TIME: 6 hours.
MATERIALS: Newsboard, vellum, cover paper, lining paper, tape.
(A). This portfolio consists of two foundation pieces of newsboard,
covered and lined with paper and joined by a back of vellum. Let the
size and shape of these covers be determined by the use to which they
are to be put. They may be for drawings, maps, compositions, etc. The
size of the newsboard will practically be the size of the finished
portfolio, and should be somewhat larger than the papers it is to hold.
Plan the back, which consists of two pieces of vellum, wide enough to
allow for the space desired between the covers, and also to lap onto
each cover at least one inch. One piece of vellum should be long enough
to lap over the ends of the newsboard about ½ an inch, and the other
piece should be about ⅛ of an inch shorter than the newsboard.
Plan the cover paper to be large enough to allow for ½ inch lap to fold
over the three free edges, but remember to allow a margin of vellum to
show at the other edge. Plan the lining paper to be small enough to
allow the foundation to extend beyond it at least ⅛ of an inch on all
sides.
Make dimensioned sketches of all pieces and lay out and cut all parts.
(See Plate XXXIX.) Place the newsboard foundations on the short piece
of vellum the proper distance apart, with equal amounts of vellum
extending under each. The newsboard, of course, will extend at each end
a trifle beyond the vellum. When the proper position is determined,
draw pencil lines lengthwise of the vellum indicating the edge of each
cover. Put paste on the vellum and rub down well onto the newsboard
forming the inside of the hinge. To make sure that the upper and lower
edges of the covers are in a continuous straight line, place a rule
or straight edge against one cover, extending across and beyond the
vellum; place the second cover against the rule and the edges will be
in a straight line. (See Plate XL.) Paste the second piece of vellum
onto the outside and turn the projecting ends over the newsboard,
pasting them down.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXIX. Dimensioned sketches of the parts of a
portfolio.]
Properly place one foundation piece on the cover paper, allowing the
vellum to show where it laps onto the newsboard, and draw around
it. The amount of vellum which is to show is a problem in space
division. Just how much will look well on the particular cover under
consideration should be carefully thought out.
Apply paste to the cover paper, noting that it requires more skill to
spread paste uniformly on a heavy paper than on vellum or lining paper.
Place one piece of newsboard on the paper as previously marked, turn
them over and rub down. A piece of cloth held in the hand and used for
rubbing the surface prevents finger marks; or the rubbing may be done
on a piece of paper laid over the surface. The cover paper should cling
firmly to the foundation at every point and this should be assured
before proceeding. Apply paste to the projecting laps, fold them over
and rub down. Treat the other half in the same manner.
[Illustration: PLATE XL. Pasting the newsboard to the vellum back.]
It is desirable to tie the portfolio together on one side at least. For
this purpose secure tape of harmonizing color and ⅜ or ½ inch in width.
About ½ an inch from and parallel to the front edges cut a slit through
both paper and newsboard of the same length as the width of the tape.
(This needs to be done with a knife or, better yet, with a chisel.)
Insert a piece of tape from 6 to 9 inches long in each slit and
securely paste at least 1 inch to the inside of the newsboard, allowing
the greater length to project from the outside. Paste the lining paper
on the inside of each half and this will cover the pasted end of the
tape. The portfolio is then complete.
(B). By a different arrangement of tape the same kind of portfolio may
be used as a magazine holder or cover for a paper book or pamphlet.
Plan the newsboard foundations to project ⅛ of an inch beyond the book
on three sides. The space between the two pieces of newsboard should
be at least an inch greater than the thickness of the book so that the
covers will lie flat when the book is inside. It will be seen that with
so wide a space the inner edge of the newsboard will not extend as far
back as the back of the book, and in planning the newsboard it should
actually be narrower than the book. Make dimensioned sketches of all
pieces and lay out and cut all parts.
[Illustration: PLATE XLI. A magazine in a stiff cover.]
Construct the covers as for the portfolio, but insert the tape as
follows: About ¾ of an inch from both upper and lower edges of the back
cover, and just where the cover paper laps onto the vellum, make slits
of the same width as the tape and parallel to the edges. Push one end
of the tape through from the outside and paste, with the end turned
toward the edge. Carry the tape over the adjacent edge along inside
of the cover and over the opposite edge where it should be inserted in
the second slit and pasted on the inside as at the other end. A little
slackness of tape is not objectionable. The lining paper may come to
the edge of the tape, or, with more difficulty, be slipped under it.
[Illustration: PLATE XLII. Simple borders suitable for use on a
portfolio.]
When one cover of the book has been placed under the tape, it should
hold it securely. (See Plate XLI.)
If desired, there is here an excellent opportunity for the application
of a cover design. This may consist of simple straight line borders
in lower grades, or of more elaborate designs in upper grades. (See
Plate XLII.) Lettering also may be used either singly or combined with
decorative figures. The design should be carefully planned before
any attempt is made to place it upon the finished cover. Erasures
are always noticeable and should be avoided. It is recommended that
straight lines should be drawn with a rule, and the distance of the
border from the edge measured either with a rule or a piece of paper.
The decoration may be applied with ink, crayons, or water color. Common
ink diluted gives the effect of a darker tone of the color of the paper
and as it is easily obtained it is on the whole a satisfactory medium.
(See Plate XLIII.)
[Illustration: PLATE XLIII. Some cover designs made by students at the
Sloyd Training School, Boston, Mass.]