Haven't used acrylic templates - just traced the shape on flexible card stock.
I took a class a few years ago and the teacher showed us to use the thicker advertising paper inserts found in magazines that can be pulled out. These are as thick as recipe cards and flexible card stock. Tracing your template on these and them cutting out gives a sturdy base to wrap your fabric onto. Since then every time I get a magazine I pull out these papers and put in a large plastic bag.