Great Stained Glass Projects for Beginners

The most practical and current beginner’s guide to stained glass, with 18 complete projects that teach every core technique through hands-on making. Allison’s project-first approach means you learn to cut, grind, foil, and solder by building real pieces from the very first chapter.

Why Start Here

Allison teaches every fundamental technique through the projects themselves rather than front-loading theory. The 18 projects are carefully sequenced from simple sun catchers to three-dimensional boxes and candle holders, with each one introducing a new skill. Full-size patterns, materials lists, and detailed photographs accompany every project, removing the guesswork that trips up beginners.

The copper foil method is covered in particular depth, which is ideal for home crafters who do not have access to a professional studio. The designs reflect current tastes, with clean lines and contemporary color palettes that make the finished pieces something you will actually want to display.

What to Expect

At 144 pages, this is a focused guide that gets you making things quickly. Published in 2018, it is the most recent of the major stained glass beginner books, and the photography and design reflect that. If you want to learn stained glass by actually making stained glass, this is the place to start.