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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: PLATE VIII. Deciding upon the right size mount for 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 the calendar, 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.
[Illustration: PLATE IX. The completed mount showing the location of
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 cut with 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.
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 pasted surface, 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.
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.
[Illustration: 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 is preferred, 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.
[Illustration: 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.