The Lafayette, La guild gave really nice apple core templates to its members for our anniversary last year. They are thick see-through plastic and have a built in seam allowance. I wanted to find out if anyone knows an easier way of cutting the apple core out instead of tracing it and cutting with scissors? I tried using my rotary cutter, but on the inside curves, it runs into the plastic. I am using a regular 45 mm cutter. Since I already have the template, I don’t want to purchase the quiltsmart.com method. Please help me!

I don't know the size of your template. I do have much smaller rotary cutting tools which I have purchased on sale for half price. (I watch the ads like a hawk.) The smaller tools allow me to cut the dunkard's path templates easily.
Good luck :-)

I would also recommend using the little rotary cutter.

Does your guild have the Accuquilt system? They have an apple core die that I've seen. Just a thought....

I can imagine that it would be a little tricky to cut that..
I'm sure someone will be able to help!

Even with one of the smallest rotary cutters, it may be hard to cut out that template... You could try one though :D:D:D

Can you have the template made out of acrylic or plexiglass? A glass cutting place or a custom framer may be able to do it.

I have cut REALLLLLLLLY tight curves with an 18mm rotary cutter. I too got it really cheap on sale. Joann's has 50% off all cutting tools now till the 19th.

Awesome everyone! I'm sure my mom has a small rotary that I could try before I buy.. My template is 4 & 3/4" long. And if that doesn't work out, I could try the Accuquilt system. A local store has one that they let you use for a fee. I will find out if they have the template, although, I was going to use on my scraps as i collect them. I guess if the rotary doesn't work, I will just have to put them aside somewhere special and wait..

I also have the 18mm mini rotary cutter and it works like a charm on Drunkard's Path templates. I have seen more of a box cutter looking tool but finer--hubby uses them to carve--he said they are called X-acto knives--different sizes for different things--but basically they are a razor blade on a stick so "tracing" around the template with one would cut the fabric. I'm sure the blade will dull much quicker than a rotary cutter but still a lot easier than marking & cutting with scissors. I actually remember my grandmother taping a razor blade to a stick to use for some crafting purpose. She quilted, made rag rugs, sewed clothing for all the grand kids from her own patterns made out of paper bags, sold produce from her giant garden and orchards, etc. Any thing you can think of to make or save a buck she would jump on.

If you can follow a drawn line with your cutter, you could trace around your template (onto paper?) make some copies and cut around them. To make it easier, you could use some repositionable spray on the back of the paper and it would stick over and over again to your fabric. I think that's what I would do.

Thanks for the X-acto knife idea, which might work as well. It occurred to me that I need to clarify which part I need help cutting. I need help with the inside curve, or the part of an apple where the seeds are. --> )(
I’m fine on the top and bottom outward curve.

I have an acrylic template for the apple core and use the smallest rotary cutter. STILL I manage to hit the blade occasionally on the inner curve. It does dull the blade and put some nicks into the template, but I'd still do it this way...with 4 or 5 layers at a time, it's worth it.

I just had another brainstorm..... at least that's what I am calling it!
When I was working on my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt of hexagons, I made freezer paper templates. I stacked 4 to 6 layers of paper together, secured them with staples and cut out 4 to 6 hexagon templates at a time. I could use a dry iron to attach the plastic side to the wrong side of the fabric. When done, I could reuse the template several more times.
Just a thought...

wow, lots of ideas, let us know how they come out

Since you'll be using scraps as you collect them, it probably wouldn't be too bad to trace and cut as you go. Then one day you'll wake up and say "wow - look at all those apple cores I've cut out!" lol

Carol B

THAT IS AN AWESOME IDEA!!!!! I was going to just grab a bunch now to start, but that makes wonderful sence! I will prob still try the small rotary first, and then after that go from there! I'm still not sure how others take the time to put them together, which is crazy! (I was going to just take the lazy way and stitch them on top of each other...) Thanks again to all--you made joining and possibly staying worthwhile!
Danielle

I do my apple core with English Paper Piecing and don't have to accurately cut the fabric. I make my paper patterns from junk mail and toss them after 3-4 uses.