…Giovonotto says, “The paper, cut into the required width, may be obtained from any stationer’s who has a paper-cutting machine. It may be used coarse or fine, but the fine looks best. I have seen bonnets made of paper cut only three strips to the inch, but the best width is about one-sixth of an inch. The paper-makers of the present day produce papers of every colour and almost every degree of brightness, so that ladies may procure what colour suits them best. I have seen all colours tried, and like none so well as the white; next to white, primrose.

“The paper should not be very stout, as it is apt to crack in the folds, and has several other objectionable qualities. The higher the glaze, and the brighter the paper is, the better it will show when plaited and worn.”

Having procured the paper cut to the width decided upon, let us proceed to examine the course to follow.

First of all, study the two diagrams here given, one showing the upper and the other the under part of the work. Of course, all the cones should be of an exact equality, both as to space between and height…

Extract from The Popular Recreator, Topic: Ornamental Paper Work, section ii, page 303.