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SHOULDER PLATES: CASTING and FIRING
Good firing begins with proper casting. Normal suggested casting thickness for porcelain dolls is 2-4mm; cast shoulder plates on the 4mm side of that measurement guideline. When you open the mold, allow the shoulder plate to set in one half until it is very firm. Many warping problems that are blamed on the firing actually happen at this leather hard stage. Consider placing the shoulder plate on a banding wheel or lazy Susan to reduce handling during the trimming. While firm, but still leather hard, trim as necessary and make any holes that may be required for attaching the cloth body. Smooth all rough edges with a sponge wet with water to prevent little cracks from forming later. Soft fire to cone 018 and complete cleaning. Take your time.
Most shoulder plates will fire better on a disk of porcelain that should be cast at the same time. Just turn the mold to largest flat surface and pour a puddle of the porcelain slip you are casting directly on the outside of the mold. This will create a shape resembling a pancake made of porcelain. Allow this to dry and slide it off of the mold. Put it aside on a flat surface until firing. There is no need to soft fire this porcelain disk prior to the bisque firing.
For more tips on firing shoulder plates, be sure to read the September/October Dollmaking magazine! There will be a full step-by-step, illustrated article describing the process.
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