bottoms are on the same plane.
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6
Place a 4-inch by 7-inch rectangle on top of the plastic box to create a top. Sew in every other hole to connect the top to the sides. Repeat the process with the bottom of the house.
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7
Mix the plaster of Paris according to the directions on the container. Add small amounts of the plaster of Paris to the wet mixture until the consistency is like pudding.
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8
Use a paint scraper and spread the plaster of Paris on the plastic canvas. The process is the same as frosting a cake. Cover the front, back, sides and the top.
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9
Let the plaster of Paris dry for eight hours. Use acrylic paint and paint the exterior the desired color.
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Tips & Warnings
Change the dimensions of the house to create either a larger or smaller version.
Mix a small amount of plaster of Paris to begin. It will harden very quickly. It will not hurt the design if the plaster of Paris begins to harden on the plastic canvas while more is being mixed.
