Templates .....

I quit trying to use those "template sheets" of thin plastic film that Joanne's sells. What I have done is gone to a manufacturer of plastic sheet stock that is used in that industry, and bought some of their cut off pieces of plastic that is about 1/16" to 1/8" inch thick. I make my templates out of that stuff. That way the rotary cutter has something substantial to run against when you place it next to the template to use it for a guide. I have found that the rotary cutter can not distinguish between the thin plastic film stock that Joanne's and others sell. Check your phone book and see if there is any plastics industry in your area, and call them and explain that you would like to buy some of their cut offs for use as template stock. I bet they will be glad to sell you some for cash and not have to send it to a landfill.

John

John

It sounds like a winner, John, but no plastics industries make their homes here. Any ideas about suppliers online?

Sunny

I absolutely hate traditional templates, and avoid them whenever possible. Since I do piecing by hand, I want the stitching line marked rather than the cutting line, so I make "stencils" with the plastic sheeting stuff they sell at TSWLTH. For example, if I need 2" squares, I mark them on the plastic, spaced 1/2" apart, and cover the entire sheet with 2" squares, and very carefully cut them out so the plastic sheet is covered with holes. Then I literally lay the sheet on the back side of the fabric, take a pencil and quickly draw around the inside edges of all those little squares, and repeat for as many

2" squares I need for that fabric. Then I use my plastic ruler and rotary cutter and eyeball cutting them apart. Since the stitching lines are marked the cutting doesn't have to be absolutely precise. It is much easier and quicker to draw around the inside of a stencil than around the outside of a template. I have used this system for quite a few quilts, save the plastic stencils, and seldom need to make a new one.

Avoid templates if at all possible?

If that's not possible, with some shapes you can affix the template underneath an acrylic ruler, aligning the at least one edge. Use scotch tape. Sometimes you can align two sides, depending on the shape. That way, you can use the template as your guide, but the acrylic ruler keeps the rotary cutter from shaving off some of the shape each time you use it.

Otherwise, draw around the template with a marking tool of some sort and do the actual cutting with an acrylic ruler and rotary cutter. Or, if it's curvy, scissors.

Template plastic was never meant to be used with a rotary cutter. AS you know, not good for the template and dangerous for your fingers, as well. :<

joan

I can't cut that template plastic, either, Sunny!

I either use freezer paper as a template stuck onto the fabric and sew along the edge of the FP. (I love this method - but with a curve it might not be so efficient).

or

I will draw the block onto FP, very carefully, at the correct size. Then I will press four or so sheets of FP together, with the pattern on the top. This little pack can be cut much more easily - and, therefore, accurately. Where you are using curves you need to see the stitching line anyway, because you will be matching curve to curve. If you put registration marks on the paper, along the length of your curves, every so often, and transfer these to the fabric, you will find joining curves an absolute breeze.

If you draw carefully round these paper templates, you can use your rotary cutter to cut the fabric alone, leaving the seam allowance on the outside of your drawn lines.

Hope something there helps. . In message , Sunny writes

I "assumed" that Tap Plastics was nationwide, but, apparently not. Here is a link to plastic sheets from Tap Plastics - hopefully they have exactly what you need.

(And I do agree about using the stencil sheets from TSWLTH - I can't use them either - but I wonder if you could cut 3 - 5 the same size & glue them together??) Personally, when I just have a couple of pieces to cut, I draw it with pencil on my fabric & cut on the pencil lines. That has worked well for me.

Pauline Northern California

I quit trying to use those "template sheets" of thin plastic film that Joanne's sells. What I have done is gone to a manufacturer of plastic sheet stock that is used in that industry, and bought some of their cut off pieces of plastic that is about 1/16" to 1/8" inch thick. I make my templates out of that stuff. That way the rotary cutter has something substantial to run against when you place it next to the template to use it for a guide. I have found that the rotary cutter can not distinguish between the thin plastic film stock that Joanne's and others sell. Check your phone book and see if there is any plastics industry in your area, and call them and explain that you would like to buy some of their cut offs for use as template stock. I bet they will be glad to sell you some for cash and not have to send it to a landfill.

