TO MAKE THE CONVOLVULUS FLOWERS.
No. 7.
The Convolvulus, termed, by Botanists, Monopetalous, from its being composed of only one petal, is exceedingly well adapted for leather work; it is made by cutting a half circle of leather with a little piece cut out of the centre of the diameter, as seen in the annexed engraving ([Fig. 1]). The leather so cut must be wetted and veined, then bent round (the smooth side inside, so that the smooth side of the leather form the inside of the flowers) until the two edges on each side of the notch come together, where they are to be joined by being either stitched or glued together; it will then have a conical shape, and must be moulded with the fingers, or the mould, until it assumes a natural appearance; the top can be cut to shape, and that part is finished; cut the stamina, as in ([Fig. 2]), leaving a stalk of leather attached to it in the following manner:—take a piece of basil about a quarter of an inch wide and a few inches long; cut the top as in [Fig. 2], taking care to preserve the form of the anther at the top of each stamen, and rolling the stalk part up, put it through the petal and glue it in its proper place. The calyx has five leaves ([Fig. 3]), and is cut in one piece of leather; a hole is made in the centre, it is strung on the stalk and attached with glue to the bottom of the flower outside as in the finished flower ([Fig. 4]), so that the perfect convolvulus is composed of three pieces, the petal forming the body of the flower, the stamina inside, and the calyx at the bottom of the flower outside.
THE CONVOLVULUS ANOTHER WAY.
Another way to make the Convolvulus is to cut a round piece of leather the size of the flower required, and while wet, moulding it over the mould for that purpose and bending it into shape; the Canterbury bell can be formed of one piece of leather in the same manner, cutting the top into proper shape with a pair of scissors.