by Florence O. Bean - Assistant in Manual Arts - Boston Public Schools
Published by School Arts Publishing Company 1914
This is to be a more elaborate production than the blotter
described in Problem III (D). Compare C, Plate XIV.
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. Layout 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
which are to extend onto the back for half an inch
or more experiment with patterns cut from paper
(see Plate XVI).
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.
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
The designs should be simple and
appropriate, (see Plates XVII), 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. Practice 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
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 3/8 of an inch shorter and narrower than the foundation should be
pasted to the back. Dry all under weight.
Board
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