The tile must now be reinforced for the reason that the outer edge, which dries and shrinks first, would naturally crack when the inside finally dried and shrank, and so spoil the tile. When reinforced, the edges, being double thickness, dry more slowly, making the whole tile shrink evenly. Six pieces of clay are rolled into as many rope-like strips. Five of these strips are patted flat with the hand until they are about an inch and a half wide and not quite half an inch thick. They are then laid along the outer edges of the tile, which have first been lightly brushed with slip, and across the middle (see [Fig. 36]), pressing them firmly onto the tile and joining the edges carefully. The sixth strip is cut into two short pieces, which are laid in at the centre, between the three strips crossing the tile (see [Fig. 36]), and firmly attached by moulding them against the other strips and working the edges on to the tile upon which a touch of slip has been brushed. A damp piece of cheese-cloth is laid on the tile and it is again rolled with the rolling-pin. Next it is made smooth with the sheet-steel tool, and the four depressions are moulded evenly, as shown in Fig. 37. It is then set away over night, to get in proper condition to cut and finish.
The following day put a board on the bottom of the tile and reverse the frame so that the tile will slide off on to the board. Then with a T square or a piece of sheet metal eight by eight inches (the size of the tile) laid upon it, cut around the edges with a sharp, strong knife. The tile is then set away to receive its decoration, which should be made the day following.
Care should always be taken to lay the tile only upon an absolutely level board or other flat surface in drying, as otherwise it will warp and dry unevenly.
The face of the tile. For detail of this design, see [Fig. 38].