I was in the grocery store this week and noticed that turkeys are on sale for Thanksgiving. It reminded me that the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal is right around the corner. I also thought it would be the perfect opportunity to practice calligraphy in the form of a menu and place cards to add to the table settings. So today, I’ll share with you a tutorial on how to make your own menu and place cards to add beauty and elegance to your celebration.
First, you’ll want to complete two lists: the first is a list of guests that will be sharing in your meal and the second is a list of items that will be served.
With the lists ready, let’s begin with the place cards. Place cards can be purchased pre-cut and ready to write on, but you can also use card stock and cut it to size. The typical size of place cards are 2.5 inches x 3.75 inches folded or 5 inches x 3.75 inches unfolded.
When writing on place cards, you’ll want them to be opened and flat on your work table. Using calligraphy ink and nib, write each guest’s name on each card. To add elegance, gold or fall colored inks can be used, and adding a leaf or two dresses up each name.
Another option that I enjoy using is watercolor. Simply mix water with your selected colors to a milky consistency, then paint the color onto the back of your calligraphy nib. Feel free to transition colors with each application for a blended watercolor effect in your lettering.
Be sure to allow them to dry completely before folding your place cards.
Now it’s onto the menu. You’ll want to determine your menu size. I prefer 8.5 inches x 5.5 inches (half of a standard piece of paper), but feel free to use whatever size fits your style. Cut to size your menu paper (card stock, art paper, etc.). Then, with pencil trace a light border around the edge to be sure you have enough white space. Depending on the number of items on your menu, divide the paper into evenly spaced lines. A rolling ruler is a helpful tool and saves time with measurements. Remember to include guidelines for the waist, ascender and descender lines. If you are centering each line of your menu, you’ll want to add a centerline guide as well. If you want a slanted menu, draw your guidelines at an angle.
With pencil begin drafting each line. When centering, it helps to count all of the letters and spaces of that line and divide by two. This isn’t exact, but it give you a rough idea as to which letters to put on the left side of your center guideline and which letters to put to the right.
Once you are happy with your pencil draft, go over the pencil lines in calligraphy ink. It’s nice to compliment your menu with the same ink or watercolor that you use on the place cards.
I hope this tutorial has inspired you with ideas on how to create a beautiful Thanksgiving Day table of your own. I’d love to see what you come up with!
Comments