Stained Glass Window Template
It is important to choose your stained glass window template carefully as only then you will find it easy to craft a beautiful stained glass window. Creating a stained glass window from a template is generally a rewarding experience and if you get suitable results then you can also think about making a profit from creating your own templates which you can sell for a profit.
Stained glass – helps you create perfect stained glass windows
A stained glass window template will certainly go a long way in helping you to create the perfect stained glass window. You can either buy a stained glass window template or you can create one on your own. If you are creative and budget conscious then it pays to take a closer look at making your own stained glass window template.
If you would like to make a stained glass window template you have two options available to you. The first is the traditional method while there is an alternative method which is called paper pattern method.
Traditional method
If you want to use the traditional method to create a stained glass window template you will need to be good at tracing pattern pieces from the original pattern. You will also need some transparent glass which can be placed directly on top of the pattern. Next, take the pattern and trace it onto the glass and make allowances for copper foil as well as lead came thickness.
If you choose to use dark glass you will need to place the pattern on some kind of light box as this will make it easier to view the lines of the pattern. Next, trace the pattern pieces onto the dark glass and allow some room for the copper foil thickness and for the lead came.
You can also use solid or even dense opalescent glass in which case take some carbon paper and place it with its face down on the opalescent glass. Trace the pattern exactly and then cut.
You can also make a stained glass window template with the paper pattern method. In this case you will need to use paper stained glass window templates that need to be traced onto your glass and then it should be marked out and then cut.
Paper stained glass template
To make a paper stained glass window template you will need to start by making a couple of patterns. Take one of these patterns and use it to cut out the pieces and the other pattern can be used for cutting individual pieces of the pattern. Always number your pieces and mark out the grain/directional lines.
The cutting of individual pieces should be done with a pair of cutting scissors as this will leave sufficient place for the copper foil and also for lead came. After cutting the individual pieces you can place each one on top of your glass and you can also cut and trace with the help of thin style permanent marker. If you are making use of textured glass, then flip the pattern over so that you cut on the side of the glass that is smoother. All that remains now is to cut the largest of all the pieces and leave the scraps for the cutting of small sized pieces. Lastly, just assemble the pieces on the desired pattern and you will have your stained glass window template ready for use.