Following patterns

[mikewix]

Today I was at a fellow scroller who was scrolling a portrait, as he cut I noticed that he didn't follow the pattern lines as closely as I do. So I asked him after he went quite a ways outside the lines, Why he didn't stay on the line. His answer was when it was framed no one would notice. Guess I'm not built that way. A pattern is supposed to be a duplicate of your project. My question is am I wasting to much time following the pattern to a T, or your am I correct the way I do it? Would like to know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks Mike

[Scrappile]

Mike, I know the beautiful pictures you make, and I been inspired to try some just because yours looked so good.  Don't change a thing you do.  It is your way.  I also try to cut everything as close to the pattern as I can.  Sometimes I get off a little, that is okay, but I do try to stay with the pattern.  Just the way I am,,, I would not be happy if I didn't.  I agree most people would not know if you cut online all the time, but I know when I don't.

[dgman]

I suppose it depends on the type or project you are doing. If you cutting a portrait with hundreds of cutouts that are mostly small cutouts that don’t really define anything, then it doesn’t really matter. However, if you are cutting word art or desk plaques or clocks where every or most cuts actually define something, then yes, it is important to cut as accurately as possible.

[kmmcrafts]

I try to stay on the line as good as I can. Always think I do an awesome job until I put my glasses on .

[new2woodwrk]

I do my best to follow and stay as close to the line as possible.

It seldom works out, but I try anyway.

I agree that certain projects require cutting the line and others not so much.

Fortunately, since I do so poorly following the lines, I stay within my limits and do projects that are difficult to see I missed

 

[don in brooklin on]

I used to teach Scrolling 101 at our club and one of the tips I gave the beginners was - once the pattern is removed no one know where the line was.  Therefore, if you come off the line just ease it back on so it looks smooth.

I try and stay on the line but sometimes at my age the line sometimes the lines moves. Not my fault. LOL

 

[Fab4]

Hi Mike:
The way I look at it, follow the pattern as best as you can, that's why you use a pattern in the first place
As mentioned, sometimes the lines move so do your best to get back on track
Think of it as driving your car/truck, You go over over the centerline on the road, just a bit mind you
do you stay there or keep going over the line or do you steer back to your side
Fab4

[mikewix]

Thanks for the reply guys. My eyes are also failing at 72. I cut with a lighted magnifier, which helps, but  when you leave the line it looks like a mile.  Ma says I'm to much a perfectionist, the smallest flaw drives me insane. Everyone raves about my project and all I see is that stupid flaw lol. I'm cutting Charles Hand's Hunter for the second time, first time around was sanding the fuzzies off the back and caught it wrong with the sanding block and knocked a chunk out. After a few choice words to myself I've started over and have taped the weak spot so it not happening again. Will post it when done. Mike

[Foxfold]

I'm with you on that. I try really hard to stay on the lines. (I use 'red' lines as I can't see where my blade is on black) Sometimes as has been said 'the lines move' but I still try my best to stay on them.

[trackman]

6 hours ago, mikewix said:

I'm cutting Charles Hand's Hunter for the second time, first time around was sanding the fuzzies off the back and caught it wrong with the sanding block and knocked a chunk out. After a few choice words to myself I've started over and have taped the weak spot so it not happening again. Will post it when done. Mike

I found a good way to remove fuzzies is with a propane torch turned down low. Move fast an the fuzzies will come off. 

[ScollSaw Slasher]

In general, I try following the line as best as possible. But in fretwork and even some word art, delicate bridges are an accident waiting to happen. Experience teaches one to cut to the waste side off the line, the pattern be damned. Oft times, the pattern designer has not even cut the pattern and really doesn't have a clue to the pitfalls to his or her pattern. Just my opinion.

[Bill WIlson]

By and large, I make every attempt to follow the pattern.  That said, on portraits, where many of the holes are sort of abstract, I don't get too shook up if I wander off the line.  I will even make slight "modifications" to add bridges, where I think the pattern is unnecessarily fragile, or perhaps blend 2 small holes into one.  None of these changes affect the appearance of the finished piece and I don't even think of them as mistakes.

