Space Between Glass and Foil

by Denise Spencer
(NSW, Australia)

I have terrible trouble working out the space to leave between pieces for the foil my pieces fit nicely till I foil, then yuk! spaces. I am not a foil person, but want to master it. Wish you were still in Aussie, need people like you.

Answer

It sounds like you're leaving too much space around your pattern pieces. If you're using pattern shears, I have never found any that cut a narrow enough strip.

I draw around the pattern pieces with a medium ball point pen, then cut out that line...you need to cut along the outside edge of the line on either side of it. If you trace cut rather than using pattern pieces, cut on the inside edge of the line.

You can also cut and foil as you go along rather than cutting all of the pieces first. By doing it that way, you can keep track of how the spacing is coming along and make alterations as you go.

By the way, I wish I was still in Aussie too! I'll be in Canberra for a 6 week visit next Feb-March and can hardly wait.