This page I have made up to try to demonstrate how I use PVA glue on my figure's uniforms. I can't remember where I found out about using this glue, so I cannot claim full credit for the idea. Below are two images of the uniform trousers, which have been washed to tone down the colours, and before I applied the glue on them.

The three images below show how I have prepared the glue and water mix, in the left picture below I have a saucer of water and I am adding the PVA glue to it. The second picture shows how the glue dilutes down in the water, and after adding a little bit more the picture below right shows the mix ready to use. (Note: Make sure you use a saucer that the wife will not miss)

When I am happy with the mix and the pose of the figure, I then just brush it onto the uniform to get the clothing wet. Once the uniform is damp, as with the trousers below, I then start to sculpt the folds into the clothing. This is just a case of pressing the folds into the trousers with the wet brush. In the picture below right, I have used a pair of tweezers to create folds in the trouser bottoms, which I then 'painted' with the glue mix.

To make larger folds, I have pinched the clothing together as in the picture below left, again once happy with them. I again used more of the glue mix on each side of the fold to keep it in position. As you do the front of the trousers and work your way around to the back, keep an eye on the folds that you have already done. Because as you make more folds in the side and back, it may undo the one's you made on the front.

These images show the folds in the uniform jacket, and to get these I found it easier to pose the arms in position, and then again 'paint' the mix into the folds. Re-arranging them to suit the look that you are trying to get. If you are using patches on your figure, I find that it is easier to fix them in place after the uniform has dried. This way you can get the badge to sit better, and it will wrap around the folds better. Note: Remembering that it is better to try to keep the area that the patch is going onto reasonably flat, or with a slight fold. Because some of the sticky patches will keep coming undone on the edges if the folds are too thin, or raised too high.

Another benefit of using this glue on the uniforms, is that when it dries it is clear, plus it makes the cloth resemble tent canvas to the touch. Which helps the pastels to stick to the uniforms, which I use next to add dirt and make the uniforms look faded.