I just made some cutting pattern templates, that were generated from my Quilt-pro software for a Hollow Cube pattern. I have done this pattern before, but I used the paper templates that were generated to cut out the fabric. This was a problematic way of doing it, because if you strayed from the line of cutting, as shown on the small piece of paper you got a less than accurate template. This necessitated making multiple copies of the templates to account for the nicking of templates and rendering them not true to shape. I realized I could make some plastic templates that would allow the use of a rotary cutter with careless disregard to staying outside the line of the outside of the paper template by first cutting the paper template out to exact size, and then using spray adhesive and sticking the paper templates onto the piece of plastic, and then cutting out the shape to the desired dimensions of the outside line of the paper template. What I ended up with is a professional set of templates, out of plastic, that are useful over and over again. Just like commercially made templates. I got the plastic sheets from a local plastics manufacturer, who has lots of scraps and cut offs that arise from their own production, and they sell the stuff cheap. It comes in various thicknesses so there are plenty of types to choose from. If you have Quilting software, and the ability to generate cutting templates, and the use of a jig saw with a very fine tooth blade, you can cut the plastic and end up with a permanent set of templates, to use over and over for the same pattern. It all costs less than the purchase of a set of templates that you might buy from a kit. I may not be the first one to think of this approach, but I thought others might like to use the method, to their advantage.
John (Not to be confused with Helpful Hints from Heloise)