Which Flour For Paper Mache?

[Devsmom]

My celiac DS has a spanish pinata project that they are working on all of next week at school. (10th grade)

He knows he can't partisapate if all the wheat flour is mixed in the room where they are working--- to much in the air to breath in don't ya think?

but I thought if the wheat flour for the others is mixed in another room then he could at least join in on the project if he has his own flour but not sure of right combo of flour. Does anyone know what would work best for paper mache?

I read somewhere that liquid starch could be used instead of flour. I'm not familular with liquid starch, anyone ever used it for paper mache?

Any advice is good advice--------

Devsmom

[nettiebeads]

My celiac DS has a spanish pinata project that they are working on all of next week at school. (10th grade)

He knows he can't partisapate if all the wheat flour is mixed in the room where they are working--- to much in the air to breath in don't ya think?

but I thought if the wheat flour for the others is mixed in another room then he could at least join in on the project if he has his own flour but not sure of right combo of flour. Does anyone know what would work best for paper mache?

I read somewhere that liquid starch could be used instead of flour. I'm not familular with liquid starch, anyone ever used it for paper mache?

Any advice is good advice--------

Devsmom

How about white glue? 1 part water to 2 parts glue.

Have you checked into wall paper paste?

[nettiebeads]

My celiac DS has a spanish pinata project that they are working on all of next week at school. (10th grade)

He knows he can't partisapate if all the wheat flour is mixed in the room where they are working--- to much in the air to breath in don't ya think?

but I thought if the wheat flour for the others is mixed in another room then he could at least join in on the project if he has his own flour but not sure of right combo of flour. Does anyone know what would work best for paper mache?

I read somewhere that liquid starch could be used instead of flour. I'm not familular with liquid starch, anyone ever used it for paper mache?

Any advice is good advice--------

Devsmom

I googled and found this site. The person used cornstarch in place of flour.

Open Original Shared Link

There wouldn't be any flour floating around, but if your son were to use gloves or something and was very aware of the cross contamination (wash hands immediately after handling stuff so he doesn't accidentally ingest anything) he should be okay. I've made pies with flour and not had problems - but was very very careful

Hope this helps and hope he has fun.

Annette

[penguin]

We used to use watered down mod podge. I don't know if it's gluten-free or not, though.

[Devsmom]

I googled and found this site. The person used cornstarch in place of flour.

Open Original Shared Link

There wouldn't be any flour floating around, but if your son were to use gloves or something and was very aware of the cross contamination (wash hands immediately after handling stuff so he doesn't accidentally ingest anything) he should be okay. I've made pies with flour and not had problems - but was very very careful

Hope this helps and hope he has fun.

Annette

Thanks Annette-appreciate advice & your time. Looked up web site then elmers glue. Wasn't sure what thats made of but found out its gluten free also.

Never thought of gloves-that could work. He may have to wear a mask too. & be CAREFUL!

I am going to call his teacher tonight and explain ds situation.

DS is not happy being "different" kids can be cruel.

It took 5 1/2 years for dx, by then he became smallest kid in the class. Hasn't been easy for him

Thought I read somewhere about people glutened from breathing in flour dust.couldn't find threads.

not sure how ds would react, quess he's been thru so much I don't want to find out either.

Thanks again,

Devsmom

[Devsmom]

We used to use watered down mod podge. I don't know if it's gluten-free or not, though.

Chelse

Thanks for replying.I have a jar of decoupage but it doesn't say what the ingreds are. Just says acid free.

I guess there are a few different ways to make paper mache'

The problem is the class as a whole. DS is suppose to take 5Ibs of flour to school tommorrow. I'll decide what to do after I call his teacher tonight. Hopefully he WILL try to understand.

Thanks again for your help!

Devsmom

[Nancym]

Flour!?! We always used starch, like the liquid starch for laundry, or Mod Podge or glue.

[MallysMama]

I know you're really concerned for his safety doing this project - but please, don't make him wear a mask!! Let him stay home "sick" if necessary to get him out of the project making - but making him wear a mask that no one else is wearing will just bring on the tormentors!! It's only been 5 years since I graduated high school - and it's such a horrible place to be different!! (I'm not saying it's bad to be different - but being a teenager is hard enough w/out sticking out like a sore thumb in high school.) I never had issues being around flour (I've had celiac my whole life)....as long as his face isn't right up in it - I doubt the tiny amount of dust can cause a major reaction (unless maybe he's super sensitive).

