MODELLING THE DAISY 345 



taken as a guide, from a strip of fabric of a width correspond- 

 ing to the length of the florets. To give to the florets the 

 peculiar whiteness which distinguishes the natural flower, 

 arrowroot and flake white are mixed together in equal pro- 

 portions, and rubbed into both surfaces of the upper portions 

 with the thumb and finger, the bases being carefully avoided, 

 or they will not adhere when arranged in position. Each is 

 then tooled, first on one side and then on the other, with the 

 head of a blanket-pin, and the narrow base is quilled by rolling 

 around the point of a pin or needle. 



To put together, press the quilled bases upon the base 

 of the centre, and arrange them irregularly, one here and there, 

 putting now and then one floret under another, and fill in after- 

 wards, which gives an easy and natural appearance. 



The involucre, consisting of a number of equal bracts, is 

 made of fabric lined with wax. First cut a disc, and from this, 

 with the small scissors, cut the complete involucre to shape. If 

 the pupil is not sufficiently skilled to do this by eye, the natural 

 involucre may be laid upon the disc and dabbed down with 

 moist colour to mark it. Mould on both sides with a blanket- 

 pin, pierce in the centre, slip upon the wire, and fix in position, 

 pressing it well between the bases of the florets with the pin, 

 as this will greatly assist the modelling. 



The stem is so simple as to need no special directions. 



To make a bud, take a strip of white fabric of a size to suit 

 the natural bud, but say an inch and a half by half an inch. 

 Cut the strip into petals or florets, without detaching them, and 

 tool each of these with the blanket-pin. For the foundation, pre- 

 pare a wire as usual, and around the end wind evenly a strip of 

 white wax, folded to about four thicknesses. Next wind the 

 strip of florets twice around, snip away the angular edge at the 

 base, and, having cut and modelled it to the natural size and form, 

 make the involucre as for the flower and arrange as in nature. 



