Chapter 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 triangle at 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).

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 the _School Arts Book_ as 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. Unless a 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.

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.

Problem V

MOUNTS AND COVERS

TIME: 6 hours.

MATERIALS: Newsboard, vellum, and lining paper.

NOTE: Each article in this problem has two foundation pieces covered by a single piece of vellum, which forms a hinge between them, and the whole is lined with marbled paper.

A. A CALENDAR STAND

First make or secure a calendar, which should be of small size. If desired, a picture may be used with the calendar, but it should harmonize with it in size and color. In such a case plan to have the space between the two much smaller than the margins, so that the eye will take them in as a group, and not as two separate objects. Decide on the margins as described in Problem II, and thus arrive at the proper size for one of the foundation pieces of newsboard. (See Plate XVII.)

Make a dimensioned sketch of this piece, and plan to have two made of newsboard. For the outside covering plan a strip of vellum which shall be long enough to cover both pieces of newsboard when placed about one-eighth of an inch apart, and to make half-inch laps on each side and end. Plan a strip of vellum about an inch wide and as long as the width of the foundation pieces to form the back of the hinge; and two pieces of lining paper, each one-eighth of an inch smaller in both directions than the foundation pieces. Make dimensioned sketches of these pieces (see Plate XVIII), lay out and cut all parts.

In the center of the narrow strip of vellum mark off a space one-eighth of an inch wide, extending lengthwise of the strip. Apply paste and lay the two pieces of newsboard on the vellum and with edges against the lines drawn. Press hard on the newsboard, turn it over, and rub down the vellum. A hinge is thus formed for the two pieces of newsboard. Lay these pieces on the large piece of vellum and draw around the whole. Apply paste to the vellum inside the pencil lines. Lay the double foundation on the pasted surface with the narrow strip of vellum on top. Rub down the outside surface very hard, leaving no wrinkles or rough places; clip the corners as described in Problem II, paste the laps, fold them over, rub them down, and line the mount with the pieces of marbled paper. Connect the front and back halves of the mount by a single or double strap of vellum pasted to the inside of each. Finish by pasting on the calendar and picture.

NOTE. If the calendars are made for Christmas, a most appropriate time, the children are sometimes desirous of decorating with Christmas seals. These are not so desirable as a decorative picture, but if the teacher feels that to forbid their use would be dispiriting to the child, she should insist that only one seal should be used and that on the back of the standard where it will carry its message, but will not detract from the appearance of the face of the mount. An envelope might be made in which to present the calendar, and the seals used on the outside of the envelopes.

B. ANOTHER CALENDAR MOUNT

Plan the back standard to be smaller than the front instead of the same size. Plate XIX suggests a suitable trapezoidal shape. In this case the vellum must be of the same length as before, but cut to fit the different widths of the newsboard (compare Plate XX).

Plan a narrow strip of vellum to line the hinge, as in A. Paste this piece and the outside covering as before. Cut the lining paper of the correct shapes and apply to the back.

C. A NEEDLE-BOOK

This consists of covers with leaves of flannel. Decide upon the size of leaves, which should not be too large and in good proportion. One piece of flannel should form two leaves, as in booklets described in Problem I. Plan the covers to be one-eighth of an inch larger in each direction than the leaves. These should be constructed like the calendar mount already described in A, but the space between should be greater, perhaps three-eighths of an inch. Make dimensioned sketches of all parts. The parts should then be laid out, cut, and pasted. Finish the edges of the leaves by pinking (cutting in small points). Four leaves are sufficient. Sew them to the cover as described in Problem I.