How to Make an Item for a Float With Chicken Wire
- 1). Select the trailer you plan to use for the float. Cover the floor with inexpensive wood sheathing or thin plywood to give the chicken wire structure a solid base. Attach the sheathing so that it can't fall out during the parade. Pay careful attention not to damage the trailer.
- 2). Design your chicken wire structure. Use 1 by 1 inch lumber or any size scrap lumber that you have on hand to build the structure.
- 3). Cover the wooden frame with chicken wire. Form the shape of your object as you attach the chicken wire to the frame. This gives the chicken wire its 3-D effect. Attach the chicken wire securely to the frame with nails or staples.
- 4). Prepare the skirting on the sides of the float and the covering that goes over the sheathing. Attach it with staples.
- 5). Position the chicken wire structure on the float. Attach it to the sheathing. If necessary, add bracing for it so it doesn't fall down when the float moves. Allow for wind pressure as the float moves.
- 6). Cover the chicken wire object with floral sheeting material in appropriate colors to depict the chicken wire object. Attach the sheeting material with staples into the wooden form.
- 7). Add accessories to the chicken wire object to give it a more realistic appearance. For example, an animal mascot may have a football in its paw.
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