- 1). Scan a picture into your computer and save it as a .jpg image or use a .jpg image already on your computer. Open a paint or photo program. Look through the menu bar and locate the artistic filter to change a picture into a cutout. Select the cutout feature. This feature is the one that turns the portrait into sections of color that look similar to small pools or puddles. Change the size of the picture to 8-by-10 inches.
- 2). Place a quilter's cutting mat on a flat work surface. Place the printed picture on the quilter's cutting mat. Cut selected areas from the paper to create an image when looking at the back side of the paper. Turn the paper over periodically during the cutting process. Add more areas if needed. For example, select the highlighted areas in the hair. Select the dark color of the eye, inside the mouth, nostrils. Select medium colored areas that create other creases in the face, the neck and hair. Cut the sections from the paper.
- 3). Center the cutout portrait on the hard underlayment. Tape the paper portrait in place. Draw around the areas of each cut-out space. Remove the paper from the board. Look at the design and compare it to the paper. Replace the paper and add any locations missed.
- 4). Put on safety glasses. Drill a small 1/8-inch hole inside each drawn area. Place the 1/8-inch hole between 1/4 to 1/8 inch from the drawn line.
- 5). Unhook the blade on the scroll saw. Insert the blade a hole in the wood. Reconnect the scroll saw blade. Cut the shape from the hard underlayment. Repeat the process with each opening.
Note: Scroll saw releases for the blade are model specific. Detach and reattach the blade according to the machine specifications.
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