I used the Putz house on the front page of cardboardputzhouses.com as my inspiration for a new Putz pattern. The one I made isn’t as elaborate as the one pictured. I may go back and add the porch and the first story roof to the pattern at some point. It certainly adds a lot of detail to the house.
After I drew the pattern, I made a copy and cut out all the pieces. To do that, I attach the pattern to the poster board with some tape runner.
I put a few pieces of tape runner on the back of the pattern. Holding it to the light helps me see where the windows and door are, and that is where I put most of the tape. A few bits on the rest of the pattern will hold it in place after the windows are cut out.
Just a few very small pieces.
Cut the windows and the doors before cutting the edges. It gives more support while cutting the windows.
I use a hole punch for the little hole above the front door.
The next step is to score all the fold lines. I use the back of the X-acto knife for scoring.
After it is scored and the edges are trimmed, the pattern paper will peel off.
Score lines…
Folded house…
Gluing the base to the walls.
After I glue the flaps, I rub them with a wooden stick (chop stick) to be sure they make good contact.
Put glue on both sides, let it sit for 20 or 30 seconds, then press them together.
Cutting window frames.
The front door is a frame and door in one.
I use the pattern to cut the frame for the hole in the back of the house. Leaving extra poster board around the frame makes it easier to cut.
The outside of the frame can be cut with scissors.
A little box or container is a good way to keep all those little pieces together until needed.
Before anything else, I check the roof to be sure it fits the house.
[Insert painting the house here.] I must have forgotten to take pictures of that step. For more information on painting Putz houses, check out my tutorial. Building a Putz House
Attaching the window and door frames makes a big difference in the looks of the house.
The roofs are painted and ready to attach.
That’s enough info for one post. I will save the base, fence and embellishments for the next one.
~~Rhonda