Lining up stained glass pattern

by Mike Carter
(London, Ohio U.S.A)

Q: If I use foil scissors to cut out the stained glass pattern, the project usually doesn't fit together when I wrap it with copper foil.

Find a bunch of stained glass patterns free to use for your projects.

The scissors cut a strip out of the pattern larger than two layers of foil will fill. I have used different sizes of pins to hold the pattern together, but the glass never quite fits.

It seems the further I go putting the glass together, the more off the pattern the pieces get.

If I lay the pieces on the pattern after they are ground, they fit fine, it's when I try to push all the pieces together after they are wrapped to solder is when the problem begins.

This may not be as clear as you need it to be, but maybe you can see where I'm going wrong.

Please help if you see what I'm talking about.

A: It sounds you are having a little trouble once you get the foil portion of stained glass.

By what you are saying it still sounds like you are cutting the individual pieces a little too large.

When you are cutting the pieces- are you cutting on the inside of the "line"? Copper foil doesn't take much space but it can make all the difference if the pieces are too large.

You might want to un-foil and grind the pieces down a bit further. Then try an area again to see if it will help.

If I have your question incorrect. Let me know.
You also might want to check out the how to grind and foil video course to get great tips on cutting and also foiling.

I would like to see your design when you get it finished. Check out the stained glass making section to share your work!

Finally I do have a grinding and foiling video that may be helpful- it is available on our home page, small square.

Let us know how it goes. It will be worth it - may be time consuming but the results will be well worth its results.

Be sure to leave your own tips in the comments section!