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Old Windows- Make your own patterns?

15 years ago

I'm new to this and to the site, but I have "inherited" 20 old windows from my grandmother's house and I really want to use them for art. Does anyone out there paint their windows for indoor use (leaving the frame and panes intact) and make their own patterns from existing photos? Also, any experience with Gallery Glass products for faux stained glass effects? Thanks!

Comments (17)

junkinthetrunk
15 years ago
Saw these at a flea market
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caroleena
15 years ago
these are my dream project! i have the old windows but not an artistic bone in my body! i can draw stick figures ..... lol...and they don't look particularly good. i have considered stenciling, rubber stamping, and the stained glass kits but the kits are pricey!
woe is me...
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Mostly, I have either cut out the pieces and laid them out on a table, or, for more complicated patterns, used graph paper and crayons, and I thank you very much, Wanda, for the link to the site that lets you print graph paper. It is going to be tremendously helpful. Sometimes I use EQ6, but I am still a novice at using it, so can't use it to full advantage yet. I find it a nuisance to scan in the fabrics I plan to use, and in the case of my recent dark batiks, though I did scan them into EQ, I still couldn't get a good idea of how they would look in the finished quilt, because each one looked so tiny. What I did do for that quilt in EQ6 was to "create" the entire quilt with all its blocks, and then color-coded for each of the fabrics I planned to use in it. Each fabric appeared several or more times in the quilt, and, for example, orange could mean "rooster fabric," and green, "the batik with leaves," while pale peach was the background color. This, printed out, was very useful for remembering what went where. I am sure that, like Laura, I would use EQ6 for the blocks of any traditional-patterned quilts I make, but I would most likely not bother to try to find the exact fabrics or scan mine in, but just go for whatever EQ offers that would give an approximation of the colors I'm going to use. For I-Spy quilts, I lay out the picture squares in rows in the order I plan to use them in the quilt and then photograph the arrangement, because I want to get a pleasing set-up, color-wise. When a cat rushes over and messes the squares all up, having a photo saves the day!
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I was going to try to explain how to make a pattern from scratch but it may not work well for a dog as it would for a person since doggies don't stand still. Plus it is a lot of free hand drawing and cutting muslin then fitting and recutting. So my best suggestion when someone asks me how to do this and they don't sew a lot is use an old shirt, dress or skirt. You can de-construct a piece of clothing then transfer it to muslin and or paper. You said she has a unusual body shape so if you have one outfit that doesn't fit quite right that would be the one to use. Another suggestion if you don't have any outfit for your dog now is to buy people clothes to fit her. A thrift store is good. You can buy a boys or girls tee shirt and even some pajamas would work. You can adjust it large, small, longer, or even shorter. You will put the shirt or coat on the dog inside out. You couldn't pin it since you will need to pull if off the doggy and she may get stuck! Not good so I would recommend instead of pinning is just pinching the fabric up at the seams where it needs to be smaller and draw a line by your finger on each side with a marker. If you need to add to the area/seam to make it bigger you will have to guess a little and mark next to the seams +1/2" or whatever extra you need. If it needs to be longer measure and write how much you need to add or mark a line where you want to shorten it plus 1/2" for seam allowance. Next you then will just rip the seams out or if you choose to cut the seam then add a 1/2" seam allowance to your pattern. Iron the all the pieces flat. You will lay the pieces out on a paper or muslin. Next you will have to free hand the lines of the pattern if making it larger or just cut the shirt piece in where it needs to be smaller. I prefer to cut out my pattern on muslin first then sew it all together with a long stitch. One suggestion is to cut the muslin pattern with a seam or opening on the back of the dog if a pullover shirt. That way it's easy to put on your dog to check the fit. Muslin doesn't stretch and it would be hard to pull on but you will get the over all fit of your pattern. Once you have the fit you like with the muslin repeat as you did before mark the seams and length then take out the stitching recut the pattern to the adjustments. Now finally you can lay it down on paper and cut out a permanent pattern. I use a drawing paper that comes on big rolls. It's a little stiffer than regular paper plus it will last forever. If you make a full length with sleeves pattern first then you have one you can trace and make different cuts from. Example if I was to make a A Line dress pattern I would make a full length long sleeve first. I could then copy that pattern to another piece of paper adjust it maybe to knee length and no sleeves for the same person. My best tips are the neck opening, arm opening and arms are always tricky. If enlarging you will need to taper in each depending on the look or style you are going for. Remember to add fabric allowances if using non stretchy fabric. The first cut of a pattern alway's go a little larger then adjust. Don't forget the seam allowances. When using a shirt for a pattern they are already there except when you reduce your pattern. When you are pinching the area smaller mark it at the pinch but then note you will have to add 1/2" seam allowance to that area and if enlarging you will need to also add the seam allowance. Several fittings are best. Oh, don't forget the seam allowances it's the best advice I can tell you over and over. I tried to write everything as I do it step by step. But if not clear or any questions let me know. Have Fun and Good Luck!
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nursetina
15 years ago
I am new here as well, but have been reading posts for a while. I have used the gallery glass paints for applying to a lighted glass block. Paint the design on the glass, or they sell these special sheets, you can paint the design on then peel it off. They seem to hold up well, although have not had it outside yet. I am planning one with a flag on glass block, just as soon as I finish a few other projects.
I found tons of really nice patterns on line.
Good luck
Tina
luna_llena_feliz
15 years ago
Oh my, those are gorgeous! I love the flowered ones. I would have gladly paid $40 for one of those. Now if I could only paint ...
kudzukween
15 years ago
I painted one with stained glass paint. I used painters tape on the back for the straight line patterns. I have another I want to make....one day! :)........to hang in the living room, from a picture I found of a real stained glass window. I bought most of the paints at a yard sale,so it was cheap for me. This one is for the front porch.

