Barefoot & Pregnant Belly Cast-Preserve Your Belly in All Its Glory
June 29, 2009
 While taking a belly cast requires a little effort (some patience and a pretty big sense of humor) you will end up with something that can only be described as a work of art. Mount it on the wall for all to enjoy, or (if you'd rather not have such a visible reminder of your girth) simply invert it and use as a fruit bowl or a bed for the dog. You need: 3 to 4 rolls of fast-setting plaster tape (available at most drug stores), 4" wide and 5 yards long Scissors Olive oil A disposable drop cloth At least one helper Cover the floor with a drop cloth. Cut the rolls of plaster tape into 18" strips and fill a basin with warm water. Wearing just underwear that you don't mind throwing away, sit on a chair so that you create a soft angle between your thighs and torso. To avoid the cast sticking to you (ouch), generously slather your upper body with oil, including the shoulders, tops of the thighs and around the sides of the torso. Have your helper hold a strip of plaster tape at each end and slide it through the water for a few seconds. Holding the strip taut, firmly place it on the belly. Repeat using a second strip, slightly overlapping the first. When you have a few in place, use a finger to smooth the plaster. Continue until you have at least two layers of plaster strips on your entire torso. Be sure to cover the tops of the thighs and the breasts to help define the shape of your belly. Ten minutes after completing the last layer, hold the sides of the belly cast as you carefully wiggle out. Handle the cast with care until it is completely dry (in about 48 hours). Then cut and shape any rough edges, and behold. It's your belly, preserved for posterity. 
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