How to Build a Bamboo Chuppah

Cinder Block Base

• 1

  Measure the face of the cinder block with the hole in the center.

• 2

  Roll a 2-inch-thick slab of clay the size of the cinder block, using the rolling pin.

• 3

  Press the cinder block onto the clay to form a box, with the open end of the block pointing upward. Wrap a thick clay snake around the base of the cinder block to make the base secure.

• 4

  Cut eight pieces of cardboard the size of the cinder block. Cut a 3-inch wide-hole in the center of each piece of cardboard. Stack the cardboard pieces and tape or glue them together.

• 5

  Stuff the end of the PVC pipe with clay. Wrap a 1/4-inch-thick sheet of clay around the end of the pipe.

• 6

  Lower the covered end of the PVC pipe into the cinder block. Place the cardboard plate over the end of the pipe so it catches on the rim of the cinder block.

• 7

  Mix a thick batch of concrete or plaster and scoop it into the cinder block around the PVC pipe. Fill the cinder block to the rim.

• 8

  Center the cardboard plate so the pole is centered in the cinder block and standing upright. Hold the plate in place with bricks or cinder blocks. You can also use a stool or chair to support the pole.

• 9

  Wait for the material to set as directed by the manufacturer.

• 10

  Remove the bricks and cardboard plate. Twist the PVC pipe while pouring water around the pipe to remove it; water will dissolve the clay sheet encasing the pipe.

• 11

  Cure the concrete for two to three weeks under a plastic tarp in a cool, moist area. Spritz the concrete with water every two to three days to strengthen the block.

• 12

  Clean out the clay inside the cinder block footing, using soap and a stiff brush.

• 13

  Paint the blocks so they match the color of your fabric.

Roof

• 14

  Lay two 8-foot-long, 1-inch-wide bamboo dowels parallel on the ground 6 feet apart.

• 15

  Lay two more 8-foot-long, 1-inch-wide dowels 90 degrees on top of the first two dowels to form a square. The end of each dowel should extend 1 foot past the square.

• 16

  Soak the cotton rope in warm water for five minutes.

• 17

  Bind each corner of the bamboo square with the wet rope. Wrap the rope around the poles so that it crisscrosses over the intersection every way possible. Knot the end of the rope to the bamboo and tuck the loose end under the binding.

Legs

• 18

  Stand one of the 3-inch bamboo poles upright. Place the base of the pole in the notch formed by the ends of the 1-inch poles where they extend past the intersection.

• 19

  Lash the poles together with wet rope so the 3-inch pole remains upright with a 2- to 6-inch length extending beyond the intersection. Stand the poles up while lashing, if necessary, to achieve the overhang.

• 20

  Repeat steps 1 and 2 at each corner.

• 21

  Turn the frame over. Insert each of the 3-inch legs of the chuppah into one of the cinder block supports.

Fabric

• 22

  Cut the fabric in half. Drape one length of fabric over the chuppah diagonally so an equal amount of material hangs over the opposing legs of the chuppah. Drape the material so it hangs over the ceiling of the chuppah as desired. Arrange the material so it passes around the top of the leg post and falls in the notch created by the inch-thick poles.

• 23

  Wrap a cable tie around the top of the leg pole and around the material. Pull it tight to secure the material at this point. Tie a ribbon over the cable tie.

• 24

  Gather the material around the post. Use additional cable ties and ribbon to secure the material so the desired drape and length are achieved.

• 25

  Lay the second length of fabric across the chuppah diagonally in the opposite direction. Attach it to the leg posts as described in steps 2 through 4.

• 26

  Observe the roof of the chuppah. The material draped across the top will form an X. Spread open this material to fill in the roof. Pull each side of the draped material toward the nearest pole. Sew a ribbon to the fabric and tie the material so it remains open.

• 27

  Arrange the material or additional pieces of cloth around the base of each leg to disguise the cinder blocks. You can also place the cinder blocks into a large plant pot and surround them with bouquets, florist stones or seashells.