Stained Glass — Practical Guide to Making, Designing, and Caring for Colored Glass
Stained glass is both an art and a craft. Whether you want to make a small panel, restore an old window, or choose pieces for your home, knowing the basics saves time and money. Below you’ll find clear, practical steps and tips that work for beginners and people with some experience.
Quick techniques to get started
Start simple: draw a bold design on paper the same size as your finished panel. This full-size drawing is called a cartoon. Pick 4–6 colors and a few shapes—less is easier when you’re learning.
There are two common building methods. Lead came uses H-shaped lead strips that hold larger glass pieces. It’s forgiving for straight and gently curved lines. Copper-foil (Tiffany) wraps each glass piece in adhesive copper tape, then soldered. Foil is better for intricate curves and smaller details.
Basic steps: trace your cartoon, number each piece, cut tempered or hand-blown glass with a glass cutter, grind edges for fit, apply foil or fit into lead came, solder joints, and cement or putty leaded panels to seal and stiffen. For painted details, use vitreous paint and fire in a kiln or use enamels that require firing.
Tools to have on hand: glass cutter, running pliers, grozing pliers, glass grinder (or sanding block), soldering iron, lead knife or came stretcher, flux, solder, and lead came or copper foil. Wear safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and a respirator when grinding or using chemical flux.
Design choices, care, and restoration basics
Think about light first. Stained glass changes with daylight—north light gives cool tones, south light warms colors. Use contrasting values (light vs dark) to keep shapes readable when light levels change.
For home projects, consider laminated or tempered glass for safety, and add a protective outer pane for exterior windows. If you’re restoring historic pieces, check for bulging, cracked glass, or failing lead. Minor cracks can sometimes be stabilized with edge adhesives, but re-leading and professional conservation are best for historic windows. Protective glazing (a clear exterior layer) keeps weather and pollution off the original glass.
Simple maintenance: dust gently with a soft cloth and mild, pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid abrasive pads, acid cleaners, or high-pressure washing. Inspect solder seams and came every few years for loose spots or water damage.
Project idea: make a 12x12 inch panel using copper foil and a simple floral or geometric cartoon. Use scrap glass to practice cutting and foiling. It’s cheap, fast, and teaches skills you’ll need for larger pieces.
If you love history, visit Gothic cathedrals like Chartres or Sainte-Chapelle to see medieval techniques, or look for Tiffany windows in museums to study copper-foil work. For serious restoration or historic pieces, consult a conservator—mistakes are hard to undo.
Stained glass is rewarding because it changes with light and place. Start small, focus on clean cuts and solid solder joints, and build from there.
