anyone know an easy craft to make a scroll?
I want my son to make a scroll for a unit we are doing on the Middle Ages. I have an idea of taking two dowel rods and some tea stained paper, but how do I attach the rods to the paper? I’ve looked on the Internet but all I can find are links for “how to make your text scroll,” or something to do with HTML, and that’s obviously not what I want. What are some ideas of how I can attach the dowel rods to the paper, to make a scroll?
Suggested Reading:
Make Your Own Working Paper ClockCut this book into 160 pieces, glue them together, and have a paper clock operated by weights that keeps perfect time and can be rewound and regulated.
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You could simply wrap the end of the paper around the dowels and glue it in place.
A fancier way would to to cut a slot the length of each dowel and glue the end of the scroll in the slot.
JMB
It sounds like a very interesting school (?) project.
1) Make sure the paper is a long, rectangular piece.
example: [________]
2) Stain the paper. Let it dry for 4 hours. If it already is stained, or yellowed by sunlight, then skip this step.
3) Write anything on it that you feel would be appropriate for the period of history you are learning about. If using paint, let it dry for an hour.
4) Use glue (Elmer’s) to attach one of the ends of the paper to one of the wooden dowels.
example: || + [________] = ||________]
5) Now do the other end.
example: ||________] + || = ||________||
6) Voila! Now, pick one end and use it to roll up the scroll.
example: ||________|| –> ||_____|| –> ||__|| –> ||_|| –> ||||
It may help to have a scroll tube to keep this in. To protect it from wear and tear. Hope this helps!!
I agree with the previous explanations, and have one thing to add: If the paper is a little stiff once it dries after tea-dyeing, gently pull it over the edge of a table or similar surface. You know how curling ribbon works when curled with scissors? Paper will do the same thing. Gently run the paper over the edge of the table to help it curl. Happy scroll-making!
Patrick gave very good directions and illustrations and is your best answer. Just an added note and a few hints.
The scroll is always rolled with half the paper on each side so be sure to keep the message for your son to read in the middle of the paper. That way he doesn’t have to open the entire scroll and reveal the glue.
To fancy up the scroll, try adding some wooden knobs or finials on the ends of the dowels. There are lots of selections at any home improvement store. These would also keep the paper from sliding off the dowel so you could glue the top and bottom of the paper into small rod pockets so you can also reuse the scroll rods.
I am not sure of your time period but if you are reading top to bottom you could also add tassels to the top so your son would know which way to open the scroll. Plus it gives it that “movie” flash that everyone loves:)
Have fun
Linda B:)