Some people have used old x rays, if it's a template that you'll use a lot, I would see if there's a place in your town that manufactures or sells plexiglass, our grandmothers and before used cardboard, but that you have to keep remeasuring or at least you do if you use a rotary cutter. I just use the quilting rulers. Get them at Joann's with a 40% off coupon. They also have sales quite often at Joann's 40%-50% off cutting supplies. To me, the rulers are just so much more versatile.