How to Cut Patterns in Stained Glass

Step1

Lay each numbered pattern piece on the colored glass and trace around it with permanent marker. When you remove the pattern the outline of your design will remain on the class.

Step2

When cutting your pattern, do not run the glass cutter back and fort across the score line. Cut the pattern from inside the line in one clean forward sweep. Press the cutter down onto the glass and roll the glass cutter forward. Do not lift the cutter.

Step3

Using the glass cutter, apply pressure and cut within, rather than on the outside of the scoreline.

Step4

Hold one side of the glass with breaking pliers and the other side with your hand. Apply enough pressure at the score line to break the glass. For scores that are hard to break, use running pliers. Repeat this step for each pattern piece until all pieces of glass our cut.

Step5

The colored pieces can then be used to complete your stained glass project.


The first evidence of stain glass was found in Germany during an excavation expedition around 1000AD. It is the favorite décor of a number of churches and cathedrals producing an atmosphere of holiness and reverence in churches around the world. It is a beautifully intricate glass art that has survived centuries. Presently, a number of men and women have become skilled in the craft.Using heavy crafting paper, design your pattern pieces, number, and cut them out. During the design, determine the color(s) of each piece. Stained glass can be monochromatic or varicolored depending on your taste. After the pieces have been numbered, place individually on the glass, trace, and cut out. The time required to cut your pattern is determined by the amount of pieces in your blueprint. Of course, the more pieces that are in your pattern, the longer it will take to cut. Making stained glass can be either a vocation or an avocation.

How to Create a "Stained Glass" Craft

Step1

Choose a jar or other glass product. Make sure to remove any contents (save them, no need for waste) and throughly cleanse the jar (removing label).

Step2

Once your jar is clean, cut up the tissue paper into shapes or strips. Working in sections, carefully glue paper on.

Step3

After the paper is on and the glue is dry, paint on a light layer of glue over your papered jar. Let it dry and add one or two more layers of glue (drying in between each one).

Step4

Take your puff paint and carefully outline each tissue paper section. Don't worry about perfection, just be as neat as you can.

Step5

You can now add ribbons or trim to finish your stained glass. Enjoy the beautiful sun!

How to Blow Glass

Step1

So you want to blow glass... good luck, your going to need it. Before you can satisfy that itch you got to find a place to blow and set up shop. Garages, basements, and sheds are the best unless you have 100k to open a shop.

Step2

You'll first need to make a workstation. Make a workbench that's inclosed on four sides; sides of the table, behind the table, and a cover a few feet above the table, this is the hood, leaving one side open for you to work at. Place a sheet of aluminum on the top of the table. This is so when you piece explodes or you drop hot glass it won't start a fire. Put a hole in the back of the hood for your exhaust fan. You can have the fan on top of the hood if you want but its going to pull your flame up.

Step3

Next you want to mount your torch to your table. I screw mine down, there's a lot of force coming out of that thing and you don't want 24 hundred degrees staring you in the face, thou you wont see it for long.

Step4

Find a place about ten feet away (min), out of the way for your O2 and propane tanks. Connect the pressure gauges and flashback arresters to them and run your rubber gas lines to you torch. Make sure that the lines wont be in the way or get destroyed were ever they are.

Step5

Your going to wont to keep your kiln close but out of the way. Mine sits right behind me on the counter so I can just turn around and grab or kiln.

Step6

So the important part is done, you got your workstation, gas is flowing, the fan is sucking and your kiln needs to be filled. Start blowing, There are many different ways and techniques used to blow glass. I personally make glass tobacco products and other things of the sort. I will probably be making articles on what I know.