I prefer the blue painters tape, with spray adhesive on the back of the pattern method. As you know, if the pattern barely fits the wood, applying the sticky pattern straight can be a pain. Put the pattern on this plan today:
http://theartfactcom/Product.asp?id=271 Glued 3 oak boards together, but to cut down on waste, I only glued short boards to the center piece for the cross arms. The bottom of the upright board was just barely wide enough.
Took a sheet of wax paper, twice the height of the pattern, and folded it in half. Ended up with a double piece, the height of the pattern.
Sprayed the pattern as usual, but set the sticky side on the wax paper, with the wax paper fold toward the top of the pattern. Left about an inch of pattern extend above the fold. Laid the everything in the wood, being careful not to stick down the exposed inch of pattern. Had ample time to position the wax paper/pattern. When satisfied, I stuck down the inch of pattern and secured it with 2 spring clamps. Grabbed the lower layer of wax paper and carefully pulled out on it, unrolling the top half of the wax paper, while pressing down on the pattern as I pulled. To be on the safe side, I wrapped everything in clear packing tape. Thought that I had died and went to Heaven.
jerry
