Problem IV
Problem IV
Time: 8 hours.Materials: Newsboard, vellum, and lining paper.Note: As in Problem II, each of these models has a foundation of a single piece of newsboard, covered on the front with vellum, but on the back with lining paper.
A.A Needlecase
As shown at A in Plate XIII, the needlecase should be planned to hold four papers of needles, two at each end. The size of the case will depend on the size of the papers of needles, and must be planned accordingly. Make the width a little more than twice the width of a paper of needles, and allow a little space lengthwise between the papers of needles to permit their easy removal. The pockets are formed of strips of vellum pasted on to each end of the foundation, and their depth should be a little more than half the length of a paper of needles.
An accurate working drawing of the completed case should be made (see Plate XIV). From this, mark out and cut the newsboard to the correct size. The front covering of vellum should have laps on the sides only and may well be a little shorter than the foundation. Make freehand, dimensioned sketches of this piece, of the vellum pockets, and of the marbled paper. The pockets should have ½ inch laps on three sides for pasting to the back. On the other edge, which is to be free, allow at least an eighth of an inch to be turned over like a hem onto the wrong side for a neat finish. The paper for the back should be one-fourth of an inch narrower and shorter than the foundation.
Mark out and cut with the scissors, the pieces of vellum and marbled paper. The front covering should be pasted on first. Before pasting the pockets (which should be fastenedto the back only) turn over the hem, and crease it hard, but do not paste. The hem will extend onto the side laps. From these laps cut off the under side of the hem that it may not be double. Paste on the pockets and the back. Dry all under weight.
Plate XIII.A needlecase, a checkerboard and a blotter. Good problems upon which to practise the processes involved in bookbinding.
Plate XIII.A needlecase, a checkerboard and a blotter. Good problems upon which to practise the processes involved in bookbinding.
B.A Checkerboard
First decide on the size of the small squares, remembering that there are eight in each direction. Also allow for amargin, outside the squares, which should vary in proportion to the size of the squares. A single or double border line enclosing the squares is a desirable addition. (See B, Plate XIII.)
Make working drawings of the foundation, the front covering of vellum, and the back covering of lining paper. In selecting vellum for this model, have in mind the application of a color which is to be used on alternate squares. Either a deep red vellum with alternate squares of black or a dull green vellum with alternate squares of red is a good combination.
Plate XIV.An accurate working drawing of the completed needlecase, and dimensioned sketches of the pieces used for covering.
Plate XIV.An accurate working drawing of the completed needlecase, and dimensioned sketches of the pieces used for covering.
Lay out and cut all parts, using the card cutter for the newsboard, and the scissors for the vellum and the lining paper. As in previous models, lay foundation on the back of the piece of vellum, draw around it, and cover with paste the surface enclosed by the pencil lines. Again place thefoundation on the vellum, press it down hard, turn over both pieces and rub the vellum on the right side until it is smooth. When thoroughly rubbed down, paste laps, being careful to make neat corners. Paste on lining paper and dry under weight.
During a subsequent lesson, mark out the checkerboard, accurately, with rule and pencil. Only alternate squares need be colored, and this may be done with water colors, crayon, or pencil. If water colors are chosen, they should be used with as little water as possible. Before applying the paint to the vellum, the glaze of the surface may be reduced by rubbing over it the powder which comes from common white chalk. Rub the powder in with the fingers and lightly brush off what remains. On a separate piece of vellum, practice the application of color before applying it to the checkerboard, both to test the color itself, and to become somewhat familiar with the best method of application. After the paint is thoroughly dry, the surface may be cleaned by rubbing carefully with a piece of cloth. Finish by putting on the outside border line with pencil.
C.A Blotter
This is to be a more elaborate production than the blotter described in Problem III (D). Compare C, Plate XIII.
First determine the size of the foundation, which may vary from small-blotter to desk-blotter size. Consider proportions very carefully. A small blotter admits greater variance between length and width than one of larger size. Make dimensioned drawings of foundation, front covering of vellum or cover paper, and back covering of marbled paper.
When the foundation has been cut and the front covering pasted on, plan the corners which are to consist of separate pieces. Determine their size by setting off a triangleat one corner with a rule or pencil, moving the rule or pencil to vary the size of the triangle until one of satisfactory size is decided upon. Lay out on paper a triangle of the chosen size. The thickness of the foundation, plus the thickness of the one or more sheets of blotting paper which are to be placed under the corners, must be taken into consideration. Before adding the laps which are to extend onto the back for half an inch or more experiment with patterns cut from paper (see Plate XV).
Plate XV.Diagram for blotter corner.
Plate XV.Diagram for blotter corner.
The corners may be made of linen, vellum, cover paper, or skiver (a prepared leather which has been split by machinery). Cut them out by the pattern. To give a finish to the edge which is to be free, turn it over about ¼ of an inch. If leather is used, a portion of the under side along the edges should be additionally skived off, before turning over, to make the laps very thin. Cover paper, if used, may be re-enforced by pasting a piece of muslin onto the back.
These corners present an opportunity for applied design. The most satisfactory decoration for leather is “tooling.” On the other materials suggested, a design may be applied by stenciling or block printing.[4]
[4]Simple directions for these processes may be found in theSchool Arts Bookas follows: Tooling, June, 1908; Stenciling, June and October, 1908, March, 1912; Block-printing, June, 1907.
[4]Simple directions for these processes may be found in theSchool Arts Bookas follows: Tooling, June, 1908; Stenciling, June and October, 1908, March, 1912; Block-printing, June, 1907.
The designs should be simple and appropriate (see Plates XVI), and the color scheme carefully planned. Unlessa special study has been made of color harmonies, a combination of analogous colors or complementary colors is a wiser choice than a more complicated combination. Practise on paper until a pattern is secured, and apply it to the corners by the method decided upon.
Plate XVI.Blotter pad corners with original units by grammar-school children.
Plate XVI.Blotter pad corners with original units by grammar-school children.
When pasting on the decorated corners, the sheets of blotting paper should be placed on the foundation so that there will be room for their use. Paste the laps to the back of the foundation, being very careful to place the corners in exact position. Leave the sheets of blotting paper under the corners until after the whole has been pressed; otherwise the weight would crush the corners. When putting in new sheets of blotting paper, they can be more easily slipped under the corners if a small triangle has been cut from each corner of the blotting paper. A sheet of lining paper about ⅜ of an inch shorter and narrower than the foundation should be pasted to the back. Dry all under weight.