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I have a query partially related to papier mache involving glue, even though Im going to be using it on fabric.
For some crazy reason I have a desire to make an ice queen style mask but I'm intending to have a fairly ornately cut headdress piece attached to it. I am going to try to make the piece in question using glue stiffened felt, the glue will be PVA (also I have some HI-tack which ill use) but Im concerned that there will be the danger of a headdress that goes droopy in the presence of moisture in the air (like damp weather etc)
Im also asking this question because I've lined some masks with felt using PVA and Im concerned that when a person is wearing them, natural perspiration will loosen the glue and make the backing slide off or work through the felt, will this happen with ordinary PVA glue?
Does anyone have any thoughts on whether PVA is resilient and strong enough without going droopy(or loosing its adhesive/stiffening properties in the presence of moisture) or whether I should use a different type of glue?
Many Thanks
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One thing I can tell you is that, should your pva made mask get wet, the glue will go back to it's original colour of white, until it has dried out again. (See Brian bushybeard in "Waterproofing papier mache"): http://www.papiermache.co.uk/articles/w … ier-mache/
If you go to the results pages you can see a pic of him after a heavy shower of rain! 
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PVA is water-resistant, but not waterproof. When it is exposed to moisture (such as perspiration), it will get softer. I suspect that the amount of softness will depend on the amount of moisture it absorbs, and that may depend on how much the wearer is perspiring. There could be a difference if the wearer is just walking around, or doing some energetic dancing, etc.
You might want to make a very basic trial mask and wear it for a while.
Sue
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Well I had a go at stiffening some craft felt using a mix of PVA and hi tack but, as I suspected, it didn't work as well as I hoped. Far too floppy although the shape I forced it into did take but because I need it practically rock solid it's back to the drawing board for me.
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