Box a Week Challenge--Box #4

This week's box challenge is a little bit of a cheat. I used box making techniques but instead of a standard box, I decided to make a slip case. A slip case is a very important model to learn to master because they can be so useful in protecting books or for using as a gift presentation.

The problem with making a GOOD slipcase is that there is a lot of pre-planning that needs to happen. First, you must line the inside of the box before assembling it. In my case, I went with a blue Canson paper. Because the boards can warp while drying, you must also line the outside of the box so that it dries evenly. The outside lining can be any waste paper that you have since it will be covered with the book cloth. In my case, I simply used newsprint. The problem with lining boards is that you must have an idea of how much board to line so that you don't waste board or paper. I usually will line an entire sheet of binder's board and will save the leftovers. The other problem is that it is much easier to cut the board once it is lined rather than line individual pieces.

Once you have your boards lined, you must cut and assemble your slipcase. This leads to another problem--you must be very careful in gluing your joints because excess glue will be seen as it discolors the liner paper.

Once you cover the box with book cloth, you are presented with a final problem--exposed turn-ins. Because your turn-ins will be exposed in the open end of the box, you must be exact in your cutting, gluing, and turning in. If your measurements are off in any direction, your turn-ins won't line up.