Nori Lamphere on 
admin on 
Elayne Novotny on 
PattyM on 
This technique will not work for curves.
When I develop a new pattern I often use cardboard templates to cut the fabric. If I’m not going to make a quilt more than once, there’s no point in investing in plastic templates. I’ve done this with all the patterns I’ve tested that work best using templates.
The challenge is to cut the fabric and not the cardboard template. It doesn’t take very many cardboard sliver removals before the resulting fabric cuts are too small to accurately make the block. It’s better to find a way that doesn’t chance cutting into the cardboard templates.
The new quilt I’m working on has seven templates. The templates aren’t hard to make, but keeping the sizes and shapes accurate through the cutting process is key.
Here’s what I finally figured out.
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I make my cardboard templates out of cereal box cardboard.
I prepare the templates by marking them with the name of the pattern piece and a double ended arrow to designate straight of grain. I also spray the back (fabric) side of the template with basting spray. Once the basting spray has dried or set (read the label) I set it on the fabric stack. This particular pattern piece is the parallelogram for the accent star. The fabric stack will be cross cut at the end. |
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Hold the template down firmly on the fabric and place the ruler against the side of the template. Holding the ruler down firmly, let go of the template, pick up the rotary cutter and run the rotary cutter against the ruler, cutting the fabric. |
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Rotate the fabric stack carefully to position for the next cut.
Holding the template firmly down on the fabric stack, set the ruler flat against the side of the template. Holding the ruler down firmly, let go of the template. Pick up the rotary cutter and run it against the ruler, cutting the fabric. |
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Repeat until all sides of the template have been cut. |
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If you need to cross-cut using a template, match the template to the edges of the fabric stack.
Hold the template down firmly on the fabric stack and set the ruler. |
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Holding the ruler down firmly, rotary cut against the ruler.
Because you’re not trying to cut against the template, the template shape and size remains true. |
Nice templates, I use freezer paper and iron on, my templates are the exact size and then I cut 1/4″ larger. Same idea just different methods.
Good tip! Freezer paper does shrink the first time it’s heated, so that has to be taken into account. I float my iron over the freezer paper before I do any marking to “pre-shrink” it.
Another way to make templates is to paper piece the block making sure to trim everything exactly. Then disassemble and use spray adhesive to stick the pieces of fabric to freezer paper or cardboard and cut them out.
I like this method because it’s automatically color coded!