Alternatives to wall paper paste for papier mache?

[S1ur]

Don't have any wallpaper paste to hand, has anyone got any good paste recipes?

Flour and water?
Glue?

TIA

[fruittea]

I'm sure we used flour and water as kids. Try googling for a recipe.

[fruittea]

1 - Flour and water glue:

To make a flour and water glue follow these instructions:

Boil 5 cups of water in a saucepan.

In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup of sieved flour with a cup of cold water. Mix to a smooth consistency (a bit like making custard). When completely free of lumps, add the mixture to the water in the saucepan. Gently boil, stirring constantly for two or three minutes until the mixture thickens.

Allow to cool before using.

This will make a runny glue. If you prefer a very thick glue (or if you are in a hurry for it to dry) use this recipe instead:

Thick flour and water glue:

Use 1 whole cup of flour to three cups of water. Make using the same method as above.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I use PVA glue

[2sugars]

flour and water. Though it will smell after a few days ....

[QueenyEisGotTheBall]

i was gonna say that MAS we thinned PVA glue with water when i was a kid the only problem is that it makes it difficult to paint your papier mache masterpeice afterwards but it is fun to paint the back of your hand with the PVA and peel it off when its dry anyone else do this? no? just me then
xx ei xx

[S1ur]

Ta all, went with 3/4 pva to 1/4 water in the end. Did google but also knew that the wisdom of mners would be able to give me hints

Hadn't thought about the difficulty painting, hmm. Well, we shall see.

Thank you fruittea, 2sugars, MAS and Ei.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

mm, you could rub the dried materpiece down with a bit of light sandpaper to roughen it up ! I usually finish with a layer of white tissue paper or two,makes a nice plain surface.

[Dingle]

I made a HUGE giraffe with DD this year and we used watered down PVA. Worked a treat.

[ja9]

DINGLE!!! That giraffe is AMAZING - we're not worthy!

[Riddo]

If you mix a bit of PVA in with the paint it goes on perfectly.

Fab giraffe Dingle.

[S1ur]

Hi, paint worked out okay, especially as it was only for a toddler pinata footbal so didn't need to be perfect.

Football pinata worked excellently - I recommend as party idea. Thank you for all your tips.

ps That giraffe is awesome!

[Dingle]

LOL...thank you...any ideas what to do with it now. It came back home at the end of term and it is now standing in my conservatory!!

[Spidermama]

Amazing giraffe Dingle.

[Spidermama]

I would give it a coat of yacht varnish and have it peering out of bushes in the garden.