By
eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Choose a pattern that reflects your level of expertise. The number of pieces, the complexity of the design and the way you solder it together determines the strength of the finished project. Choose a simple border design with straight lines, if you're working on your first project.
Step2
Plan carefully, considering how the pieces will fit together. Avoid designs with very small pieces that are difficult to cut, have too many intersecting lead lines or lines that meet at awkward angles. These are the heavy dark lines on the pattern indicating where to cut out the piece.
Step3
Incorporate a design into a frame or extend the design outside of the frame if there are too many lead lines. Study your pattern before you cut it out to determine whether the lines intersect at the right place, whether they're too long and whether there are enough to support the size of the finished piece.
Step4
Solder all foiled joints completely to create the web of metal that holds the whole piece together. One weak joint will weaken the whole thing. Coat all exposed foil with solder, taking care to include all of the outer edge.