TIME: 6 hours.
MATERIALS: Newsboard, stay-tape or vellum, and a thin paper.
First determine the size of the box, which should be made for a
definite purpose. Consider the proportions of the width, length, and
height; also the height of the sides of the cover.
A box consists of foundations of newsboard, the edges of which are
stayed with strips of tape or vellum, and the outside covered with
paper. The cover should be larger than the bottom by ⅛ inch in both
directions to allow it to slip over the box. This amount will vary
somewhat with the thickness of the newsboard, the paper with which it
is covered, and the skill of the worker.
The foundation for each part is to be developed from a single piece
of newsboard. The box and cover are to be covered with a thin paper.
A great variety of paper for this purpose may be purchased, either
figured or in plain colors.
For the box plan a strip of paper long enough to extend around the
four sides and to provide for a lap where the ends join. Be generous
with this lap, as it will be found that the paper “takes up” when it
is pasted on. The width of the strip should be at least one inch more
than the depth of the box. For the cover, plan covering paper like the
newsboard development, but with its sides ½ inch or more wider to fold
over the edges. Let the corner squares serve as laps. Make dimensioned
sketches of all pieces and lay out and cut all parts. (See Plate XXIX.)
Along folding lines of the foundations score deeply with a knife, one
blade of the scissors, or with a pin, and fold with the crease on the
outside. It is essential to the success of the box to have this crease
on the outside to insure a sharp, straight, and strong edge, which
might otherwise be rounded, irregular, and weak.
[Illustration: PLATE XXIX. Drawings of the pieces required in making
boxes.]
Fasten the corners of both box and cover together with pieces of tape
or strips of vellum, lapping onto the sides. (See Plate XXX.) If
possible, allow the corners to dry before proceeding further.
Paste the strip of paper around the box, allowing ½ inch to project
beyond both top and bottom edges. Rub down well. Make a vertical cut
at each corner of upper projection and fold and paste laps down on the
inside. (See Plate XXXI.)
Make a V-cut at each corner of the lower projection, fold and paste
the laps against the bottom. (See Plate XXXII.) It will probably be
necessary to apply more paste before finally rubbing these laps down.
[Illustration: PLATE XXX. The box in process of construction showing
method of “staying” the corners.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXXI. Showing method of pasting the laps to the
inside of the box.]
Paste top of cover to the paper, leaving equal margins on all sides.
From the two long edges make cuts to the corners of the newsboard
foundation at right angles to its edges. Fold and paste paper over
the ends of cover first, and then onto the inside, using the thumb to
push the paper over the edges. (See Plate XXXI.) The cuts made from
the long edges give an extra length to end coverings. Paste this extra
piece onto long sides and then paste the part naturally to be used to
cover these sides. The appearance of the box will be greatly improved
by running the thumb and finger along the folded edges of the cover to
sharpen them.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXII. The laps are being pasted to the bottom of
the box.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXXIII. Here the paper is being pasted to the side
of the cover.]
In this manner, boxes of any size may be made. Small boxes may be
covered with linen, cretonne, or other kinds of cloth. In this case it
may be better (after making the foundations as already described) to
paste the covering to the inside of the foundation only, otherwise the
surface might be discolored by the paste oozing through the cloth.
A box with a glass top is sometimes desirable for holding specimens
of various kinds. Such a box may be made as above described with the
following changes: If it is to be a sealed box the specimens should
be properly placed in the box and the glass (which should be as large
as the outside measurement of the box to prevent its dropping in)
laid over the top before pasting down that part of the covering which
projects above the box itself. When properly arranged this should then
be pasted to the glass exactly as the laps are pasted to the bottom of
the box.
If a removable cover is desired, cut strips of newsboard for the sides
and a strip of material for covering them in the same manner that
the box is covered. After staying the corners with vellum, paste on
the strip of covering material; one edge of this should lap over the
newsboard and be pasted to the inside of the cover and the other should
hold the glass in position after it has been placed on the newsboard.