Ok folks, here's how I make most of my ground cover. It's quick, clean, blends with pre existing scenery and is reusable. Here's a list of the basic supplies needed. Fake fur from craft store (Hobby Lobby for me), wax paper, scissors, marker, shaker of ground foam, cheap hairspray and liquid nails for projects. Use the wax paper to trace a pattern directly from the layout and write "top" on the topside. Cut out the wax pattern and lay it upside down on the backside of the fake fur. Trace it's outline with the marker and cut out the scenery piece. Test fit the piece on the layout. Next take your fingers and rough up the fur a bit rubbing it against it's grain so to speak. This gives a more realistic look. Then sprinkle on your ground foam to taste. Spray it down pretty good with the hairspray. If you want a hill or rise in the terrain add a foam piece in place. Turn your fake fur section over and run liquid nails around the edges and carefully glue it in place. Be careful not to squish glue out from the edges if possible. If it does it will be covered later. The edges will blend right into adjacent scenery using ground cover material. Next I'll cover the area across the tracks. I used the same technique but was able to reuse a section pulled off my 4x8. I just used a wax paper template and cut it out and added a bit more ground foam. In order to add trees you must cut a slit into the fake fur with a razor knife to allow the tree through. Then the magic happens. Use natural materials for scenic details like trees and bushes. Roots and dried moss are great materials. Be creative and look around outside for ideas. Thanks for reading.
The next time I'm near a Hobby Lobby, I'm going to have to look for some of that fake fur. Can you give me an idea of what department it will be in? Also, if moss is still growing at my parents' house, I can get some there. Does it not turn brown as it dries? If so, do you spray paint it green? Thanks so much for posting this. - Brandon
Nice clinic Jim. Hadn't thought of using a tan or brown fur for the underlay, but that sure gives you a nice blend of color and keeps it from being overly green, looks real natural. Thanks for posting this.
Thanks, guys! The fake fur is sold in the fabric dept. It's sold by the yard and pretty cheap. I also bought the package of moss there in the floral section. Big fat bag for only about $4. I'm a cheap skate. The moss stays green somehow.
Another aspect of using fake fur is that it can be used to represent a wheat field. Height of the fur can be controlled with a pair of hair clippers, a pair of scissors, etc. Left long it can represent an uncut field or part of it can be cut, etc. I would assume that there are other types of crops that can be represented as well. Tony L.
Fake fur? Wheat field? I just got an idea. (Scary.) I have a tractor with a pull-behind hay cutter, a hay wagon, and a baler. (I have no idea if that is the correct terminology). The cutter has a hitch to pull the wagon or the baler. Anyway, I might be able to cut part of some fake fur super short and leave the other longer to model the tractor cutting and possible baling hay. I can't wait until I have an excuse to get to a Hobby Lobby. That's just one of the disadvantages of living metropolitan Sulligent, AL (pop. 1900 & shrinking).
Must be nice to live in a thriving metropolis! My nearest town has 421. No such thing as a Hobby Lobby around here, but I do have JoAnn's in the next town over that has a population of 4,300. My wife made the mistake of dragging me in to Joann's and I was all over that place looking at fabrics and stuff. Boy, this hobby sure is changing when we look forward to going to fabric stores. That and looking at - http://www.dmcolor.com/products/ for scenery possibilities.
