Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Template
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-11-27
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Template
C033S012000, C033S01700R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321458
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to quilting template methods and apparatus for use in transferring multiple pattern pieces of a quilt design to fabric.
Typically, a user uses a marking device to transfer a pattern piece from a quilting template to fabric. The pattern piece can include cutting lines and stitching lines. Once the pattern piece is transferred to the fabric, the user can use a cutting device to cut along the cutting lines to form the fabric piece desired. The user repeats this process until the desired number of fabric pieces have been formed. If a particular quilt design requires fabric pieces of different shapes, the user can repeat the process using different quilting templates.
Current quilting templates provide numerous apparatus for use in transferring one or more pattern pieces to fabric. One quilting template is manufactured in a pattern piece shape, so that when a user moves a cutting device around the outside of the template, the desired fabric shape is formed. Another quilting template includes multiple pattern pieces each having a distinct shape. Both of the quilting templates have one pattern piece per pattern piece shape. Using these quilting templates to transfer multiple pattern pieces of the same pattern piece shape to fabric can be time-consuming, as the user has to reposition the quilting template for each pattern piece transfer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention features a quilting template apparatus comprising a panel having a fabric contacting surface and an opposite facing non-fabric contacting surface. The quilting template apparatus has a plurality of pattern pieces of a similar shape and size, where each pattern piece includes a first and a second plurality of slots disposed through the panel. Each slot is a guide for a marking device to apply a mark on a surface of a fabric along the respective slot.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
The plurality of pattern pieces may have an identical shape and size. The panel may be formed from a substantially rigid material. The first plurality of slots may completely enclose the second plurality of slots. The first plurality of slots may define cutting slots and the second plurality of slots may define stitching slots. A pictorial representation of a quilt design associated with the panel may be printed on the non-fabric contacting surface. The quilt design may be a quilt block design or a quilt border design. A color scheme for the quilt design may also be printed on the non-fabric contacting surface.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of transferring pattern pieces of a quilt design to fabric using a panel having a plurality of pattern pieces of a similar shape and size. Each pattern piece comprises a first and a second plurality of slots disposed through the respective panel. The method comprises placing at least one panel on a layer of fabric, and using a marking device to apply a mark on the layer of fabric along each slot.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
The quilt design may be a quilt block design. The quilt design may be a quilt border design. Cutting lines may be formed corresponding to the marks applied along the first plurality of slots. Stitching lines may be formed corresponding to the marks applied along the second plurality of slots. The layer of fabric may be cut on the cutting lines to form respective fabric pieces. The fabric pieces may be stitched on the stitching lines in a particular configuration to assemble a quilt block. The fabric pieces may be stitched on the stitching lines in a particular configuration to assemble a quilt border.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of manufacturing an apparatus for transferring pattern pieces of a quilt design to fabric. The method comprises forming a first and a second plurality of slots through a panel for each of a plurality of pattern pieces of a similar shape and size and printing a pictorial representation of the quilt design on the panel. The quilt design may be a quilt block design. The quilt design may be a quilt border design. The panel may be formed from a substantially rigid material. The first plurality of slots may completely enclose the second plurality of slots.
Advantages that can be seen in implementations of the invention include one or more of the following. The invention enables multiple pattern pieces to be marked on a piece of fabric with the use of a single panel. This minimizes the layout time of the pattern pieces on the fabric while efficiently using the piece of fabric being cut.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, including the drawings and the claims.
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Fish & Richardson P.C.
Fulton Christopher W.
Hess Katherine L.
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