Needles 'n' Knowledge: Colonial Gent 3D Block Box

Shaped lid fits snugly over base,

which are glued together to form the imitation “wood block”

onto which the layered, highly-detailed colonial figure is attached.

Plenty of details add to the charm of this gent,

styled to be displayed with

companion design “Colonial Lady Block Box”.

Measures approx. 4.5” wide x 7.75” tall x 1.5” deep.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A LID main panel front
LID boxing strips as identified
B BASE main panel back
BASE boxing strips as identified
Base interior support strips: top 3-sided, mid

C body lower silhouette base - hose

D head/hat silhouette base - face

E eye 'whites' liner strip

F hands left & right

G shoes assembly: one-piece uppers/base, soul strip,

buckles, toes

H beard I mouth contrast underlay

J eyes two-layer assembly, nose circle

K hat and hat trim accent

L cockade: left, right ribbons; circle medallion

M pants (NOTE this has been modified in final file)

N vest base and left front overlay with buttons

O jacket left and right

P sleeve overlays left & right with cuff overlays

Q wrist lace accents left & right

R jacket & cuff buttons

2. Prepare the boxing strips by bending on the cross

perforations for wall segments, also bend the edge tabs back.

3. Identify the 'curve' area of shoulder/sleeve shape

on box LID and BASE panels and corresponding

multi-tab sections of boxing strips. Use a rod-like tool

such as this wooden dowel to add curl to that

portion ONLY of those side boxing strips as shown.

4. To understand LID and BASE boxing assembly,

become familiar with the symbols cut into end tabs

or nearby that help identify section connections.

Lid strips have single symbols; base strips have paired.

5. Re-direct the cross bends

to echo the main panel's edge segments

as strips are arranged around LID or BASE

to make it easier to identify where strips will be joined.

NOTE that a cut in 'L' will help identify the LID

panel from the Base panel.

NOTE that the boxing strips each have tiny cut symbols

in end tabs or top tabs to assist with identification

of how the strips will be joined around the panel.

6. Begin with the top center boxing strip which has
a straight dividing flange cut at center.

Position strip at center top edge of panel, bend to

match edges making sure tabs are bent back,

then overlap the LID panel straight edges to

tab perforation line, and glue each tab in place.

7. Continue along the boxing and LID edge to bend,
adjust and attach the successive segments to
their corresponding edges, taking care that panel edge
is aligned as precisely along the boxing tab perforation
line as possible.

8. Continue until all edges and segments on one side
are joined, then . . .

. . . work along the opposite side of 'hat' area to align

and join all segments of the top center strip.

NOTE that it will be helpful to place the assembly

face down on a flat surface to apply fingertip pressure

along the tabs seam from the inside of the assembly.

9. Identify the next boxing strip in the sequence by

matching the tiny square cut outs on end flange or tab

then . . .

. . . overlap the new strip straight end edge to

the flange's perforation line, adjust, and glue seam.

10. Adjust the multi-tab strip edge to match the curved

panel edge, positioning the opposite end for fit,

then easing in and gluing the tabs to panel backside.

11. Repeat Step 9-10 for the opposite side.

12. Identify, align and attach the lower sides/bottom

boxing strip on one end, bend to conform and attach

around side, bottom and up opposite side, until . . .

. . . the final segment or two are ready to position

and attach, then prepare and fit together along with

the final strip-to-strip end seam in one step.

13. Repeat steps 6-12 for the BASE.

14. Prepare the upper three-part interior support 'strut'

by bending back on the vertical perforations,

cut-in tabs and end tabs, bending forward at

bottom flange tabs as shown.

15. Position the strut in triangular formation in the

hat area of BASE, placing the end flanges on each

side of the center top 'hat' angle, and the cut-in tabs

at inward angle as shown.

Glue tabs to walls, and

bottom tabs to BASE panel backside.

16. Prepare lower 'strut' by bending back

on end tabs and forward on bottom tab.

Position and attach at the inward angle

at 'arms' ends, as shown.

17. Prepare to assemble the figure by identifying

and beginning the pre-assembly, positioning and

attaching as follows:

A) layer hat accent trim over hat base and attach;
B) assemble cockade by layering ribbon rounded ends
with medallion circle on top;
C) layer sleeves and cuffs onto jacket side bases;
D) layer single left weskit over whole base;
E) layer toes, soul strip over shoe tongues/base;

F) attach eye whites behind eye socket openings;
G) slot mouth contrast into its opening and tape
in place until beard is placed to attach by gluing;
H) attach hat assembly over corresponding area
of upper base shape;