Weeds/Field Grass (Cheap!)

[Drew1125]

I found this big pile of twine out in my garage...it's what's commonly known as jute, or 'baling twine'...this stuff is great for making tall grass...

 

[Drew1125]

Start by cutting a piece about 3-5 scale feet in length...

 

[Drew1125]

...looks about like this in N scale...

 

[Drew1125]

Now put a drop of white glue where you want the clump of grass to be...

 

[Drew1125]

Just stick the grass into the glue...

 

[Drew1125]

You can kind of poke the fibers, spreading them apart, & you'll get something like this...

 

[ezdays]

Hey that's cool Charlie.:thumb: :thumb: I would think that the jute would soak up dye fairly well in case one wanted green or other color. I'm gunna give this a shot when I get back to my layout.

Don

 

[Catt]

Kewl stuff Charlie.Looks like a quick how to for the NARA site too.With your permission of course.

 

[csxnscale]

Great tip Charlie,
Don I think you can paint it once planted with a dry brush.
Dark green to the bottom, light green on top.
Paul

 

[Drew1125]

Hmmm...interesting idea, Don...you might not even have to fool with the dye...dipping the twine into some thinned acrylics might work as well.

Catt,
I would consider it an honor!

 

[jim currie]

great Charlie and if you use an awl to poke a small hole and put bunch in it will look like clump grass,

 

[Ralph]

That looks great Charlie! Nice little "how-to" as well.
Ralph

 

[spitfire]

That's a neat idea Charlie. Thanks for the tip!

Val

 

[Tyson Rayles]

:thumb: Nice tip Charlie!

 

[Vic]

Neato Charlie!!! I've been using strands from 1/4" jute rope for years to make the limbs for Aspen trees which have very "twiggy" type limbs.

 

[Arlaghan]

Very cool indeed! Is this the same string used to make pine trees by twisting it in wire? You could probably paint the stuff and make a variety of tall grasses with it...

 

[GNRail]

I was just going to mention that at Home Depot we can get green jute and I used it to make pine trees.


Garry

 

[CN1]

Great tip Charlie:thumb: :thumb:

Great tip Garry:thumb: :thumb:

Thanks guys for sharing your discovery:thumb: :thumb:

 

[shamus]

Very good tip Charlie, one for the Academy soon.
Shamus

 

[aartwmich]

Great idea Charlie!! :thumb: I would like to see Garry's pine trees out of green jute too!!