There are several methods that you may use to make your own stained glass patterns. Some of these methods include the traditional method whereby you would create your own designs and then tracing these designs to make templates.
Another common method is the use of transparent glass whereby you place your design in a light box and then trace the patterns onto the glass. There are, however, two main methods of creating your own patterns using stained glass paper. You may not have been aware of this but they are actually very simple.
Create personalized patterns using stained glass paper
First of all, be sure to make several copies of your stained glass paper patterns. One of the copies of the stained glass paper patterns is going to be used in the cutting of single pattern pieces. Always be careful to mark your pieces in a way that you will not get confused in case they get re arranged. A good suggestion would be to number them or put directional grain lines on the stained glass paper pieces. Don’t forget to indicate the colors that you are going to use for each piece.
You should be extra careful during the cutting of your stained glass paper pieces, making sure that you leave enough margin where the thickness copper foil will be used. An alternative of ensuring this margin is left would be to use pattern cutting scissors. After cutting the pieces, place them carefully over the glass and then trace around them using a marker pen. Then, after all the patterns have been traced out, turn the glass over and cut along the marker lines.
Another way of using stained glass paper
The second alternative of using the stained glass paper pattern is equally simple. First of all, make sure you have enough white papers on which you can trace the patterns that you require. Then, after marking and darkening the cutting lines, be sure to cut the patterns out as outlined in the first alternative above whereby you leave enough margins around the marked lines. Make sure that you make the pieces appropriately and directionally so that you don’t mix them up and spend more time trying to find the right pieces. You are here to create a work of art, not to solve a jigsaw puzzle.
You should note that the main difference between this stained glass paper pattern alternative and the previous stained glass paper alternative is the fact that you will have to use a light box or darken the lines in order to cut the required pieces. The cut pieces are then placed onto the glass surface and a permanent marker is used to race out the patterns. When cutting the patterns out, you should always check if you are using textured glass. This is because cutting textured glass can result in cracks. Therefore always turn the glass over so that you cut along the smoother surface of the glass. After cutting the required glass shapes, the next step is of course, the soldering of the pieces together. |
