Issue 53 April 2026

Credit: Studio Hayyan.com MessinŶ abouƦ — makinŶ Ś 12tź NJcalŬ džoƵ boaƦ thaƦ MolŬ anŪ Rattƻ woulŪ lovŬ. Jilƈ FraseƝ It took a few prototypes before a design for a rowboat was created that any miniaturist could make on their kitchen table. First there was an all wood job, which did require some wood working tools. No good. So, the ‘Cardboard Queen’ got out her pencil and worked up a design that would create a rowboat. If you want to make the planking look realistic then you really need a wooden former to bend your planks around. However, if you are happy to settle for slightly less, you can just cut the base of the boat in three layers of card, glued together and bend your cardboard planking round the base working your way upwards as per the instructions on the next pages. So don’t let that little bit put you oƯ. As you have guessed, this is not a serious hobbyists project where everything has to be made from wood and is an exact replica of, say, Uncle Bryan’s row boat. This is a miniaturist’s row boat. One of ours, that will sit nicely anywhere as it has a flat bottom. Having said that, the shapes can be cut out of wood, wooden house siding strips make good flexible planking, and balsa wood is a good standby always. Have fun! You will need: A photocopier to reproduce the patterns without ruining the publication. Scissors. Quick set tacky glue. Some paper clips. A pencil. Card required: Try to use 3mm or glue two layers together for the base. Craft board was used for the framework of the boat. Bottom, sides and transom (back) and bow insert = 1mm heavy card in white if you prefer the inside to be white. Firm paper or masking tape to give a sharp finish to the bow. For the planks that are glued on last, use a light card in the colour you want to exterior of your boat to be. For the hardware bend florist wire into loops to insert into the frame for attaching ropes to. Or use eyelets. Two ice cream sticks were used for the oars. 4 Miniature Time Traveller