Stained Glass Paper Pattern Template Making
Posted: Friday, December 26, 2008
by Maureen Summy
Creativity-in-glass
There are basically two ways to make stained glass templates. There is the traditional way and the paper pattern method.
Traditional Method
The traditional method for making stained glass templates is done by tracing your pattern pieces directly from your design.
Transparent Glass
When using transparent glass, you place the glass directly over your pattern. Then trace the pattern piece onto the glass. Be sure to allow for copper foil or lead thickness.
When using darker glass, place your design on a light box. This will allow you to see the patterns lines. Then trace the pattern pieces onto the glass. (Again, remember to leave room for the thickness of copper foil or lead).
Solid or Dense Opalescent Glass
To trace the pattern piece directly onto the glass, place a piece of carbon paper face down on the glass. With your design on top, trace the pattern outline of the piece you want to cut. Trace exactly where you will cut, again leaving room for the thickness of the copper foil or lead.
Paper Pattern Method
The paper pattern method for making stained glass templates, uses paper templates that are traced onto the glass, then marked and cut.
There are two ways to make paper pattern templates.
Paper Pattern Method 1
- Make two copies of your pattern
- One copy will be for laying out cut pieces, the other will be used to cut individual pattern pieces.
- Be sure to number pieces and mark directional or grain lines as well as colors you will use.
When cutting out individual pieces, you can use pattern cutting scissors that will automatically leave room for the thickness of copper foil or lead. Once individual pieces are cut out, then place them on top of the glass you want to cut and trace with a thin permanent marker. If you are using textured glass, turn the pattern over so you can cut on the smoother side of the glass.
You may want to cut your largest pieces first, leaving scraps for cutting smaller pieces.
Once pieces are cut, assemble them on your pattern.
Paper Pattern Method 2
- Using white paper, trace individual pattern pieces. You can use a light box or darken lines on the pattern.
- Cut out individual pattern pieces, you can use pattern cutting scissors the will automatically leave room for the thickness of copper foil or lead.
Depending on which foiling method your use, you can then trace and cut out your next individual pattern piece. Be sure to number pieces and mark directional or grain lines you will use.
Once individual pieces are cut out, then place them on top of the glass you want to cut and trace with a thin permanent marker. If you are using textured glass, turn the pattern over so you can cut on the smoother side of the glass.
Now that you have made your stained glass pattern, cut and foiled; you are ready to solder. For more information on creating your own stained glass check out the website.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Informative article for the stain glass novice to old hat.
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