I actually use templates like those mentioned by yngldy for my home machine quilting. I have used 5-pointed stars, hearts, a scallopy flower, etc. for years, just pinning the template on the surface and quilting around it. Or use freezer to draw and cut out the design, fuse it down, then quilt around it.
To cut shapes I have bought Ardco 'sandpaper-backed' metal templates in the past and loved them, but they are expensive for me now. The idea of using sandpaper is wonderful; appliquers use it for their design board in their lap often.