Monday, August 16, 2010

How I made the roof, part 3 of 3

Finishing, and the top ridge
At the top end of each ridge, make a cut across the fold at 1cm (3/8") down from the end as shown.
Now cut off the folded bit as far as the first cut, so you have removed the ridge part. Make sure that it lies flat when opened out. Repeat for each ridge.

And now the part where I don't have photos of the process - I didn't think to take them while I did the original roof! I was too busy trying to get it right to be bothered with the camera as well :)

Make sure your pieces are cut straight and square. Leave extra at the back as the sheet is hard to measure accurately with the folds making themselves known :)

Spread tacky glue onto the roof surface and spread evenly. Start laying the painted sheet from the front to the back (it may help to have a friend hold it up from the glue as you work your way across). Smooth it down along the 'valleys' (I used a soft cloth), and also push into the ridges with a ruler (not a metal one, it may chip the paint) to make sure they sit down neat and crisp.
It also helps to squeeze the ridges down at each end with a pair of tweezers as the glue dries. The ridges will try to rise up a little, and as the glue gets more tacky may need help to be pushed down.
When it's dry, trim the back edge. I left 1cm extra and folded it down onto the back of the house.
The top roof ridge.

Take your extra piece of painted card, and cut it 3cm wide along the length, and mark the centre line. Pre-fold this, then run a line of glue along the centre line. Lay a length of fine dowel along this. The dowel I used was the same diameter as toothpicks (you could use these instead, after cutting off the points).
Let the glue dry.
Glue this piece and lay on the roof with the edges meeting the folded ridge ends.
The dowel lies along the top edge. Press gently with your fingers along and around the dowel to delineate it a little. Trim the ends.
And here's your roof!

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for the turtorial! The roof is great!:)

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing this with us - very well explained and shown.

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  3. Very clever roof design! Looks like a lot of work!
    I would worry about smashing the ridges since they are made of card. I move my house around too much I guess? I used skinny wooden dowels for my house and so far the roof has held up well. Your roof looks much more realistic than mine. Great job!

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  4. It really doesn't seem like paper or card, Glenda! Your painting is so neat , it almost feels like you used airbrush. Same with the walls. I find it very difficult to get that kind of consistency .

    Your tutorial is very clear and concise. Extremely easy to follow. Do you think card is good for bigger houses? Or only suitable for smaller ones? I know the Retreat is for smaller project but it is still 1:12 ? It looks so petite in picture :).

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  5. Gracias por el tutorial, eres un encanto.
    besitos ascension

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  6. Thanks, ladies!

    Kathi - these ridges are surprisingly strong and flexible.

    Sans - my painting isn't even at all!! The card would be ok for bigger houses I think, depends on the look you want. I know that this style of roof isn't pretty - I was aiming for realism :)
    The Retreat is 1:12, it measures 50cm wide.

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  7. me entantan tus trabajos y gracias por las tutorias

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  8. I admire you detailing. I wish I could be as precise as you!
    Best Wishes
    Neomi

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  9. Thank you Glenda so much for sharing this tutorial!

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  10. This is a fabulous tutorial Glenda, thanks! And the roof looks totally awesome.

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