John

John

no idea what block?? is giving you trouble but maybe a saucer, plate, lid off something in the kitchen would give you the right curve and be big enough to let that wee rotary cutter do its thang (sic). j.

"Sunny" wrote... I'm trying hard to make my peace with templates, but I have problems making pieces with templates. No pun intended. Really. I hate using templates. The tiniest bobble when copying the lines ends up magnified all over the quilt, in every block.

I've made good copies of the templates on "template sheets" but every time I go around with my teeny tiny little rotary cutter I nick some of the template and that's not good. But if I draw around it and cut with scissors, mistakes and bobbles are inevitable. And I've tried cutting from that clear stuff that the ones you buy are made from, but can't do it for the life of me.

So, any suggestions on how to work with templates while keeping my sanity? I really love this block and want to incorporate it into a quilt. It's got curves (which I'm fine with) so strip piecing is out. I've got to deal with templates.

I await your collective wisdom. Please....... Sunny

>

And if it's something that you're going to use over and over, you can get acrylic templates made from your sample at most glass replacement companies. joan

I just remembered another place where you can buy sheets of plastic - Home Depot & Lowes. You probably have one or both of those stores in your area.

Pauline Northern California

>> (And I do agree about using the stencil sheets from TSWLTH - I can't use >> them either - but I wonder if you could cut 3 - 5 the same size & glue >> them together??) Personally, when I just have a couple of pieces to cut, >> I draw it with pencil on my fabric & cut on the pencil lines. That has >> worked well for me.>>

The block I'm wanting to make is the cover quilt on the July/August issue of Quiltmaker. Here's a link:

curves are very easy to sew. The problem is cutting out 15,000 ofeach piece from the template provided in the magazine (ok, maybe notexactly 15,000 but it feels like that). No way can you use a straightedge. Someone in my house who I love dearly saw the photo and fell inlove with the quilt. I want to make one just nap sized. But I have tofind a better way to cut out those pieces. Oh, and I bought a piece ofacrylic stuff, but couldn't cut it where it broke in a curve. Veryfrustrating.

Sunny

You should use a fine tooth blade on a sabre saw, or as they are sometimes called a jig saw. That should help you make the curving cut. Then finish the edge off with a file or rasp and sand paper.

John

might a scroll saw give a finer cut?

are more results if you google about them. i'm sure i'd have more trouble sewing those curves than cutting a template. well done, Sunny for giving this a go. it is a beautiful quilt design. j.

"John" wrote... You should use a fine tooth blade on a sabre saw, or as they are sometimes called a jig saw. That should help you make the curving cut. Then finish the edge off with a file or rasp and sand paper. John

"> The block I'm wanting to make is the cover quilt on the July/August

Sunny, my local glass replacement shop (windows, windshields, etc.) will custom cut Plexiglas, acrylics, etc. for me for a nominal price. They said they have lots of quilters who request custom templates. Give that a try!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Hi Sunny,

The picture helped a lot. I'm still not sure if the problem is creating the template or following it. I like the heavier material ideas. Fortunately, the quilt you're making has all circles, and all the same size. What about a plate, bowl, pan, can, lid... Look around the house for a ready-made template that's the right size. If you haven't got one, raid your friends', neighbors', relatives' kitchen cabinets...

Places that sell drafting supplies (engineering supply outlets, office supply chains, art supply stores) have circle templates cut out of heavier flexible plastic in a plethora of sizes.

Doc

I use fthe clear plexiglas faceshields that I used to have for my helmet in the oil refinery. Pretty tough and I can use a fine Sharpie to trace my template, then cut out with heavy shears.

G> I'm trying hard to make my peace with templates, but I have problems

Leslie, I'm headed to my friendly glass replacement shop first thing tomorrow.

Doc, the circle is really an illusion. The template is .... complicated. I'm planning a baby quilt, probably 9 blocks and a pretty border. Once I get this template under control the actual sewing will be easy-ish.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, and Ginger, if I had ever worked in an oil refinery I'd be fine, but nobody ever issues face masks to reporters. Although it would have come in handy a few times. ;)

Sunny

So, which product do you recommend at that site?

Bev in TX