I am in the process of making a quilt for my bed. My hubby wanted it made from head bandana's, this is the problem I have ran into. I found that the sizes of the bandana's are not all the same, I think the smallest is 19", but it has been so long since I messed with it I could be wrong. I cannot find something "clear" to use to cut these to be all uniform in size. I tried cardboard and realized that I can't see the design to not cut into it, and the template material I have found like at Joanns isn't big enough, and I tried clear vinyl, but it wants to roll up. Now I know that some of you more experienced quilters will have an answer for me so I can get this finished up in time for Xmas. Please someone help me in figuring out what I can do. Hubby keeps asking for it, and he makes the comments when I finish another one up if I am making progress on his, and I told him my problem, but neither of us have figured out what to use. Let me know what you think might work to get these to be all the same size without cutting into the designs. Thank you! Cathy

What about plexiglass (sp?). I'm not sure if that can be cut.

Fold the bandanas in half and then in half again then cut. This might work but I can't guarantee it.

plexiglass is great - but kind of expensive - Some hardware stores are great about cutting it to the size you want. Bigger would be easier for them to cut than really small.

I've heard of people using X-ray film, but I have no idea where one could get it.

plexiglass is very expensive.
I was thinking - - since you do not want to cut into any of the bandanna designs, why not add strips to the smaller blocks to help them match the bigger size?
As far as template, if you are not going to go buy a ruler,
templates can be made out of cereal boxes, soda cracker boxes, any type of cardboard (and you draw around them)
freezer paper ... cheap, cut the size you want, using the technique mentioned above, iron to the back of the fabric and cut out ...
best all round template would be a 6 x 24 inch Omnigrid plastic ruler at your quilt store or local craft store ...
cheaper than plexiglass.
The next ruler I would purchase would be the 6 x 12 plastic ruler ...
and the rotary cutter, and the mat ...
those three/four items will pay for themselves faster than you can make one quilt.

I would suggest getting one of the June Tailor Shape Cut Plus ruler (I've seen them at the LQS, JoAnns and Hobby Lobby). The large one is 18" wide, and it is divided into 1/2" spaces, which makes it great for strip cutting sashing and bindings. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...RODID=prd17893

For large size templets that I can see through I bought a poster size frame from Walmart- about $12.00 and cut the front plastic to the size I wanted. Use an exact o knife or sharp kitchen shears.

Plexiglass, or sheet acrylic, is NOT very expensive, unless you are buying it at a sewing store :D

Any hardware store, home improvement store or the like will cut to size for you. Here is a link to an example available at Home Depot, it's 18 x 24 and for about $7:


http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...02&R=100402508

Just tell them you need to have it cut carefully SQUARE, in whatever size you need.

Yes the hardware shop is the place to go, or if you have a shop near you that replaces car windows, sometimes they have chunks of tempered glass that they'll bevel the edges on & you can get a good price on these. The glass is alot heavier than the plexiglass but if the price is right.....
Or if you don't wish to spend any money, take a sheet of newspaper & a carpenter T-square, draw yourself a square the correct size, cut out the center and use the "frame" section for a window. Lay your ruler carefully on the edge & either mark the fabric or cut with your rotary cutter.

You can actually use 2 rulers butted together to trim all the bandanas to the same size. It will be time consuming and you'll need to do each one by itself but it is possible!
I use this method when I need a large square for a medallion.
HTH!
Sue