Problem III
Problem III
MOUNTS AND PADS
Time: 6 hours.Materials: Newsboard, vellum, and paper for memorandum pad, or calendar,or pad to be mounted.
We shall now begin to deal with materials that are more exclusively employed in bookbinding work. The simple articles considered at first are not books; but because the processes involved and the materials used will be used later in the more difficult work of binding a real book, they are made a part of this course.
The wise teacher will become somewhat familiar with handling the required materials before attempting to give instruction. It is recommended that two or more models from each problem be made by the teacher before selecting one for the class.
The articles described in Problem III (See Plate VII) consist of a foundation of a single piece of newsboard, covered back and front with a bookbinding cloth.
A.Mount of a Calendar or Picture
First secure the article to be mounted and then determine the size and shape most desirable for the mount. Never make the mount first and then attempt to find something to fit it.
To determine the size of the mount, place the calendar or picture on a sheet of paper and find the most pleasing margins by laying a pencil on each side of the article. Increase or decrease this margin by moving the pencils back and forth until a satisfactory position is found, as shown in Plate VIII. Indicate this position by a line on each side.In the same manner, establish top and bottom margins. The margin at the top may equal that at the side, or be a trifle wider or narrower;[1]the one at the bottom may equal the side margins or be wider, but never narrower, and always greater than the top margin. Draw lines for top and bottom and the size of the foundation is indicated. A fraction of an inch may be added or subtracted to give even measurements.
[1]In a vertical sheet, wider; in a horizontal sheet, narrower.
[1]In a vertical sheet, wider; in a horizontal sheet, narrower.
Plate VII.Mounts and pads made by children.
Plate VII.Mounts and pads made by children.
Working drawings should now be made of the completed model, showing the location of the calendar, also of the front and back.
Make them either accurately or freehand as described in Problem I. If the latter method is used, some sense of proportion should be observed. That is, do not draw 3 inches as long as 6 inches, nor 4 inches longer than 7 inches. The size of the foundation has already been determined. The front covering should be ½ inch larger on each side than the foundation, to allow for laps which are to fold onto the back of the newsboard. The back covering should be from ¹⁄₁₆ to ⅛ of an inch smaller than the foundation on each side, as the finished product looks much neater if no raw edge is visible from the front.
Plate VIII.Deciding upon the right size mountfor a picture by experiment with pencils.
Plate VIII.Deciding upon the right size mountfor a picture by experiment with pencils.
In Plate IX, the first drawing is of the face of the completed model showing the location of the calendar. This also shows the size of the foundation. The other two drawings show the size of the two pieces of vellum. If the first drawing seems too complicated, omit the location of thecalendar, and draw and dimension only the outside rectangle to give the size of the foundation.
The pieces of material given out should be a little larger than the finished size, although unnecessary waste should be avoided. No attempt should be made to cut these pieces carefully or regularly. Each pupil should be led to depend on his own initiative in the use of the rule and triangle. An irregular edge which is not a guide, is more educational than straightedges and right angles which are of considerable assistance.
Plate IX.The completed mount showing the locationof the calendar, and the two pieces of vellum.
Plate IX.The completed mount showing the locationof the calendar, and the two pieces of vellum.
With rule, triangle, and pencil, carefully lay out each part from the drawings already made, and cut the coverings with the scissors.[2]The foundation is more successfully cutwith the paper cutter, as to cut it with scissors is a very difficult task for little hands and likely to loosen the scissors at the joint. The most desirable way is for each pupil to cut his own newsboard, in which case the ruler fastened to the cutter may be used to insure the correct size without any preliminary measuring. If the cutter is deemed unsafe for the pupils’ use, the proper size may be marked on the newsboard with pencil and the pieces cut by a large boy or by the teacher.
[2]Selvage should never be allowed to remain on a covering of vellum. A “raw edge” pastes down more closely and is, therefore, less apparent. Vellum tears very easily lengthwise, and a torn edge may be allowed if it is to be covered. If not to be covered, all edges should invariably be cut.
[2]Selvage should never be allowed to remain on a covering of vellum. A “raw edge” pastes down more closely and is, therefore, less apparent. Vellum tears very easily lengthwise, and a torn edge may be allowed if it is to be covered. If not to be covered, all edges should invariably be cut.
When the pieces have all been cut, place the newsboard on the back side of the front piece of vellum, with the margins equal, and draw around it. Cover the surface inside the pencil lines with a thin, even coat of paste.
Much of the success of the work depends on the pasting and rubbing. The paste is of the right consistency when put up by the dealer, and if it dries somewhat after being opened, a little water thoroughly stirred in will make it all right. The brush well filled with paste should be passed over the surface of the covering material with long even strokes. No dry spots should be left, and especial pains should be taken to cover the surface close to the pencil lines. Look across the pasted surface toward the light to see if it is entirely covered; looking directly down upon it does not reveal the dry places. Rub the brush rather heavily over the surface to make the paste sink into the cloth.