In general, I think it's good practice to strive to follow the lines, as much as practical and possible.  It teaches us good habits.  However, after a little experience, I think most scrollers know when & where to apply a little individual discretion.

[OzarkSawdust]

I was obsessed over staying on the lines when I first started. Not so much now. 
If I’m cutting letters or something definitive I do. But small cuts or veins it give it charisma I just use them as “guidelines “. The more I do the better I get at conveying the message. After all, I’m working on becoming a scroll saw “artist “. And learning to interpret. 

[Phantom Scroller]

Patterns are guide lines go wider where necessary and smaller if needed that's what I stick too and it works for me. Roly

[Sycamore67]

I do Intarsia and you must follow lines to get a good fit.  In fact, a lot of times I try to stay just one side of the line.

[Dan Page]

Have to chuckle at this topic a little bit. I try to stay on the line as much as I can. A few years ago I had cut out an ornament and missed a line and thought I could let it pass. After completing the ornament I was not happy with it. Told my wife I was going to redo it and she asked why and I told her I was not happy with it. I showed it to her and she said nobody would ever know but I did. I am blind in my left eye so it is a challenge for me to do super detailed work. I have a lot of people ask me how I do this hobby with just one eye and I just have to tell them it's just something I wanted to learn how to do. Sorry for the long reply

[oldhudson]

I suppose IF you're working on a portrait or a forest scene it's fine but if your trying to make a wooden gear clock there's a pretty good chance it won't run if fail to follow the pattern cutting the pallets or the escape wheel.

[Scrappile]

If you are making a detail fret work box, clock, or something similar, it will not fit together.......

[wombatie]

The line is my guide always, hate drifting too much.

Marg

[lawson56]

I try my best to stay on the lines, either on the inside jut a smidgin,or as the case my call for it just to the outside,just a smidgin,but most of the time I try to stay right on the line.

[barb.j.enders]

I try to follow the line.  I find it very challenging to cut "just outside" the line.  Perfectionist as well.  When I show I piece I also only see the faults even though the family and friends are alway complimentary.

[tomsteve]

On 2/9/2020 at 8:14 PM, mikewix said:

Today I was at a fellow scroller who was scrolling a portrait, as he cut I noticed that he didn't follow the pattern lines as closely as I do. So I asked him after he went quite a ways outside the lines, Why he didn't stay on the line. His answer was when it was framed no one would notice. Guess I'm not built that way. A pattern is supposed to be a duplicate of your project. My question is am I wasting to much time following the pattern to a T, or your am I correct the way I do it? Would like to know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks Mike

heres how you can find out for yourself:

cut a portrait doing it like the fellow scroller. frame it or whatever and put it away for a month. then pull it out at look at it. see if you can find what ya didnt cut and where ya went off course on the pattern.

i modified this one. a couple of the cuts i joined to make one cut and left out others. i dont know where and i doubt too many other people could tell either.

theres no right or wrong way to cut a pattern. patterns are only suggestions.

[BadBob]

I make toys, mostly. When making toys, I find that the better I can stay on the line, the less work I have to do later — sanding things to fit or to get the shape just right, so it is pleasing to my eye and touch. If a curve has ripples, I can feel or see, I will sand them smooth.
On the rare occasion that I get to deliver a toy in person, almost the first thing they do is feel the surface of the toy.

Yes, I'm very anal about this.

[Puzzleguy]

Its not as important as to how well you follow the lines

as to how it looks when your done -

i call it creativity ( no two are alike ) and no ones perfect 

at least thats my excuse

 

-and besides its fun to vary from life's lines a bit !

Edited February 11, 2020 by Puzzleguy

[MrsN]

for me it depends on my mood. Sometimes I just want to make sawdust and will pick patterns that have a lot of wiggle room. Other times I like to be as accurate as I can and follow the line closely.