How to Make a Fake Arm Cast

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A fake arm cast can be useful in a number of situations. Maybe you want to play a prank on your friend, or maybe you need a cast for a costume. You can use a simple method, such as making a cast out of toilet paper, or a more complicated method, such as sewing a reusable cast on a sewing machine, to make a fake arm cast.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Make a Fake Arm Cast Using Toilet Paper

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  1. Decide how far you want your cast to come down you arm.
    • For this type of cast, it's best to not go past the elbow.
    • This type of cast will look more like an older plaster-type cast rather than the fiberglass wrapped cast most often used today. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Starting just below the marker line, begin wrapping the toilet paper around your arm in two layers. Tear off the paper.
    • At this point, don't cover your hand. Focus on the part of your arm below the wrist.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Hold your arm under water for a few seconds, wetting the paper thoroughly.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Press the paper to your skin, squeezing out the water as you go.
    • It's acceptable to have a few wrinkles or tears. You're going to be covering that layer in more toilet paper.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Wrap it around the same part of your arm.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Hold your arm under the water for a few seconds to wet the toilet paper.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Press out the water, pushing the paper in towards your arm.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Continue adding paper until you have a thick layer of toilet paper on the bottom of your arm.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Connecting it to the rest of the cast, wrap the paper around your hand, going above and below your thumb.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Add layers, wetting them as you go. Be sure to press the paper down to your arm so the excess water is squeezed out.
  11. You can rest your arm on a towel or pillow to allow the cast to dry.
    • Alternatively, try using a hair dryer. [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Cast Using a Sock, Gauze, and Duct Tape

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Cut the ankle out of the sock. Cut a small triangle off at the ankle, leaving it attached on the top side. [3]
    • If the sock is long enough, you can cut off the foot all together. Basically, you want to create on log tube that will fit over your arm. By cutting off just the heel, you create a tube that lays flat on your arm.
    • Use a sock that you don't care about, as you will be damaging it beyond repair.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Snip off the end of the sock at the toes so you have an even toe. [4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Leaving about two inches or so at the bottom of the tube, cut out a small section to fit your thumb through.
    • Using sharp scissors, cut a half circle in the folded sock, creating a hole for your thumb.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Pull the sock up as far as you want the cast to come up your arm. If it's too long, cut off part of the sock to make it shorter. However, you want to leave some to fold over the end of the gauze.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Starting at the bottom, wrap you arm in the gauze. Leave some space at the bottom of the sock to fold over the gauze. Overlap each layer. When you reach your hand, wrap over and under your thumb, leaving your fingers free. [5]
    • Don't wrap it too tightly, as it will cut off circulation.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Fold the ends of the sock over the gauze.
    • This step isn't vital, but it will make the ends look neater.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Starting at the folded over edge of the sock at the bottom, wrap colored tape around your arm, overlapping as you go. You can use masking tape or duct tape.
    • Make sure not to wrap it too tightly. You don't want to cut off the circulation.
    • Work in smaller pieces to make it easier. Use about a foot of duct tape at a time so it doesn't fold back on itself.
    • You can use sports pre-wrap in place of the tape.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    If the edge of the duct tape overlaps near your thumb too much, carefully cut off the edges.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Fake Cast with a Sewing Machine

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Start where you want the cast to begin at the bottom of you arm and measure up to the top of your palm. Write down the number.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Wrap a measuring tape around the thickest part of your arm. Write down the number. Wrap a measuring tap around your hand just under the thumb. Write down the number.
    • Add 2 inches to each of these measurements for overlap.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Use the length and the circumference measurements to measure out a piece of flannel.
    • Angle down each side from the larger circumference measurement to the smaller one.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Also cut out cotton batting for the middle in the same size.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Place one piece of the flannel around your arm. Make sure it overlaps an inch on each side at the thickest part.
    • The part at the top of your hand will have a whole for your thumb eventually.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Use an old pair of tights. You can use colored tights or white tights, depending on your preference. [6]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Put a piece of flannel on the bottom, the batting in the middle, and a piece of flannel on top. Lay out the strips of tights on top.
    • The strips of flannel should overlap each other and zigzag across the cast. They should also run width-wise not length-wise.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Run along the edges of the strips to sew them on. You can use a plain stitch or a zigzag strip.
    • You can use the same color for the thread as the tights or use a contrasting color.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Fold the cast in half length-wise. About an inch from the top, cut a round hole big enough for your thumb with small scissors.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    Using a zigzag stitch, run around the edges of the cast and around the thumb hole.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fake Arm Cast
    On the two long sides, sew on matching Velcro strips.
  12. Velcro it in place.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What should I do if someone wants to sign it?
    Community Answer
    Tell them that it hurts for anyone to touch it, or that the doctor (or your parent) told you not to let anyone sign it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 29 Helpful 88
  • Question
    Can you give me simpler instructions on how to make a cast?
    Community Answer
    Grab a sock, cut off the toe, and wrap it in gauze and bandage wrap. You may want to put cardboard on the bottom or sides first to make it look more realistic.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 55
  • Question
    How do I make a leg cast?
    Community Answer
    You can use the same method, but you will also need to borrow crutches from a friend or family member.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Be sure not to use this trick to get out of school, gym, etc; you can get in trouble if caught!
      • You could also use paper towels or cut a piece off an old white blanket.
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      Warnings

      • Be careful when cutting your cast off. You don't want to cut yourself, which is another reason to keep your cast loose.
        Thanks
        Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/plaster-care-your-childs-arm-plaster
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgedkxWeedA
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2bzqycbo1Q
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZOg4RMe_K0
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekCaWxecMbY
      6. ↑ http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-all-bandaged-up-arm-cast-for-an-18-doll/2011/07/13/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make a fake arm cast to fool your friends, you can use toilet paper. To start, wrap 2 layers of toilet paper around the bottom part of your arm and wrist. Then, hold your arm under the tap until the toilet paper is thoroughly wet. Squeeze out the excess water then wrap on more dry toilet paper. Repeat this process a few more times or until your cast looks realistic. Finally, allow your cast to dry. Alternatively, you can use a sock and duct tape to make a fake cast. To do this, cut the toes off an old tube sock and cut a hole for your thumb. Slide the sock onto your arm, then wrap colored duct tape around the sock until it’s fully covered. To learn how to use a sewing machine to make a fake arm cast, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Skyler Cruz

        Nov 22, 2016

        "It worked so well, my friends said, "OMG what did you do, are you okay?" and "Can we sign it?"."
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