This is the third of Alf's tutorials and demonstrations on geometric designs associated with marquetry. These designs are somewhat akin to parquetry techniques, which, after all are a very similar discipline to marquetry, so you could say that these techniques provide the cross over points between the two arms of these wood based arts and crafts.

 

These diamond patterns follow the same sort of cutting arrangements as you would have used with cutting the pieces for your Louise cubes.
The arrangement of the diamond pieces is different to the Louise cubes in that the grain pattern is used in a more linear fashion rather than the juxtaposition style of the Louise cubes. The effect is more subtle with the diamond patterns, but is very attractive none the less.  

Method:  Cut with the grain 4 strips of your selected veneer using the template, the strips need to be 7 or 8 inches (178 x 204 mm) long.
For the second veneer, place the protractor along the base of the veneer and mark off 60° against the grain, cut this angle and mark off another 4 strips as above by placing the veneer against the angle on the cutting board and using the template.
Join the strips together, once again place the protractor along the base of the veneers and mark and cut off (example B).
Place the angle against the angle on the cutting board, and with the template cut a number of strips (example C).
By moving each strip one place, we now have our pattern (example D).
The same procedure applies with the use of 2 consecutive veneers.  

Well we hope you have found these geometric tutorials and demonstrations of Alf's interesting and informative.

These geometric designs make wonderfully attractive decoration for the borders of marquetry pictures, or indeed, any pictures. Boxes in particular, and most furniture, look extremely nice when decorated with any of these designs, although in many cases it is often better to limit the amount you apply of these designs, it is often better to err on the side of the subtle rather than the too obvious.

Alf will be back with further demonstrations in future updates to this web site. In particular Alf has an excellent demonstration on the use of the piercing saw currently in preparation. You will certainly not want to miss that tutorial.

Thanks for the tutorials and demonstrations you have been doing for us Alf, it's very much appreciated by us all.