Requirements

Body. 2 Strips 3/4 in. thick, 3 in. wide, 23 1/4 in. long. 2 Strips 3/4 in. thick, 3 in. wide, 33 in. long.

Glass. 1 Glass 16 in. by 26 in.

Back. 1 Stiff Pasteboard, 16 in. by 26 in. 1 Piece heavy brown paper, 18 in. by 28 in.

Construction

The frame is quite easy to make, but care should be taken to make the joints a good close fit. Plane the strips true and smooth, and cut the ends perfectly square. The longer strips should measure exactly 33 inches long; the shorter ones 23 1/4 inches long. Halve both ends of the longer ones 3 inches back, thus:

and halve one end of each of the shorter ones in the same manner, and groove out the other end of each of the shorter ones, thus:

keeping the outer edge of the groove 11/4 inches from the end. The groove will be 3 inches wide to receive the end of the longer strip. Wrap a piece of sandpaper around a block, and smooth all the cuts until they fit perfectly when the strips are matched together. A rabbet 1/4 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep must be cut in each strip along the edge, forming the opening to receive the glass, picture, and pasteboard backing, thus:

making the short strips right- and left-handed.

Fit all the pieces together and mark and cut the rabbet in the long strips, which will be along the edge on the uncut side of the strip. Lay both long strips flat on their backs, parallel with each other and about 16 inches apart. Coat each joint with hot glue and fit the side strips in place, and hold each corner tightly together with a screw clamp. If no clamps are convenient, put a weight (a flat-iron, for instance) upon each corner after first using the try-square to square it. Or the frame may be fastened at the joints with four short screws set in from the back, the length of which must be slightly less than the thickness of the frame. Insert glass, picture, and pasteboard back, and secure with small tacks. Stretch brown paper over the entire back, and glue or paste its edges to the frame.