How to make paper mache

He paper mache It is a very useful paste for an infinity of crafts. For those who do not know, papier-mâché is a technique that uses paper and glue to shape sculptures and modeling that, when dried, becomes rigid according to the shape you have given it.

Today I will explain how to make homemade paper mache, using only flour, water and salt. Later I will teach you how to put it into practice to make crafts with your children.

Ingredients for making homemade paper mache

2 parts of water and one part of flour with salt are needed, an adequate proportion would be:
• 125 g flour
• 450 ml of water
• 4 tablespoons salt
• Newspaper cut into strips or pieces, depending on what you want to do

How papier mache is made

1. Mix the salt together with the flour in a large bowl. We put salt so that mold does not appear on the paper mache.
2. We pour the water into the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until the pasta is smooth and lump free (it should have a thick tail).
3. If it is too thick, we will add a little more water and if on the contrary it is too liquid, we will add a little more flour.

Paper Mache Technique

1. With the help of a brush or brush, we will introduce the strips of newspaper in the paste and let it soak well. Depending on which surface we are going to cover, we will first paint it with the mixture of flour and water so that it is impregnated with the tail.
2. We stick the strips in our structure and continue applying the dough with the brush.
3. We form a first layer and let it dry completely.
4. We line with a second layer following the same technique.
5. Ideally, make 4 or 5 layers so that the structure is strong and resistant.
6. So that the result is optimal, the last two layers can be made with toilet paper instead of newspaper (but only the last ones, if you use them at the beginning it breaks too easily and it would not fit). With these layers at the end of toilet paper you will have a better result because it will give a white finish easier to paint.
7. Once all the layers are ready, we let dry for one to two days.
8. We sand with a soft sandpaper to remove burrs (this step you can skip).

When to use paper mache

There are thousands and thousands of ways to use paper mache, you can do from a costume helmet to a bracelet. Soon I will put a post with a tutorial to do some of these things, stay tuned.