Manufacture of stained glass patterns

Stained glass is one of the many dying arts. However, it is coming back. Designs can be traditional, modern, abstract, or realistic. Learn how to create your own stained glass designs. Dos and don’ts, and what should be considered when designing a pattern. Copper or lead foil panels can be placed directly on a wooden frame or enclosed within a double-glazed unit, in effect the triple glazing of a window. Free hanging pieces can also be made, such as sun catchers, mirrors, wall ornaments, clocks, chandeliers and many more.

Before starting a pattern, it is a good idea to know some of the specific restrictions for working with glass, whether in the lead or copper foil methods. When your pattern is complete and ready to be made, feel free to contact me through my website, details of which can be found at the end of the article.

1. Try to avoid a crossroads (X) or lines that go straight back and forth in your pattern, especially for copper foil, as this would be a weak point in the finished piece. (This is not that important for lead work, and many traditional patterns include these shapes, but best avoided if possible.)
2. Try to avoid the inner right angels (or more acute as in the letter V). as the glass will most likely crack extending from the right angle point. Therefore, there must be a line running from any point (similar to the letter Y).
3. Try not to make a pattern with too much detail. This is especially important for lead work as if the glass pieces are too small they will not show due to the lead. I think the correct glass will add the detail for me.
4. The more detail there is, the larger the piece should be. This will not necessarily make the piece more difficult to make, unless it is very large, so handling large glass sheets can just make it uncomfortable.
5. Some of the pattern will be lost because it is covered by the lead or copper foil (more will be lost when using lead than when using copper foil). the amount lost will depend on the thickness used. For an A4 size piece, 8 or 10mm lead is sufficient, but thicker lead may be necessary for larger pieces or to round the edge. Instead of detracting from the pattern, it can be a feature in a well-planned pattern.

Things you will need to make patterns include: Paper (liner paper is helpful as if it gets wet when the piece is made it will not disintegrate), acetate / tracing paper, pencil, marker pen, ruler, eraser, ruler and or measuring tape according to size. A true stained glass designer can create pieces using a variety of methods. These include:

• Create a pattern to match existing panels or windows.
• Creating a pattern from photos.
• Adaptation of existing patterns.
• Working from an idea.

Before When starting the pattern for a fitted piece, the size must be determined, the best way to do this is to use 2 methods.

1. Measure the opening to fit snugly (behind the ledge where the glass will fit) across various points, height and width.
2. Lay paper over the area and draw around the tight fit area.

Using both methods ensures that the pattern will be the correct size and shape (the opening may not be truly rectangular or square). Next, it’s a good idea to draw a 5mm line from 2 sides (this allows for easy placement and a bit of room for error when making the part). straighten the remaining 2 sides.

Create a pattern to match existing panels or windows

Is the place where the new window is going to be the same size as the existing ones? If so, the easiest way to create a pattern would be with tracing paper or by rubbing (like when you were a kid tracing leaves)

• Take photos of existing panels so you know what you are working on.
• Draw a scaled grid on both the photo and on the paper the pattern will be drawn on (this could just be 2 lines to divide into quarters, or a grid with more lines depending on the detail) this will help keep the pattern in scale and pattern details instead.
• Please note that the new piece may not be the same shape and the pattern details may need to be stretched or squashed
• Begin to draw the details of the pattern, using the gridded photo for reference.

Create a pattern from photos

It may be necessary to use an artistic license for colors, shapes and backgrounds.

• Print the photo as close to the desired size as possible. If the photo cannot be printed to the exact size. Draw a scaled grid on both the photo and on the paper the pattern will be drawn on (this could just be 2 lines to divide into quarters, or a grid with more lines depending on the detail) this will help keep the pattern in scale and pattern details instead.
• look at the photo with a critical eye. What detail can be lost (if textured or patterned glass can add it, i.e. like an animal’s fur)?
• Trace the lines to be saved with a marker pen.
• If the highlighted sections meet the restrictions of working with glass, if not, add any additional lines as necessary or modify the shapes slightly.
• When you are satisfied with the pattern, trace over the altered image and the pattern is finished.

Adapting existing patterns

Pattern books can be very useful, but there may be certain aspects of a pattern that you don’t like or just want to modify. This can be especially true for free-hanging pieces, as the shape can be altered by omitting sections of the edges, or interest can be added by omitting parts of the middle (try not to weaken the piece, make sure each bit has at least 2 points of contact). Alternatively, additional pieces can be added for more detail or interest.

• Photocopy or trace the pattern.
• Place tracing paper over the pattern and draw on the desired aspects, and change the details as required.

Work from an idea (this takes the greatest amount of drawing skill)

It can be a very detailed and specific idea (I like the view from my garden which includes a view of Criffel, with the trees and fields) or vague (that is, I like the hills and the sunsets). In the first instance it would be advisable to take a photo to work. While in the second case it may be necessary to ask a bit more questions (do you live near a specific hill that might have inspired you? If so, it might be advisable to include the shape of the hill, if not just a general shape of the hill be fine to use.

• If the part is a fitted part, follow the guidelines mentioned above. To hang for free, decide the size.
• Roughly sketch the design, until you are satisfied with its appearance.
• Look at the design with a critical eye to see if the design fits the constraints. Asking a second person to see the design (telling them what is needed) can be a good idea, as some aspects can often be overlooked.
• Alter anything that needs to be altered.