This kit is for personal use ONLY. Please do not copy, distribute, or sell any part of this design or the instructions without my permission. Pre-Cut Lafayette Square House @2021 Jacqueline Smith
Please read all instructions prior to beginning the project. If you are new to making houses, make sure you read and understand each step before placing your glue.
I consider this an advanced pattern.
Before you start your new kit, think about how you will want to decorate it. You can paint the house, paint the house and glitter it, glitter just parts of the house like the roof, use the kit pieces as a guide to cut out decorative paper that you can glue onto the house, or just leave the building white for a modern look. If you leave any portion of the house as unpainted cardboard, I suggest spraying with a matte acrylic sealer like Krylon or Modge Podge Sealer.
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Suggested Material List . . .
- Pre-cut kit has been cut from White Kraft Board. This is equivalent to 120 lb cardstock or cardboard. Several pieces are cut out of 100 lb cover cardstock as the 120 lb was too thick to make sharp folds. I also use 65 lb cardstock for the white sashes around the windows.
- Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue. I put it in a bottle with a thin metal tip. If you are new to making kits, you may want to use Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue as this allows more time for you to reposition your pieces if you make a mistake.
- Bone Folder – A bone folder helps you make sharp folds when you are using cardstock or cardboard. While the kit comes pre-scored, you might want to make the scoring deeper with a bone folder.
- Multi-surface satin finish acrylic paints in your color choices. I find that if I use the multi-surface paint I do not need to gesso the cardboard first. Two coats are usually required.
- To glitter the house: Extra fine glitter or extra fine iridescent glitter and Spectra Glitter Sparkling Crystals (mixed 50/50) and Modge Podge. I like to apply the Modge Podge with a foam brush to one side of the building at a time, glitter, then move on to the next side. You may like your building glittered with only the extra fine glitter, but I liked adding a slightly chunkier glitter to it too.
- To make the snow: Woodland Flex Paste, Woodland Soft Flake Snow, and Hemway White Ultra Sparkle Glitter. Apply the flex paste and sprinkle a combination of the soft flake snow and Ultra sparkle glitter over it while it is wet. Use a little Modge Podge on a brush to add more of the snow mixture once the flex paste is dry.
NOTES . . . (read before starting)
- Due to variations by each builder you may find a trim piece a tad longer than needed. If this happens, simply trim it down to fit.
- DO use the cutting guide below to identify all of the pieces! It’s always a good idea to lay out all of the pieces before you start so that you have everything in the correct place. I include a few extra window frames in the kit.
Cutting Guide …
Your kit will include either the Regular Back, Regular Bottom Insert, and back windows & trim OR the Putz Back, Putz Bottom Insert, and a strengthening ring for the Putz hole, depending on which option you chose when you purchased the kit.
Let’s get started . . .
The following instructions are to show you how the building should be constructed. I show the order of construction without any paint or glitter. Think about how you will finish the building and if any parts will need to be painted or finished before being glued in place.
There is no wrong way to paint, glitter and glue. Personally, I like to paint the trim and walls when flat, then glue the trim onto the building, add the vellum, and then glue the building together. I then glitter the completed building. However, I know people who glitter the building while flat before gluing it together. I suggest you try different methods until you find out what works best for you. Tutorials for various ways to decorate your house can be found at www.acottageintherforest.com
Constructing the Building
1. Start with the body of the house. If using accent paper, glue it onto the basement. If you are painting your building, paint below the score line.
2. Fold all of your pieces towards the back or inside (mountain folds.) Glue all window frames, doors, and trim in place.
3. Glue the window sashes onto the back of the pieces.
4. Glue the vellum in place if you are using it.
5. Glue the sides together.
6. Starting at the bottom of each roof piece, glue on the shingles. There are score lines on each of the roofs to help with the placement. Once again, this is easiest while the roofs are flat. Start with the widest roof, and keep the excess smaller pieces to shingle the smaller roofs.
7. Fold the roof railing directly under the posts.
8. Glue the roof together, trapping the folded part of the roof railing between the roof tab and roof top. Add the flashing. I found it helpful to curl the flashing with my fingers before gluing to the roof.
9. Add the window frame, window sashes and vellum to the attic dormer windows.
10. Fold and glue the dormer pieces together. Fold the dormer peak pieces together, and glue on the attic window dormer roofs, flush to the back of the peaks.
11. Glue the attic window dormers onto the roof, then glue on the attic dormer window roofs. Glue the roof onto the building.
12. Place the Bottom Insert inside the building. The corners and the folds may need to be adjusted slightly. Glue in place.
13. Fold the stair treads.
14. Starting with the top stair, glue the stair treads into the stair tread sides. I like to glue each stair onto both sides, then move down to the next stair. Then glue in the back and bottom.
15. Repeat with the two stair sides, then glue the stair treads between the sides. Glue beneath the door.
16. Use the included cardstock to make a base.
This piece can be finished with any method you are used to. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Just have fun and enjoy the process!
Enjoy making your Lafayette Square!! I would love to see your finished buildings. Please share a photo with me by emailing me at Jackie@acottageintheforest.com.
Examples for Inspiration
