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 Number 235 | October 28, 2005
© 2005 Designer Blinds

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What's This?

An Easy Way 
To Make 
Templates For 
Arched Windows

Four Steps To Easy and Perfect Templates 
In About Five Minutes —Even For Windows 
That Aren't So Perfect. 

This Yardstick Compass provides an easy method to make templates for arched windows in just a few minutes.  Better still, you can make the template on the ground instead of at the top of a ladder.  This is a way to take the guesswork out of making templates for most arched windows. It is a simple and inexpensive device available online or at your local art supply or hobby store.  It transforms any standard yardstick into a large pivoting compass and allows the drawing of the template to be done outside of the window on a table or floor in just a few minutes. The template needs to be placed into the window opening only for verification and occasional adjustments.  

In addition to the yardstick attachments you will need masking tape, a pencil, a pair of sharp scissors and butcher paper or craft paper. A small piece of cardboard may be used to protect surfaces beneath the pivot end of the compass. 

For Half-Circle Arches
Note that these techniques are for half-circle arches.  This method will not work for extremely low eyebrow arches.

The Compass Attachments

The attachments, shown at right, slide on and are tightened to hold on a standard yardstick. One side has a pencil tip for marking, and the other has a pointed pivot tip.  Attachments are available to use a cutting razor instead of a pencil, but it's safer to use scissors to cut after you are through marking the template.

Yes, It Works With Imperfect Arches

Most arch windows, when measured will show themselves to be less than a perfect half-circle.  For example an arch 48 inches wide is typically about 23½ inches tall rather than the perfect 24 inches. When you take a closer look, however, you will find that the arc of the window is actually part of a perfect circle. It's the point at which the base of the arch is installed that makes the arch less than perfect.  So, as shown in the illustration, if a 48 inch wide arch is intersected in exactly the center with a board that is exactly one inch in height —voilla!  The base of the shade is higher than the center of the circle. This is how you end up with a 23½ inch height on a 48" circle.  

Trouble is the intersecting boards aren't always exactly in the middle and can vary in height.  Sometimes they are actually below the center as well. Follow the instructions below and it won't matter. The way you set the compass will accounts for the differences in the ways arched windows are made and allows you to make a perfect template for these windows.

STEP 1- TRANSFER WIDTH MEASUREMENTS TO 
               TEMPLATE MATERIAL AND SET COMPASS.

Lay out your template material on a table or floor and tape the edges so it does not shift. Mark the ends of the entire width of the window and the center between them onto the base of the template material. To simplify the cutting, use the left edge of your template material as the left mark.  Mark the full width on the right  To find the exact center, simply fold your uncut template material with the width of the window marked so that the left side meets the right side as you've marked from measurements.  Crease the paper slightly in the middle, just at the bottom of the paper.  This crease is the center of the template.  To make it easier to see, mark it with a pencil.

Then, Slide the compass attachments to align the Pivot Point with the center mark and the Marking Point to match one of the end marks. Lock the attachments in place by screwing the caps on snugly. Check your setting against both the left and right side.  If the Points are set correctly they will fit the same from the center to each of the end marks.  Do not try to use the numbers on the yardstick to set the attachments.  

STEP 2- TRANSFER HEIGHT MEASUREMENT TO TEMPLATE

In the center of the template, mark the height of the window by measuring up from the bottom of the template material.  

STEP 3- PIVOT THE COMPASS TO MARK TEMPLATE.

In most windows the height of the window will be slightly SHORTER than half of the width of the window. In some windows, though, the height of the window will be slightly LONGER than half of the width of the window. In rare cases the height will be exactly equal to half the width of the window.  No matter which your window is, start by  placing the marking point at the height mark.  Let the pivot point fall accordingly, above or below the bottom of the template. This method makes adjustments for any of these situations.  Keep the compass points you've already set to half of the width of the opening. DO NOT adjust your compass points to match the height.

The Pivot Point location is determined by placing the Marking Point at the height mark you've placed on your template. The Pivot Point will usually be either slightly below or slightly above the base of the template. Make sure the Pivot Point is set in line with the center mark. Swing the compass on the pivot to mark the outline to the left and right sides to meet the previously marked ends.

STEP 4- CUT & VERIFY IN WINDOW OPENING.

Use scissors to cut along your outline. Place the template into the window opening and make adjustments, if needed. Mark the template with pertinent information and send it to Designer Blinds with your order.

Link: Purchase Yardsick Compass online