I promised to make a tutorial on how I made my inexpensive acrylic quilt template for making the twister quilts.

I am not an expert on the quilt nor do I own a Twister book.... I did make a template though - two of them actually for $1.98 + tax :D

If you want an absolute exact template, I do suggest buying one. Mine is a smidge off. I could have sanded it to be exact but I was fine with it. It is literally just a smidge off. That didn't bother me nor did it affect my final product that I noticed.

Here's a link to my tutorial....
http://yarn-or-fabric.weebly.com/how...-template.html

Just checked out your tute - neat. Someone I know bought acrylic from Loew's and had they were willing to cut it into square the size they wanted - that would save you a step (more time for playing!)

My LQS 3 1/2" template is marked at 3/4" - this might account for your tad off.

Thanks for posting this; I've been wondering how to cut that stuff.

Thank you for making this tute for us :D:D:D

The tad off was in the size like it wasn't exactly 3.5" square. Lowes was willing to cut the acrylic for me but I was told that they are not that accurate. He wasn't sure if their machine needed to be calibrated or whatever the situation is. He said it is always off a little at the end of the cut. I figured I would do it on my own - it was more accurate I'm sure :)

I chose to do the 1" from the corners line as I liked the way it looked when cut. That is a personal preference. My first one I did I followed a tutorial here on QB and one of the corners was 1" and the others were 3/4 - I did it but it did look a little wonkered to me so the next one I am doing with the 1". It will make a wider pinwheel that's all.... although I haven't cut that one yet... I could change it to 3/4 and see what I think - I'll make one of each :)

Could I make my own 9 or 10 degree ruler? After watching this, I am wondering if it would be accurate enough.

I actually called a glass place in town and explained what I wanted for the 9 degree ruler and the guy told me it would cost about $6 so for that one I might get them to cut it for me. They would be very accurate there since they have all the right tools to do it.

The way I did it would be best for a basic square to be honest with you. I will say that I wish I had thought of going to Lowes before I bought the wide ruler for doing my fabric folding - I could have saved myself $10... It's all good. Folding that fabric like that was worth every penny I spent on that wide ruler.

For a wedge ruler I would suggest contacting a glass repair place. Tell them the measurements and see how much they would charge :)

Thanks for the information!

Just a tip to get your marks to stay on the acrylic....score it first (just one or two times) and the rough edge of the score line will hold the marker ink.

Thanks to all for the info. I was thinking of using this as the base for my Professional Tote bag and wondered where to get it, how to cut it, etc.

our Lowes would not cut a template u have to buy the stuff and do it yourself.so much for customr service.............

other ideas - mark your 3 1/2" omnigrid ruler (if you have one)
acrylic square picture frames
cardboard - like Grandma used!
coasters

I really didn't mind paying for mine - I think I'm getting my $$ worth and supporting LQS as well.

whatever you decide - have fun 'twisting'!

thanks!

I was going to have someone make me some templates, but this would be much better. I didn't know we could make our own!

That was great. Nice job...My DH makes all mine!

I use an emery board on plastic before I write anything that I want to stay on permanently. Then I use a permanent pen.

I have another thought on this idea. I have a piece of acrylic from my landlord using it as a make shift storm window. I replaced it with an actual glass window now, and the acrylic is now mine, so I am going to cut it myself to make that 9 degree template I need. I want to mark it as the purchased one is, and I got to thinking how to do that. Well, I have an electric engraver and using a ruler and a fine point sharpie that should be just right to make those markings. Again, using the steel ruler to guide me with the markings I need and the engraver to make the markings deep enough. then go back over with the sharpie and leave the markings embedded so they can be seen better. What do you think? Hope I stated this right to follow? One can even use different colored fine point sharpies if needed.

Just don't get too thick an acrylic or you'll never get it cut by hand. And boy does that stuff stink if you cut it with a skil saw.

I visited a nearby glass company and they quoted me $8.50 to make this - another $5 to sand the edges. Still less than buying one!!

Thank you so very much for the tutorial. :)

Thank you I might use this idea for some other templates along the way.

Good idea to make one - I just asked dh and he said he has some plastic and he will cut one for me. :)

I don't want to take up too much space with this thread now, but if someone could just tell me simply, what size should we make the square? And what is the measurement from the corners to the lines? Each side would be the same, right?

I'm sorry, I know I can find all this, but I'm having a hard time actually focusing on what I'm reading! :oops:

Oh, and thanks for the kitty support. As all of you animal people well know, it's inevitable that we face some awfulness as they get older and sick. I just hope I can do the sq fluids.