How to start stained glass
So, You Want to Try Stained Glass? Here’s What You Actually Need to Get Started
Starting a stained glass project might sound intimidating—glass, heat, sharp tools—but trust me, it’s far more rewarding than scary (and only slightly more dangerous than assembling IKEA furniture). If you're brand new to the world of stained glass, the copper foil method is the perfect place to start. It’s beginner-friendly, offers lots of creative freedom, and produces those classic, stained glass sun catchers and windows we all love. To dive in, you'll need a few key tools: a quality carbide glass cutter (not one of those cheapo steel wheel ones from Amazon), breaking and grozing pliers, running pliers, copper foil shears (yep, specific scissors for stained glass), copper foil, 60/40 solder, a soldering iron, water based flux, pattern paper, stained glass sheets in your favorite colors, a waterproof marker, safety glasses (because, you know, eyeballs), and ideally—a grinder. That grinder will become a life saver! Seriously.
Before you get too excited and start slicing up glass like a stained glass ninja, slow your roll—it all starts with the pattern. Choose a simple design for your first project—think “sun catcher” not “cathedral window.” Once you’ve picked a manageable design, trace it onto pattern paper and get ready to meet your new best friend: copper foil shears. These magical scissors remove a sliver of paper between each piece, accounting for the width of the copper foil tape. Skip this step, and your finished piece will grow like a science fair sponge dinosaur—definitely not the look we’re going for. Take your time with the cuts here—accuracy now means your pieces should fit better after being cut and ground down, later in the process.
Now, let’s talk about the most satisfying part—cutting the glass. You’ll want to score the glass with your cutter in one smooth motion (no double-scoring, it’s not a pizza). Use running pliers to gently break along the score line, or for smaller, curvier cuts, reach for those grozing pliers. The cut won’t always be perfect (join the club), but that’s where the grinder comes in. After cutting, you’ll want to grind the edges so each piece hugs its pattern piece like it’s a long-lost friend. Tight fits mean cleaner, more consistent width of your solder lines —and less frustration down the road.
Once your pieces are shaped and feeling snug, it’s time to give them their shiny copper jackets. Wrap each edge with copper foil, sticky side down, and press it tightly to avoid bubbles or wrinkles. Use a fid (or your fingernail if you’re a rebel) to burnish the foil down so it’s flush and smooth. Next, fire up that soldering iron and carefully tack the pieces together, using a water based soldering flux, designed for stained glass. Then, using that same flux, go over the seams with a nice bead of solder. It takes a little practice to make those beads look clean and smooth, but with a steady hand and a little patience (and maybe some muttered words), you’ll get there.
See, that wasn't so hard! Okay, there might be a little more than that, but this gives you a great idea of what you are getting yourself into. Stained Glass is a wonderful hobby but be aware, the cost of the glass and solder can start to add up (if we're being completely honest) The cost of the tools isn't too bad and it's a one time purchase if you purchase quality tools. But, with your investment, you will make beautiful works of art, that will be sought after as gifts from family and friends. Some of our customers are even selling their pieces at craft fairs!
Ready to start this colorful journey? We’ve got your back. At Tillery Innovations, we offer high-quality tools built for stained glass beginners and pros alike—especially those handy pliers, and cutters that actually cut. And, our 8 and 9 piece kits include a 50 minute instructional video on cutting glass. We show all the tips and tricks we have learned in our thirty years, in the trade, as a professional stained glass studio. With the right tools in hand, all you need is a bit of practice and a sense of adventure. So grab some glass, pick a pattern, and let’s make something beautiful—just don’t forget the safety glasses.
