How to Make Birch Bark Covers

I am absolutely in love with birch trees and pine trees. I have always considered them to be my two favorite trees. There are numerous craft projects that these wonderful trees provide tools for. Today I thought it would be nice to write about an easy way to use the bark from a birch tree to turn something old into something new again.

Birch bark is fabulous to work with on many craft projects. There is very little work in the preparation and the bark is so flexible that it can be used to cover just about anything. Here is all you will need to know to get started on your own craft project using birch tree bark.

Items Needed To Work With Birch Tree Bark :
1. Clean, dry, insect free birch bark
2. A chainsaw
3. A blunt knife for peeling bark
4. Vinegar and Water mixture
5. Buckets
6. Clothespins
7. A good wood glue (click here for a great selection of glue)

Gathering And Preparing The Birch Bark :
The first thing you will want to do is be sure to dress properly for a walk out in the woods. Wear a good pair of socks and hiking friendly shoes. You will be looking for any birch trees that have come down naturally in the not too distant past. If you are familiar with the land that you are looking for your birch trees on it will be much easier.

Once you find some fallen birch, the first thing you will need to do is check it for obvious signs of rot or bugs infestation. Peel back part of the birch bark and take a close look at and under it. If you find it to be free of rot and bugs and the size you are looking for, it is time to take it home.

Cut larger sections of birch than you intend to use. Peel back thick layers of the bark while making it a point to keep as much of it together and in tact as possible.

After you get your birch bark home, you will want to mix buckets of cool water mixed with vinegar. Use about two cups of vinegar for every gallon of water you use. Dip and soak your birch bark in the mixture till it is fully wet and as clean as possible. Use clothespins to hang and dry the bark naturally.

Sizing, Cutting, And Covering With Birch :
The first thing you will want to do is get a measurement of the circumference of the item you intend to cover with the birch bark. The picture featured with this article shows a planter covered in the birch tree bark. I used a simple tape measure to get the measurement i needed.

No matter what you are covering with the bark, you will want to cut the bark an inch longer than your measurement. You will also want to cut two pieces for every covering so that you can layer them on top of each other. This will ensure that if any of the bark peels away over time, there will be plenty under that layer to keep your item looking great.

Now is the time to use your glue to dot the entire surface of the item you are covering. You will then wrap the birch bark around this item and press firmly. Use your glue generously on the under side of the extra inch of bark and press it firmly to the bark.

The overlapping of the birch tree bark is exactly where you will want to start to glue the second layer of bark on to the top of this layer. Repeat the overlap and glue on this layer and you have a finished project.

I hope this article was helpful and that you enjoy many craft projects using birch tree bark. If you enjoyed this craft idea please consider clicking here for more of my craft and hobby projects.

Source :
http://www.michaels.com/