Since you are new to quilting and have a limited budget, I'll share my secret with you. Don't tell anyone but I still use a yard stick to measure and cut. (available at any hardware store)(some give them away for advertisement) and I make my templates out of poster board. Just be sure to add the 1/4 inch seam allowance if the pattern hasn't already done it for you. Poor people have poor ways is what my mama always told me. I would say that I'm being frugal. heheheh!