A Jack in the box (Fig. 289) is a simpler toy to make than you might imagine.
The box should measure about 5¾ inches by 5¾ inches by 5 inches.
Hinge the cover to the top with two pieces of heavy cloth; glue one piece to the inside of the cover and box, and the other to the outside.
Drive a small tack into the front edge of the cover, and below it fasten a small hook on to the box; the hook may be bent from a short piece of wire.
A spiral spring from an old bed-spring will do for Jack’s body, but if you cannot get one of these it is a simple matter to make a spring.
Take a piece of No. 12 gauge wire about 10 feet in length and wind it around a rolling-pin or anything that is cylindrical and about 2½ inches in diameter. Fasten this spring with double-pointed tacks upon a piece of wood cut to fit the inside of the box (Fig. 290), then procure a small doll’s head, baste a circular piece of cardboard to the top of the spring and to this sew the head.
Make a cloth fool’s cap to glue on Jack’s head, covering his hair entirely, and also a loose jacket to fit over his spiral body; for these use any bright-colored cotton cloth that will fall into folds easily. Tack the base of the spring to the bottom of the box.
HOME-MADE TOYS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS BOOKS BY A. NEELY HALL LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON Published, August, 1915
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