Bad Pattern Design or Not

[Lou Ann]

this is a pattern by Ed Sibbett, that Susan started cutting today as her second piece (she is doing it 6.5"x12") and we ran into issues with the body of the bird... we broke it twice right in the center when we were cutting the curves; we did get it cut on our third try however I got nervous that this piece would not endure the test of time... (something Rebecca kept pointing out at the Tiffany exhibit we went to last summer)

the body is 0.5" at the narrowist and 4.75" long

any thoughts? would it help if I put restrip down the sides of the bird? or should we just redesign the bird to be a little fatter? (Susan is an art teacher so she is comfortable with redrawing if we need to). The only thing we can't change is the outer border because that is already cut and she is very happy with how it all came out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Lou Ann

[Kev]

I think I would bring the back of the wings up over the body and do away with the lines running from the head to the tail. I think that narrow piece is a potential to crack....even polishing it might do it, though you might get away with it being OK...is it worth taking the chance?

[Graham]

Get it cut, and don't break it before you have it soldered, it should pass the test of time.
If you'll feel more secure, a strip of restrip along either or both sides will make it damned near bullet proof, but it shouldn't be necessary.

The restrip along a thinnish piece is never the wrong thing to do. Thin pieces can break when the panel is twisted a little during transportation or installation, particularly if thin in just one area.

[Lou Ann]

Kev,

thanks, but I'm not sure I'm following you...

Graham,

thanks, I was hoping restrip would do the trick -- I'll have to tell her this and let her decide what she wants to do...

Lou Ann

[Kev]

I meant extending the back edge line of the wings across the body to meet over the tail, thus making the tail a separate piece from the rest of the body.

[Lou Ann]

I meant extending the back edge line of the wings across the body to meet over the tail, thus making the tail a separate piece from the rest of the body.

OH, now I see said the blind man...  I'm really having a hard time conceptualizing these days...

I'm going to make both suggestions to Susan and let her decide what she wants to do. She has a spare pattern with her that she can work from if necessary...