If you are a beginner you can draw your own patterns.  Or you can choose to buy a pattern.  Either way, keep in mind some simple guidelines:

    -Start with a simple, realistic size.  A beginner's starting panel should be at most 1 to 2 square feet.  It will be more rewarding than a suncatcher because you’ll have to make decisions on glass color and placement – it’s a great way to experiment and learn.

    -A balanced design will make the viewer’s eyes travel in a circle, triangle, or square around the entire panel, seeing all the parts.

    -Color in the drawing or pattern to see what it will look like.  This exercise will help you select glass.

    -Check your design to see if there are any impossible glass piece cuts, and that the lines flow naturally to the edge of the glass.  If you’re in doubt about whether your skills are strong enough for a certain cut, either experiment first, or try an easier pattern until your skills improve.

    -Decide what method of construction will be used to make the project — traditional lead came or copper foil.  Either method has advantages and limitations and should be considered in terms of your pattern choice.

    -Vary the width of your lines to create depth of field or use them as an effect such as in vines or leaves.  Changes in the sizes of foil or lead will physically accomplish this effect as you are building your project.

    -If the design has too many small pieces, while much detail will be displayed, the effect of the glass color and direction can get lost.   Start with simple ideas and moderate sized pieces and let the glass do the work; then experiment with adding extra shading or more complex lines with related glass colors.

    -If you do use pattern books, keep in mind you may see the same item made by someone else… but yours will be different because of your choice of glass and color.
 

The final drawing should be in ink with all the pieces numbered, with any directional marks or shading cues added as notes.  Have a photocopy or carbon copy made on heavier paper (67# or 80# weight) from which you will cut the pattern pieces.  (If it’s a large piece, most copy or print shops can help you make an appropriate copy.)  The original design or a copy can be used to position the glass pieces for assembly.

There are a number of resources for patterns: at a glass supply shop (or craft shop) like Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Ben Franklin, or from the craft sections at, from books found at retailers like Wal-Mart or K-Mart, or from friends.  Most libraries have a selection of stained glass books available – that’s a great way to get a sense of what’s available without having to actually make a purchase.  For instance, the Henrico County Public Library in Richmond, VA has sixteen different stained glass pattern books on its shelves (along with a number of how-to guides).  You can purchase patterns online:  simply use the search phrase “stained glass patterns” and you’ll find hundreds of choices of individual patterns or books containing dozens of patterns.  Online bookstores like amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com carry a wide selection of pattern books.

You can also draw your own; you’ll probably get the greatest amount of satisfaction from producing your own pieces.  It’s not as hard to do as you might think, especially if you keep your initial designs simple.  Check out a pattern book to get an idea for how the patterns are drawn, and then sit down and start sketching.