[Devsmom]

I know you're really concerned for his safety doing this project - but please, don't make him wear a mask!! Let him stay home "sick" if necessary to get him out of the project making - but making him wear a mask that no one else is wearing will just bring on the tormentors!! It's only been 5 years since I graduated high school - and it's such a horrible place to be different!! (I'm not saying it's bad to be different - but being a teenager is hard enough w/out sticking out like a sore thumb in high school.) I never had issues being around flour (I've had celiac my whole life)....as long as his face isn't right up in it - I doubt the tiny amount of dust can cause a major reaction (unless maybe he's super sensitive).

Yes- I know your right. DS was actually the first to mention the mask because he didn't want to miss the whole week & get stuck with some other homework, buttttt after thinking about the situation he didn't want to wear a mask either. I called his teacher to make him aware of potential problems. He knows mixing should take place on opposite side of room & that DS should not be involved in that. He is leaving the door open for him if he feels he needs to leave he can. Sounded real nice.

They are working in groups of two & my first picture was of everyother desk having puffs of powder in the air. (panicked).

This will be a trial as to reaction or no reaction as he is chosing to not wear gloves unless he absalutly has to. The class is using wheat flour.

DS has stayed away from any gluten contact so don't actually know if anything will happen... he's been gluten free for 10 months

Thanks for posting

Devsmom

[MallysMama]

Yes- I know your right. DS was actually the first to mention the mask because he didn't want to miss the whole week & get stuck with some other homework, buttttt after thinking about the situation he didn't want to wear a mask either. I called his teacher to make him aware of potential problems. He knows mixing should take place on opposite side of room & that DS should not be involved in that. He is leaving the door open for him if he feels he needs to leave he can. Sounded real nice.

They are working in groups of two & my first picture was of everyother desk having puffs of powder in the air. (panicked).

This will be a trial as to reaction or no reaction as he is chosing to not wear gloves unless he absalutly has to. The class is using wheat flour.

DS has stayed away from any gluten contact so don't actually know if anything will happen... he's been gluten free for 10 months

Thanks for posting

Devsmom

I hope the project went well! I hope your son didn't get sick and managed to have a good time too! You sound like a great mom (like mine!) who would do anything to keep her child safe and healthy!

[Lynxear]

I hope the project went well! I hope your son didn't get sick and managed to have a good time too! You sound like a great mom (like mine!) who would do anything to keep her child safe and healthy!

I wish I had thought of this earlier.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE IDEAL SOLUTION

Have the whole class make their project using corn flour!!!!

here is a recipe for the glue using corn flour.

Open Original Shared Link

If everyone used corn flour then your son would be able to participate with no fears or feeling left out or requiring speacial needs.

[Devsmom]

I hope the project went well! I hope your son didn't get sick and managed to have a good time too! You sound like a great mom (like mine!) who would do anything to keep her child safe and healthy!

DS has worked in the flour paste the last 2 days in spanish class. He thinks he did good with it. It didn't bother his skin. He has suffered problems from other allergies on dailly basis so I don't think his headache, dizzyiness, over all 'eugh' feeling is from the flour project. He recently got over ear fluid of 5 months that kept him light headed- it might not be cleared out. Plus he is allergic to mold & a couple class rooms at school have mold on the cieling so he always comes home with shiners and feeling crapy. The rest of week I think they're just painting. Sounds like he had fun with it.

I do try to be a good mom & would do anything to keep him safe & healthy. He is a good kid, am very proud of him.

Thanx for everything-

Devsmom

I wish I had thought of this earlier.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE IDEAL SOLUTION

Have the whole class make their project using corn flour!!!!

here is a recipe for the glue using corn flour.

Open Original Shared Link

If everyone used corn flour then your son would be able to participate with no fears or feeling left out or requiring speacial needs.

This was another great idea , although this one requires boiling water which I don't think would have worked in a class room. I will keep it in my project folder for future reference.

Thanx-

Devsmom