I too started before the rotary cutter. Learned to make templates from cereal box card board. Traced around wrong side of fabric with a pencil, cutting out each one and leaving 1/4" allowance by the pencil mark. Odd that I never got carpal tunnel then but I sure have now....
Just goes to show you, know matter how long you've been quilting or living, you can learn something everyday from QB. I'm 50% Norwegian and was certain that OLFA was a Scandinavian Company too. "Ya"....I too was so wrong!