Home | Hobbies & Crafts | Art | How to Make a Stained Glass Suncatcher

Laying Out Your Stained Glass Pattern

Currently 0.0/5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

To properly view this site, javascript must be enabled and Flash version 9 or higher must be installed.
Get the latest Flash player

View All Videos In This Series

Hi, I am Phillip McKee of McKee Stained Glass. Right now we are going to learn how to properly setup our layout pattern. It is not enough to just have a layout pattern, you also need to have it ready for use. To use it well, we use Morton Layout Blocks, these L shaped pieces of metal are applied around the edges of our layout pattern to act as guides and ensure that we are staying within the boundaries and also maintaining straight lines. To begin, we first put a layout block on the edge of our pattern. In this case, since we trimmed the excess paper off of our cutting pattern around the outside edge of the pattern, we apply the layout block to the outside edge of the pattern. We hold it in place with at least two pushpins.

Next, we take our L-Square and use it to assist us in placing another layout block on an adjoining side. Once again, at the very edge of the pattern piece, to create a perfect 90 degree angle. Finally, we secure the last corner of the paper. This now allows us to take our pattern piece after it has been cut from the glass and ground down the smoothness and check it against our pattern. When we are certain that it is the right shape and size and fits well, we remove the paper and simply use a little extra water to help clean off the glue. Always make sure to clean off all of the glue as quickly as possible and do not allow pattern pieces to have their paper remain on them for any extended period of time.

This will allow your glue to set and will make it more difficult to clean later. Once you have one pattern piece cut, properly shaped and in position, you can then take your cutting pattern and move on to the next. Next, we are going to learn, how to take the pattern pieces and foil them. So, that we can begin preparation for Soldering.

Expert: Phillip McKee

Artist

http://www.mckeestainedglass.com

P: 703-267-2510

Email: phillip@mckeestainedglass.com

As an artist, I work in the medium of stained glass. I have always had an interest in stained glass. From early childhood I was enchanted by the Middle Ages and especially the medieval church. Seeing the beauty of the windows was always a joy to me. It was with great joy that I studied Medieval History first at Yale University and later at Harvard. I even held a research fellowship at Princeton in 1993. Even though More »