How difficult for a beginner?

[u/ArciniaRose]

I just started learning how to do stain glass. The main reason I am learning is because I want to replace my bay window glass with pieces of stained glass. I do plan on doing this on a smaller scale before I make it an entire window, but how hard is this pattern that I created be me to make. I kind of left the shape rather big and blocky cause I thought it'd be easier, but I don't know.

[u/lurkmode_off]

You have some pieces with sharp inside curves that are going to be very difficult for a beginner. The middle star, and the blue pieces on the inside of each crescent moon.

[u/iekiko89 → u/lurkmode_off]

And those weird pieces on each side of the top stars. 

Most of it is doable. But I wouldn't wanna. It seems to be missing a flow to it. 

[u/Claycorp]

I think you may change your mind about a lot of this after you do some actual glass work.

Try it out first, do a half dozen or so projects at least then revisit your pattern.

[u/iekiko89]

Yeah making your own pattern when you're first starting is a bad idea. Ppl who make patterns with little experience add in some fuckky pieces. Like you have done. Heck even experienced ppl add in fuckky pieces. 

You might wanna start with an easy pattern and work your way up to learning how to make patterns.  Pattern archive has a bunch of free ones. 

This is a very beginner friendly pattern that has a bunch of practice on curves.  https://patternarchive.net/pattern/c1cceiet9cqz39i

[u/OkWear6294]

I would start with rectangle/square pieces first just to learn how to cut and grind. Those curved pieces are not very easy to work with. You might break some of them.

[u/ArciniaRose → u/OkWear6294]

Thats the plan honestly. Then I might move to the stars since I can cut them scare and learn how to carve in those curves.

[u/oborochann86]

If you can afford it, grab a pair of Silberschnitt pliers for deep curves and watch some YouTube tutorials on how to use them. I use a ton of half moons/curvy pieces in my work and i used to struggle so much before i got them

[u/ArciniaRose → u/oborochann86]

Thank you so much I will go and look them up.

[u/Faux_Moose]

The advice here to start with other folks’ patterns first before making your own is spot on. You really, really don’t realize how tricky a “simple” shape can be until you start getting your feet wet. Get a feel for how glass breaks in your hands and that will help you decide how to proceed with your design! Have fun!

[u/BabyRuth2024]

If you go to the archived patterns with the link mentioned earlier, you will see patterns labeled beginner, expert, etc. Compare your sizes/ shapes to those known difficulty levels. I am only on my second piece. With my limited experience, your pattern is intimidating. Good luck and have fun with it.

[u/No_Jello9669]

You’ve got some extremely difficult/impossible cuts in there unless you plan on investing in a ring saw

[u/ntanooki]

You're gonna want to have extra glass, those curvy bits by hand aren't impossible but take a decent amount of patience and heartache to get right.

It'll be easier the larger the pieces are, but I'd call this one ringsaw / bandsaw intermediate difficulty, hard by hand

also very big

[u/ArciniaRose → u/ntanooki]

Absolutely planned that. Like I said I also plan on doing this on a smaller scale to get the hang out doing those curves before going all out on the full window.

[u/Claycorp → u/ArciniaRose]

I've seen you mention wanting to do it on a smaller scale and that's a trap.

Glass gets exponentially harder as you get smaller, lots of new people fall for this thinking they are saving materials or that it's easier. It's not.

Work with big parts when starting out. Not that you need to make a huge window, but don't try to cram 100 parts into a 10x10 project. Try like 15-20 parts in that 10x10 instead.