Just wondering...

[Gaia]

Hi,

Just wondering what others do when making intarsia.

Do you cut out the whole pattern and then shape all the pieces once you are happy that it all fits together nicely? Do you cut and shape each piece as you go?
I've done both ways and since I tend to not follow the pattern exactly I find it much easier and with better results if I cut and shape as I go. I can kind of decide what I want the next piece to do this way and have a better feel for how I want the grain to run.

Just wondering.
Bobbi

[Rolf]

There are lots of real Intarsia wizards on this forum with alot more experience than me.
But I like to cut and fit all of the pieces first and then do the shaping, although I needed some instant gratification with my Heron and shaped parts of the head just to get an idea how it would look before cutting the rest of the body.

[workin for wood]

I do both, unless it's a really small simple project. I plan the project in sections. I cut a piece then use that piece to trace match to the next piece, taping those together as I go. When the entire section is finished, I shape it and edge glue all those pieces together..a few drops are all that's needed for edge gluing as you don't want glue squeezing up the top of the picture. Then I start the next section. I always begin with the section that will be the thickest. I always begin with inside pieces first, such as if I'm making a face, I start with the eyes, glue those together then use the assembled eyes to trace onto the face for a perfect fit. It's all about planning ahead. For me, a completed section never can be placed back on the pattern and be a perfect match. It doesn't matter. I trace and extend a few pieces by a few millimeters if necessary as I go, and in the end, the picture looks like the pattern even though it may be as much as 1/4 " smalller all the way around when placed on the pattern.

[f250]

It all depends on how complicated the pattern is. I like to cut in sections and work it that way. I'm still not yet gluing sections together until it is all done, half the time I go back and shape just a little bit more on things.

Cut and shape some, then cut some more, works for me

Tom

[Forester21]

so far all I've done is cut each piece out fitting them together. Then, once everything is cut I get to sit down and shape!!

[Janette]

I usually cut the entire project out before shaping - but there are exceptions to every rule - like the birdfeeder (spring issue). Because there were a lot of little pieces on the birds - feathers, etc. - I cut, shaped and glued the birds first - then fit them to the feeder. I still didn't cut and shape each piece before moving to the next one tho. How would you know how far down to sand to? I think it's easier to get an overall feel if you have at least a section cut out before shaping so you can see the overall look as you go. But...it's whatever you feel comfortable doing and works best for you.

[greatdane2]

I do the same as Janette, and for the same reasons. I also install all the shims needed as I go along.

Alan.

[Gaia]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm still very, very new to this and still very much learning. As with everything, I guess there is no one way that everyone does things. Everyone has their own method that works best for them.

I still didn't cut and shape each piece before moving to the next one tho. How would you know how far down to sand to?

When I shape as I go, I mean just rough shape. Once the whole project is cut I go back and final shape and sand.

I plan the project in sections. I cut a piece then use that piece to trace match to the next piece, taping those together as I go.

This is how I have been cutting, I've found that it is easier to get a better fit this way.

Thanks again,
Bobbi