Stained Glass Butterfly Design
by Shara
(Cincinnati, Oh)
Butterfly Stained Glass Pattern
Editor Note: If you right click and save image as you can use this pattern for your own projects.
Here is a stained glass butterfly pattern that may make great stained glass pictures. Randy and Kim asked me to share some of my patterns I've used to make my stained glass art.
Here is one of my favorite and one I'm working on. I am currently following instruction and wanted to share for others to use b/c I think the end project will be amazing!
Tools needed:
- Cutting, grozer pliers
- Flux
- Solder
- Copper foil
- Grinder
- Markers
- Fid
- Zinc came (option)
- Wax
- Chain
- Wire
- Needle-nose pliers
The butterfly- shown in several angles – side views or full view. You can scan and make larger on your computer or enlarge the image on a copier.
Steps to produce the stained glass butterfly:
1. Number your pattern pieces.
2. Choose your glass colors or textures. (For the circular pieces you could use little balls to add dimension to your design).
3. Break and cut each pattern piece. Remember once you have cut your glass piece be sure to number it the same number as on the pattern.
4. Once your piece or pieces are cut- grind each piece to fit properly in the design.
5. Now that all your pattern pieces are cut and grind smoothly, clean and dry. Apply the copper foil to the edges- again, be sure to overlap a little bit where you began. Use a fid to smooth and adhere the foil to the edges and the front and back sides of the edges.
The design is now really taking shape and you should be proud of your accomplishments. Let's continue on...
6. Once all the pattern pieces have the foil, you are ready for the flux. Brush the flux lightly along the copper foil. Do the corners first, a small amount at a time to tack the glass pieces together with the solder.
7. Now that you have tacked and soldered the corners you can flux and solder the seams all over the entire design. Remember to do a small section at a time.
8. Turn you design over and flux and solder the back side of the butterfly.
9. There are 2 ways to finish:
You can apply a thin coat of solder around the outer edges- add a piece of wire by soldering for hanging stained glass.
You can cut and miter zinc came to fit around the butterfly as a border or frame. You can hold the glass and the zinc frame in place with nails to make sure of a proper fit. After you have the proper fit- remove the frame and add a hanger to the top of the zinc came.
Clean each seam of the came and then solder at the corners attaching the zinc came to the butterfly design.
10. Clean the design completely- you can then add a black patina to all the solder. Also apply the black patina to the zinc came. Let dry.
11. Use wax to polish the entire design.
12. With the use of wire- you will now apply the butterfly antennae. Bend the wire into your desired shape. You can make a small loop with the use of needle-nose pliers. Attach with flux and solder (small drop of each) to a solder seam.
13. Clean and then apply the black patina – be sure to remove any residue if needed.
14. To hang, attach a chain the length you want, to the hanger or hangers that you had applied earlier to the zinc came.
That is a quick rendition but should help you along in making this great butterfly stained glass pattern!
