I use those chopping mats as well and find they don't get brittle like the quilting template plastic! I've got some that are three years old and still as pliable as when I first cut them! I get most of mine at a local flea market and sometimes get them at half price. Some come in two packs and some in 3 packs. I buy 8-10 packs at a time to keep on hand as I make a lot of templates.