Being involved in Theatre I have had my share of building flats similar to what you are talking about. I would have to say canvas works better vs muslin and would hold up to multiple times painting them.
If you simply think of a frame with center or diagnol criss cross support you can build a flat. I am not a carpenter and pretty much suck but I have built and painted a few flats in my lifetime. Most of the flats I have built come from 1x3 boards for the basic frame.
You could industrial staple the material used by stretching it or think in terms of how they stretch canvas when mounting a canvas portrait.
You just need to think larger terms....this is my experiences.
J T
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