- Tour : See 3 thatched structures on-site including the Strawbale Studio!
- Demo & Hands-on Thatching. Try your hand at thatching on a small, indoor frame.
- Lecture Class: Learn design and construction principles of creating a thatched roof. Learn when to harvest, how to store reed and when to apply the thatch.
- Overnight accommodations available*.
- This event has passed.
THATCHED ROOF 2 Day workshop Jan 21 & 22, 2023
9:30a to 5:00p Saturday & Sunday
Yes ! Thatching in Michigan ! Explore this beautiful, ecological, insulative & long-lasting roof system during this 2-day workshop. The Strawbale Studio roof was thatched before the turn of the century …in 1998 …and is still sound & beautiful.
Instructor: Deanne Bednar
Thatching on a frame
SATURDAY, Jan 21, 2023 9:30a to 5:00p Learn the basics of thatching a roof,
Harvesting Reed in the field
SUNDAY, Jan. 22, 2023 9:30a to 5:00p Hands-on reed harvesting & Thatching Videos
- Harvest & bundle reed grass. We will visit a near-by field, learn to identify suitable reed and using hand-tools, experience reed collection, bundling the reed !
- Transport & Store Reed in a Tipi. Learn techniques of safely transporting & storing for later use.
- View & discuss 2 Thatching Videos – from UK & Denmark – in the cozy main house at Strawbale Studio.
- $95 Early Bird Discount by Jan 1 or $120 thereafter.
- Bring a Friend Discount of -$20/person.
- Two 1/2 Pay Scholarships available. $55
- Class limited to 15.
- *Overnight accommodations & supper/breakfast available for $20
Payment information at Registration link
DETAILS
- FOOD Bring a BAG LUNCH for Saturday and Sunday — and if you are staying overnight, some extra food to share (anything will do). We will make supper together, and breakfast will be provided.
- CLOTHING Dress WARMLY : boots (preferably loose & waterproof) Sox – preferably wool or insulated, ski pants or a few layers of sweat pants (jeans are COLD). Hats, some work gloves. We will be both indoors & outdoors.
- OTHER Suggested: Bring a water bottle and perhaps a thermos for a warm drink. Snack for yourself or to share, if you wish. Camera, notebook, print out the Thatching Google doc to bring with you if you wish. LABEL your items 🙂
- OVERNIGHT option. If staying overnight, bring bedding if you can. If not we have sleeping bags, etc. There are some beds and cots, and couches, the floor! If staying overnight, Bring some extra food to share for supper and Sunday if you can. We can cook together.
INSTRUCTOR
Deanne demonstrating thatching technique
In 1998, a Master Thatcher from Europe lead a 12 day class here, and we learned about and helped thatch the Strawbale Studio under his guidance. Since then, I have helped to thatch the Strawbale Studio in Oxford Michigan, and directed the thatching on the Kensington Kid’s Cottage at the Farm Center in Kensington Metropark, Milford, Michigan. In the process, I have done a lot of reed collecting, and understand the basic principles of design and attachment for Phragmite reed grass roofing system. Although I consider myself a “novice thatcher”, certainly not a master thatcher, I feel confident in showing you how the common person – like you or I – can successfully and beautifully thatch a roof with minimal skills. I am a teacher, and a curious person. I find thatched roofs to be very intriguing and enjoy sharing the knowledge I have about it!
RESOURCES
Check out this Blog on a previous Thatching Workshop !.
Thatched Roof in the rain Tara & Tylers pics of Thatching 2012
The North side of the Strawbale Studio
Harvesting in the Reed Fields
2012 Retreat Cabin
Harvesting reed
Preparing reed bundles
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