How to Make a Wooden Matchstick Model

Basic Matchstick Fort

Making a matchstick model is just another form of building a puzzle, it's just in 3D and you create the pieces.

An absorbing, time consuming hobby with a rewarding result. It uses very little materials, matchsticks and cardboard are the basic requirements for this realistic fort to be made.

You Will Need:

• About 300 Wood Matchsticks
• Piece of Stiff Cardboard - 9" x 9"
• Piece of Thin Cardboard -  4" x 3½"
• Strips of Thin Cardboard ½" wide
• Wax Paper
• All-Purpose Glue (Elmer's is my favorite)
• Coarse Sandpaper - 9" x 9"
• Thin Paper for Door Hinges
• Small Tube Brown Oil Paint
• Turpentine
• Green Embossing Powder
• Brush
• Toy Soldiers (optional)
• Preparing the Base:

Stick the piece of sandpaper, rough side up, onto the stiff cardboard.  Rule a line ½" in, from edge all around, to mark line of outer palisade.

Spread out the wax paper and stick together three rows of upright matchsticks, matched in height, for three walls. Using the wax paper makes it so that the rows of matchsticks can be easily removed when the glue is dry.

About 1/3 way down each wall, stick a row of matches horizontally, and another row along the bottom to give the walls strength.

For the fourth wall, leave a gap the height of a match for the gateway, sticking three matches across the top as a lintel.

Stick walls on base, butting corners.

Make a matchstick door to fit hole in fourth wall and stick in place with strips of paper 3/4" x 1/16", so that the door will swing open and closed.

Making the Walk-around and the Roof

Cut 1/2" strips of thin cardboard to fit walls and form walk-around.

Stick along walls, resting on horizontal match reinforcement.

Stick rows of matches, ‘staggered’ as shown in the diagram, on the cardboard strip.

How to Place Matches on Walk-Around

Fold 4" x 3½" piece of cardboard along center of 3½" edge to form roof shape and stick rows of matches side by side.  Stick roof along edge of walk-around in one corner and support the free edge on one match as a pillar.

Finishing Model

Dilute oil paint with turpentine to a very thin mix and paint all the matchsticks with it, this gives an antique look to the wood.

Paint the cardboard base of walk-around.

Paint around outside of palisade and patches inside with glue and brush green embossing powder on the glue.

Allow to set, then shake off surplus.

Man the fort with soldiers, cowboys, Indians, or any other small figures you wish!

Most of all, have fun making it and enjoy your finished product.

Thanks for stopping by & until next time,

Happy Crafting