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weave1022
15 years ago
My new outdoor window is of plexiglass and stained glass pieces and a few beads.

I love all the windows shown here!

Here is a link that might be useful: Stained Plexiglass
irishsax72
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the pics and the suggestions. Beautiful windows! I think I'm starting to get more of a handle on these things - after starting the clean-up process! ;o) What tools do y'all usually use in removing panes, old caulk, paint, etc?
goldiemn
15 years ago
I've got some old painted windows on my Picturetrail site. If the link doesn't work, the member sign-in name is GoldieMN. I use PermEnamel paints although I would think you could use regular housepaint, too. I mean, can you wash off any of that paint when you get it on your windows??? LOL

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/227338
irishsax72
Original Author
15 years ago
Holy cow! That's exactly what I was imagining doing myself! What beautiful work! I love the florals especially. Where do you usually get your PermEnamel paints? Hardware store, craft store...? And do you strip the old paint off and take out the panes before painting, or leave as is and just clean it up? What's your process? I love the way your windows came out! Thanks so much, goldiemn!
concretenprimroses
15 years ago
Somewhere, maybe in our inspiration album?, on this site there are windows with stain glass pieces and glass globs glued to them. Then they are grouted in dark grey or black which looks like solder. They look just like "real" stained glass, but because they are attached to glass its relatively easy. They could be on the stained glass forum, not sure. I always thought I could try that because even tho I can't draw worth a darn, I could probably follow someone elses stained glass pattern.
kathy
carolinagirl13
15 years ago
though's are neat windows!!!! oh my thats such a cool idea:) thats very artistic...i think thats how y'a spell it;]....
ohgirl
15 years ago
Weave your painted screen door is beautiful!!!!!!!
How did you do the beads on glass? Please reply!!!
jamnjelly
15 years ago
I absolutely love the pink flowers painted in the last windows. They are all so beautiful and if I saw that anywhere I would definitly get one for myself. I wish I could paint. Now I have window envy. aaagghh.
goldiemn
15 years ago
Thanks, Irish. I get PermEnamels from Michael's Crafts. First wash glass, apply PE Conditioner, and paint. Usually takes me a number of coats to get opaque coverage. Others use regular acrylics but those can scratch off. I do not remove the glass. You can tape the wood to prevent painting on it.
Happy to answer any other questions!
Carol L.
grittymitts
15 years ago
My painting skills are limited to walls so I bought 'n cut up a lacy "plastic" curtain & put it on back of mine- pulled them over to each side as if they were tied back. They've held up for nearly 5 years. Put one on end of a shed. On the long blank back side of the bldg. I hung three more like it...one of which had lower pane broken- on that one, I used Marine Glue to add a $1. store rubber/plastic? baseball to look like it caused the break.

Brings lots of smiles.

Suzi
leveta
15 years ago
Hi, type in windows at the search box and you will have more then enough ideals. These women are penomonal....
luvstocraft
15 years ago
Goldiemn, I love your painted windows! Would love it if you would post your album link over on the DecorativePainting forum too. I know those gals are always looking for neat ideas.

Luvs

Here is a link that might be useful: Painting forum

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