diff --git a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
index 016137a7..0f3abb81 100644
--- a/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
+++ b/projects/samskivert/src/java/com/samskivert/swing/GroupLayout.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: GroupLayout.java,v 1.5 2002/05/16 02:02:38 mdb Exp $
+// $Id: GroupLayout.java,v 1.6 2002/09/25 07:26:19 mdb Exp $
 //
 // samskivert library - useful routines for java programs
 // Copyright (C) 2001 Michael Bayne
@@ -324,6 +324,16 @@ public abstract class GroupLayout
         return new JPanel(new HGroupLayout());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates a {@link JPanel} that is configured with an {@link
+     * HGroupLayout} with a configuration that stretches in both
+     * directions, with the specified gap.
+     */
+    public static JPanel makeHStretchBox (int gap)
+    {
+        return new JPanel(new HGroupLayout(STRETCH, STRETCH, gap, CENTER));
+    }
+
     /**
      * Creates a {@link JPanel} that is configured with an {@link
      * HGroupLayout} with the specified on-axis policy (default
@@ -397,6 +407,16 @@ public abstract class GroupLayout
                                            DEFAULT_GAP, justification));
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates a {@link JPanel} that is configured with an {@link
+     * VGroupLayout} with a configuration that stretches in both
+     * directions, with the specified gap.
+     */
+    public static JPanel makeVStretchBox (int gap)
+    {
+        return new JPanel(new VGroupLayout(STRETCH, STRETCH, gap, CENTER));
+    }
+
     protected int _policy = NONE;
     protected int _offpolicy = CONSTRAIN;
     protected int _gap = DEFAULT_GAP;