I have done the bathtub soak for a couple of woodworking projects. Once with 1/16" walnut and another time with 1/8" cherry. The same technique may work here.

Soak the strips in the tub. I used hot water (from a tea kettle) and wrapped the strips in towels to help keep the wood warm and moist.

Test a strip and keep applying the hot water until it feels sufficiently pliable.

When the strips feel ready, wrap them around the form, clamp them up and leave them to dry (this may take a day or two if there are several strips - be patient).

Once the strips are dry, unclamp them, apply the glue and reclamp.

Steve