How To Make a Perforated Pattern

For Victorian ladies to make a perforated pattern, they would follow the following directions:

Procure a piece of American bond paper (or thin writing paper), 12 x 14 inches, and make it transparent by rubbing it all over thinly with clarified linseed oil. Hang it up to dry; it takes some time to dry, but must be thoroughly dried before using. Paper thus prepared is called Tracing Paper.

You have now merely to place this paper over the engraved design, and with a lead pencil trace out the outlines with a steady hand. The design being accurately traced, the pattern is ready to be perforated. Lay a couple of folds of cloth on the table, place the traced pencil sketch upon this, and with a needle of medium size, prick out the pattern, being careful to follow the outlines and make the perforations quite close. By placing three or four sheets of paper under the traced sketch and pinning them together, a number of patterns can be pricked at once.

That is all there is to making your own perforated patterns.



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