Giant Dahlia paper templates

I have cut them out carefully and then spray glue affixed them to sheets of plastic, preferably thicker rather than thinner, and then cut away the plastic outside the perimeter of the template. It works for me.

John

i'd probly make templates from empty cereal box cardboard. i do all applique and EPP that way and so far has all has worked out nicely for me. just take care you are precise both drawing and cutting them out.

what method will you use to sew all those shapes into the dahlia? j.

"Trixie" wrote... I just got the book to make a giant dahlia quilt, and it includes a boat load of paper templates. Any suggestions for the best way to use the templates and get the pieces cut out accurately? Would you transfer the paper templates to plastic? Other favorite methods?

Trixie

Good for you, Trixie. I've always loved the Dahlia. Do your tracing patiently and carefully; just a few at a time. If you go the plastic route, I've read that the heavy plastic base used in packaged bacon works okay. Haven't tried it. I like sandpaper for templates. That stuff won't slip and slide. Polly

Hey Trixie

Another idea for keeping templates from sliding especially if you are using plastic. I use double sided scotch tape. This pattern is fun to make. It was one of the first patterns I tried. Oh did I learn a lot, especially patience. It was my first time with curves.

Have fun making it.

kate T. South Mississippi

I have, successfully, stuck paper templates to thin card and very carefully cut them out. I used photo mount spray glue - so no lumps. . In message , Trixie writes

then what sewing method did you use with those? my reply before said i'd use cereal box cardboard and probably EPP them. tho i havent done a Dahlia so i could be talking thru my hat. j.

"Patti" wrote... I have, successfully, stuck paper templates to thin card and very carefully cut them out. I used photo mount spray glue - so no lumps.

Oh, sorry J., I haven't done a Dahlia. That method was used when I had to do some templates for the Snowflake (von Koch's). . In message , J* writes

I haven't looked through the book much yet, just enough to see the templates, so I'm not sure what method is recommended. It is just such a nice pattern.

Trixie

sorry, Trixie, what is the name of the book? author? just want to check this one out. j.

"Trixie" wrote... I haven't looked through the book much yet, just enough to see the templates, so I'm not sure what method is recommended. It is just such a nice pattern.

Trixie

"J*" wrote...

while googling the book i ran across this website with the pattern pieces to make the dahlia. also has templates for a dresden fan border. just cuz, j.

"Trixie" wrote ... I haven't looked through the book much yet, just enough to see the templates, so I'm not sure what method is recommended. It is just such a nice pattern.

Trixie

"J*" wrote ...

I scanned them and printed them on freezer paper then ironed to freezer paper to fabric.

Linda PATCHogue, NY Queen of Boxtops

thanks for that, Linda. seemed to me a good way to try it. will add that to my list of one day i think. i do like flowers and leaves. hmmm, i wonder if it is worth doing it in miniature with less rounds perhaps and make up a pattern for some leaves in similar design. hmmmm. thunk'n outloud again. j.

"Witchystitcher" wrote... I scanned them and printed them on freezer paper then ironed to freezer paper to fabric.

Linda PATCHogue, NY Queen of Boxtops

It's called "The Quick and Easy Giant Dahlia Quilt on the Sewing Machine" by Susan Aylsworth Murwin & Suzzy Chalfant Payne.

Trixie

real smart jeanne, you forgot to add the link so now you have to go find it again. argh. (off she goes to search thru her history on her browser, dont hold your breath, could take a while as she just got up and online)..... .....

"J*" wrote... while googling the book i ran across this website with the pattern pieces to make the dahlia. also has templates for a dresden fan border. just cuz, j.

"Trixie" wrote ... I haven't looked through the book much yet, just enough to see the templates, so I'm not sure what method is recommended. It is just such a nice pattern.

Trixie

"J*" wrote ...

thanks, Trixie, i'll go look that one up. i like checking out websites of the folks whos designs i like to see what else they might have. j.

"Trixie" wrote... It's called "The Quick and Easy Giant Dahlia Quilt on the Sewing Machine" by Susan Aylsworth Murwin & Suzzy Chalfant Payne.

Trixie

"J*" wrote...

Excellent idea! I also like seeing what others have done with the same pattern. I know I've seen several of the dahlia quilts over the years and always found them stunning. The pattern has been around for a long time, but so have I. :>)

Trixie

i didnt find a website for either of those two ladies. oh well. i tried. i too have been around for more decades than i can believe. thot for sure i'd of departed years ago. who knew. j.

"Trixie" wrote... Excellent idea! I also like see> thanks, Trixie, i'll go look that one up.

For other blocks, I've cut the paper templates with a narrow margin, then glued them to freezer paper. Then I cut the EXACT cutting edge of the templates. (You could use double layer of freezer paper if you want a heavier template.)Then I usually just LIGHTLY press the freezer paper backed template to the fabric and cut out the fabric. HTH. PAT in VA/USA

I sure appreciate everyone's responses and have kept them for when I get started.

Trixie