Meander and Hourglass Border Stamps

by Wayne Christensenwww.leatherbywc.com

This is how I do my layouts for meander and hourglass border stamps.

First I draw a line on scrap leather and stamp a 3 stamp pattern; I keep doing this ‘til I

like the spacing. Figure (1)

Figure 1: Practice three-stamp patterns until you like the spacing.

After I lay in my outer border line, I use wing dividers to get

the spacing of my inside border line.Figure (2)

Figure 2: Set wing dividers for correct border width.

Next I stamp the 4 corners on the

inside line.Figure (3)

Figure 3: Stamp corners on the inside line first.

With the dividers, I get the spacing of

the 2 stamps on my practice piece.

Figure (4)

Figure 4: Set wing dividers to proper stamp width.

I transfer that to my line, working from both ends to the

middle.Figure (5)

When you come to the center, you may have to adjust the

spacing a little.Figure (6)

Figure 5: Mark the leather to indicate stamp center placement.

Figure 6: Stamp spacing does not always line up; make adjustments as you place marks near

the center.

Start stamping at one end by placing

your stamp just above your mark,

and slide it down to the line.

Figure (7)

Figure 7: (A) Line stamp up with mark. (B) Slide tool down to begin stamping the row.

A

B

Work both ends to the middle.Figure (8)

Figure 8: Work towards the middle from both ends.

After the inside rows are done, start on

the outside by placing the stamp

evenly between the stamps on the other

side.Figure (9)

Figure 9: Complete the meander by carefully stamping the outer row evenly between the

impressions on the inner row.You can bevel the outside of the meander to raise it, or lightly bevel the

inside to crown the meander.

B