I personally enjoy the drafting part of the quiltmaking as much as the piecing, quilting and binding. I have generally only bought a few patterns (mostly ones like Judy Niemeyer foundation piecing where there is no way I could draft it). Many quilts I can look at and figure out.
I do have a template/ruler for the 54/40 or fight block but don't tend to buy other templates. I do have quite a few measuring rulers and FMQ rulers though.