Choosing a pattern for your first stained glass project
If you’re fortunate enough to be taking a class to learn leaded stained glass then you’ll probably be provided with your first pattern. If you’re self-teaching then start with something relatively small and easy. It is a good idea, however to do something that has circles and curves and isn’t just squares and rectangles. My instructor talked about how in his first class his project was nothing but straight lines and so for his first year or more of window making he never did anything else because he hadn’t learned how to cut circles and curves. Don’t fall into that rut or you’ll severely limit the types of projects that you can do.
My pattern is very similar to this one only mine is a rectangle:
The rectangular frame gives you the opportunity to learn both straight cuts as well as curved ones.
There are a ton of free resources out there for free patters. Just google for free stained glass patters and a ton of them will come up.
Here are a few to get you started:
Acadian Glass Art - they have some great victorian window pane patterns
Stainedglasspatterns.com
Warner-Crivellaro
Paned Expressions Studio
Chantal’s Stained Glass Patterns
Art:erty - a big collection of patterns for all skill levels
Here is a really cool site that teaches you how to make your own patterns:
Whatever you choose, start with something small. Starting with something too big or too complex will only lead to frustration. I’m hoping to graduate to something more ambitious as time goes by. I’d love to do the eyelash window in my parent’s kitchen as this year’s big Christmas gift. Wish me luck!
May 13th, 2009 at 2:23 am
good links to some good patterns