While pasting, several sheets of newspaper are invaluable to protect the desk, the model, and the fingers. With a few quick strokes of the card-cutter, cut off the folds of a newspaper, leaving loose sheets the size of half or a quarter page. Each desk should have several sheets, placed one on top of another. When the top sheet has become sticky, discard it. A perfectly clean surface beneath it is ready to be used in the same way. Press the newsboard on the pastedsurface, turn it over,[3]and rub it down very hard on the right side of the vellum. When rubbing the vellum on the right side, a small piece of cloth for each pupil prevents finger marks, and enables the pupil to rub harder as the cloth protects the hand.
[3]When turning over any part of the model which has a pasted surface, take hold near the center as far as possible, as handling by the edges or corners is likely to remove paste from the places where it is most needed.
[3]When turning over any part of the model which has a pasted surface, take hold near the center as far as possible, as handling by the edges or corners is likely to remove paste from the places where it is most needed.
Before pasting projecting parts, the corners should be cut. Two methods are shown in the illustrations. In the first, two adjacent projections are turned onto the back of the foundation. Be careful that they fit very closely to the sides of the newsboard, press down with the fingers, and hold them very firmly. At the corner will be a surplus piece which should be pinched to stand upright. Slanting the scissors very slightly upward, cut from the corner toward the center. (See Plate X). The second method is to make slanting cuts from the outside of the vellum toward the corners of the newsboard. (See Plate XI). Apply paste to the projecting sides, fold over and rub down; treat the ends in the same manner.
Plate X.Clipping the corners.
Plate X.Clipping the corners.
If it is desired that the completed mount shall hang on the wall, make a loop of ribbon, tape, or vellum. If tape or ribbon is used, choose the color very carefully; that which matches the vellum is the best choice; but, if a contrast ispreferred, choose a soft color which has some quality in harmony with the vellum. Paste this loop to the back of the foundation, allowing it to project above the top. Apply paste to the back covering and rub it down very firmly, being careful that no loose edges are left. Instead of pasting on a loop, a hole may be punched near the top with the eyelet punch, and an eyelet inserted. This should be done after the back is pasted on.
Plate XI.One method of cutting the corners.
Plate XI.One method of cutting the corners.
According to plan, paste on the calendar or picture. Dry all under a weight. If several mounts are to be placed under the same weight, it is better that each should be separated from the others by a sheet of blotting paper, or several thicknesses of newspaper. Allow them to stand over night. In the morning they will be found sufficiently pressed.
B.Mount for Memorandum Pad
Secure a small pad, and plan a mount to extend beyond the pad ⅛ inch or more on each side. Draw plans, work out, and paste as in A. Instead of a loop by which to suspend the pad, make a holder for a pencil to be placed on the right side of the mount. Cut a strip of vellum one-half or three-quarters the length of the mount. At each end of the strip turn about ⅛ inch onto the wrong side to give a finished edge. To secure the correct size, fold the strip over the pencil to be used, and, with the pencil still folded in, pastethe two long edges of the strip together, and then to the back of the newsboard, having it placed midway between the top and bottom edges. The pasting of the back covering then follows. Remove the cardboard back from the pad before pasting it to the mount. Dry under weight.
C.Pocket Memorandum Pad
This is intended to be carried in the pocket, and its size should be governed by its use. Avoid rectangles which approximate the square, but choose rather such proportions as 2 × 3 or 2½ × 4. As in A, make working drawings for the three pieces. If desired, the first drawing may be of the completed face. (See Plate XII.) Lay out and cut all parts.
Plate XII.A front view of the memorandum pad accurately drawn to show proportions; also drawings of the vellum coverings.
Plate XII.A front view of the memorandum pad accurately drawn to show proportions; also drawings of the vellum coverings.
On the front piece of vellum lay the newsboard as in A, and draw around it. From the corners indicated by the pencil lines measure equal distances along adjacent lines, and connect the points by straight lines. Be careful not to make these lines too near the corners, ¾ of an inch to 1 inch being a good measurement for a small pad. Cut onthese lines with a sharp knife, or folding the ends of the line together, cut along the line with scissors.
Apply paste to the front piece, being careful not to paste outside the slanting lines at the corners, for this space should be left free to hold the sheets of paper. One way to protect these corners is to insert a piece of newsboard or paper in the slits, from the right side of the vellum, so that the corners on the wrong side are covered. The paste may then be applied with freedom. Remove the protecting piece of newsboard and paste the vellum to the foundation. Finish as in A without the hanger, or, if desired, add pencil holder as in B. Cut several sheets of white paper ⅛ of an inch smaller than the newsboard, and, when the paste is thoroughly dry, insert them in the slits.
D.Blotter
Like C except that it should be large enough to hold a school blotter. Increase the size of the corners to be proportionate to the size of the blotter.