Things to do · Arts and crafts
Make a stained glass panel
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
On a beginners' course you design a small panel, cut the glass, lead it up, solder the joints and take home a window piece that catches the light. Colleges and arts centres teach it from scratch.
Moderate£100 to £500 / $130 to $650A few weeksIndoorsWith othersUK and US
Someone who has done it
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What it's really like
West Dean College's beginners' course takes you through glass cutting, design, choosing glass, leading, soldering, cementing and finishing, and you make a panel about 30 cm square or 25 by 40 cm. Morley College in London has students make a small practice panel first, then design their own.
Expect a lot of standing. The two methods you will hear about are lead came and copper foil: one glass supplier says lead came is easier for simple patterns, while copper foil takes more technique and time, and suggests trying both on small pieces.
Lead and safety
- Lead and solder are a lead source. Michigan's health department advises washing your hands before eating or drinking, working in a well-ventilated space away from the home, and washing work clothes separately.
- West Dean asks pregnant or breastfeeding students to talk to their GP (family doctor) first; Morley does not recommend its course in pregnancy.
- Wear sturdy closed shoes, tie back long hair and avoid loose clothing and dangling jewellery. West Dean asks students to bring a face mask for cementing and cleaning.
Courses and costs
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| West Dean College, West Sussex | Residential short course, 9.15am to 5pm daily; glass and materials included | £671, accommodation extra |
| Morley College, London | Eleven weekly three-hour sessions; tools and materials for the first panel provided | £430, or £325 concession |
| Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Virginia | Weekly evening class in the copper-foil method: cutting, foiling, soldering and framing | $360, or $324 for members, plus fees |
The British Society of Master Glass Painters lists short courses by region but does not vet or recommend them, and advises checking that a glass course really covers stained glass.
How to start
- Read the British Society of Master Glass Painters' list of short courses, or search for a stained glass class at a US arts centre.
- Check which method the course teaches, leaded or copper foil, and what materials are included.
- Bring sturdy closed shoes and an apron, and read the course's safety notes about lead.
Where to go
- British Society of Master Glass Painters: stained glass training UK
- West Dean College: stained glass for beginners (West Sussex) UK
- Visual Arts Center of Richmond: stained glass (Virginia) US
We opened these links on 7 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
Is stained glass hard to learn?
The basics can be learned on a short course. One supplier says lead came is easier for simple patterns, and copper foil takes more technique.
Is the lead in stained glass dangerous?
Lead is a hazard. Wash your hands before eating or drinking, work in a ventilated space and wash work clothes separately; if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before a course.
What will I make on a beginners' stained glass course?
Usually one small panel. West Dean's is about 30 cm square or 25 by 40 cm; Morley students make a practice panel and then one of their own design.
How long does a stained glass course take?
From a few days residential, as at West Dean, to eleven weekly sessions of three hours at Morley College.
Where this comes from: British Society of Master Glass Painters, Stained glass training; West Dean College, Stained glass for beginners; Morley College London, An introduction to working with stained glass; Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Stained glass; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Jobs and hobbies (lead); Hollander Fusing and Art Glass, Lead came vs copper foil (2025). Opened 7 November 2026.
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