I would 'pink' around the template the same way....using the edge of the template like it was the ruler. To 'pink' prevents it from unraveling the weave of the cloth...I think in the older day of using newspaper as a pattern, they cut on the edge of the template, so as not to destroy the pattern template...like as if it were a 'tin' template as they did at the edge of the ruler. I may be wrong, and someone else may have a better idea. Hope I am understanding and answering the question like I would do it. Just my two cents worth!