Laying out curves

**gibbermonkey** · 08-23-2011, 14:58

I was working on my bug sock earlier today and wanted to mark out and cut a curve in the netting. Using a piece of string as a compass didn't work as the fabric kept bunching up and I didn't have anything big enough to draw around. After a few minutes I came up with this...

23082011387__72ppi by gibbermonkey, on Flickr

A curve formed with only straight lines. I thought it might come in handy if anyone else faces the same problem.

**bigbamaguy** · 08-23-2011, 16:24

What are the measurements on your hash marks. Are they 1" apart, 2" apart?

**turnerminator** · 08-23-2011, 17:03

Thats neat

I use a piece of uPVC quadrant for drawing curves.

**gibbermonkey** · 08-23-2011, 17:25

Originally Posted by bigbamaguy

What are the measurements on your hash marks. Are they 1" apart, 2" apart?

2", but as long as they're the same on both axis then you should get a good curve. The smaller the measurement, and the more of them there are, the smoother it will turn out.

Originally Posted by turnerminator

Thats neat

I use a piece of uPVC quadrant for drawing curves.

I thought about using a piece of flexible plastic, but didn't have any to hand. I think if I was going to be making a good few it would be my weapon of choice though.

**shumway** · 08-23-2011, 17:31

An option if you're interested... use a long strip of wood or plastic. Bend it to the shape you want, clamp it down with a couple c clamps with the fabric between it and the table. trace your line off that. (I got the idea from model railroad building - you can make smoother curves with this method than you can with a compass)

**JerryW** · 08-24-2011, 08:51

Another option that I use is to hang the material on the wall and hang a rope or small chain between the end points of where you want the curve. It's easy to adjust the amount of curve. Let gravity work for you.

Jerry

**raiffnuke** · 08-24-2011, 08:52

Originally Posted by JerryW

Another option that I use is to hang the material on the wall and hang a rope or small chain between the end points of where you want the curve. It's easy to adjust the amount of curve. Let gravity work for you.

Jerry

That is what I do, only I put some cardboard or poster board on the wall, hang the chain or string, spray paint over it...the resulting "shadow" is the definition of a cat curve. Cut out the cardboard along the curve and you have yourself a perfect pattern. Just my 2 cents.

**unsponsored** · 08-26-2011, 05:12

Very nice. Good to see another North Easterner on the forum (I'm from So Shields).

**Silverhill Forge** · 08-30-2011, 14:50

It's like a mini-BCUK get together in here! Lol

Back on-topic though; I also prefer the 'string with two nails' approach. I've got a couple of Flecktarn tarps just waiting for the cat-cut to be finished off.