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Making Wire Frame Canvas Decoys |
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Post-head Canvassing |
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Next step is to seal the bird before canvasing. This step can also be done before wiring, the choice is yours. I use Varathane waterbased outdoor polyurethane and give it 2 good coats. Afterall this is protecting the bird! |
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Time to start canvassing! To size the canvas you'll need stretch it over the widest part of the bird and give it 2 to 3" extra on both sides. it should also be long enought to go fro the bottom of the breast, along the profile past the tip of the tail. 36" wide canvas works fine for a goose with a resonable amount of waste. |
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The sequencing of the canvas attachement is largely up to you, with personal preference and what works for you guiding the way. I start at the front laying a staple in the center about 4" back from the edge. **Note, don't worry about proud staples right now, you want them! |
| With the front tacked in place stretch the canvas to the back as tight as you can and tack it to the tail. |  |
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Pick a side, any side.... With one side of the bird pull it snug and staple about 1/3rd of the boddy down. |
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Now the important part..... Do the same on the opposite side, but this time pull the canvas as tight as you can. |
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With the sides tacked it should be looking a little like this.... |
| Begin working your way around the bird, alternating sides, keeping it as tight as you can while you go. |  |
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Unless you are doing a large bird, pleats are inevitable. |
| To mak a pleat (really hard to describe, easy to do) pull the fabric off to the side tightly and tack it. |  |
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Beggining |