add a background

by Martina
(Greenwood, IN )

I have found many patterns that are just one object, i.e. teddy bear, clown, flower, how do I go about adding a background to this? Thanks for any help.
BTW-I asked how to make your pieces fit, I took your advice and did one piece at a time, and my design came out beautifully, thanks!
Martina Brown
Greenwood, IN

Answer

Lay the pattern out on a piece of paper that you have drawn a square or rectangle the size you want the finished piece to be.

Put the pattern wherever you think it would look best. It's not a good design idea to have it perfectly centered.

Once the pattern is where you want it, start drawing cut lines from any place there are protrusions, to the edge of the square or rectangle. Try not to make them absolutely straight lines. A gently curved line looks much better.

Draw and erase cut lines until it looks like you have pieces you can cut.

Another way to do it is to have squares or diamonds as a background, and perhaps a border as well. The single item can sit on the squares or diamonds and the cut lines would only need to go to the nearest intersecting line.

If you are a subscriber to my Stained Glass Gems ezine, you will find designing tips in issue #15. You should also find some helpful ideas there.