[Tutorial] The Revenge of the Teddy Bear - Japanese thatched roof made of towels

[Wellington]

After the recents mass killing of teddies bears I searched for a more teddy bear friendly solution für thatched roofs. And I don't like the look of the teddy bear roofs.

I believe I was inspired by an article in the WSS, but I'm not sure.

[Wellington]

1. Buy a towel in a fitting colour and structure
2. Cut the roof parts out of mdf (keep the original Sarissa roof for an alternative roof)

[Wellington]

3. Cut a piece out of the towel, large enough to fold it like in the pictures
4. Put glue on it
5. Fold it neatly to get some volume
6. Glue it on the mdf pieces

[Wellington]

7. Let the roof dry but check from time to time the fitting and form
8. Glue some pieces of mdf to the roof to hold it later in place
9. Cut a strip of towel for the roof ridge, glue it, fold it

[Wellington]

10. Fold a nice roof ridge and glue it on the roof
11. Make a mix of water, glue and colour like a proper american coffee, aka brown water
12. Apply the mix with a brusch on the roof
13. From time to time use a fork to bring back some volume
14. Let it dry and control the form and fitting from time to time

[Silent Invader]

Useful tutorial: it’s pretty much identical to how I made my thatch. The only real difference being that I used an old towel that had been chewed up by my dogs (and it was lurid pink!).  I can’t remember what inspired me but it was I think 8 years ago that I made these:

[Wellington]

15. After successfull test run ... mass production

[flatpack]

They look very professional, nice job.

[Digits]

Yes, that’s really rather good.  I may try that myself some time.

[Hammers]

That's looking pretty darn good. In fact, I think this method is superior to using skinned teddy bears. Most RL thatched roofs I have seen have a much more groomed appearance that what you achieve with teddy fur and glue.

Some houses, especially those thatched with neatly cut reeds age to something which, from a distance, has a almost silvery, velvet like quality. I have considered using grey velvet sometime in the future.

[Cacique Caribe]

Stunning results!

Dan

[carlos marighela]

An oldie but an enduring goody. I agree, with the possible exception of really rough, primitive huts, towelling makes a much better thatch than teddy bear fur.