Use a manilla file folder. It is a little stiffer.

Take clear scotch tape and tape the paper template to the fabric. When I have small pieces (Jinny Beyer Stars for example), I copy the piece several times and tape both the fabric and the template to my cutting board. Once you cut through the paper and fabric there's no tape on anything except the scraps. The tape keeps the fabric and the template from moving.

I made them out of paper that I pin to the fabric. Problem is the fabric shifts under the paper and I end up cutting the fabric wrong. Any suggestions to keep it all in place?????[/quote]
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Since when I do sew, I like to make my own patterns, so
in making some kids quilts, or lap robes, which is most of
what I do, I simply use whatever I have on hand. Bottle and
jar caps, a favorite 1 inch thick plastic star as a volunteer gift, cookie cutters, pieces of boards I've cut with my Dremel tools, etc.
And I read here someone went to a car supply store for flat
bottomed thick aluminum pans to cut up for templates. When
you make your own, then you're on your own..
And as for the iron-on stuff, I iron 3 or so layers together, cut
them out. Small hands can draw their own patterns on them, and I graciously give them to the kids when they leave!! I have
enough junk==sorry==sewing stuff around to keep track of.

What a great idea!!! Thanks

]This works great for me. Find and old photo album, the kind that used to have plastic sheets that you lifted up, placed your photos, and then put the plastic sheet back down.
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What a lovely idea! I have some that I've put out to take to
GoodWill..I'll use them myself. And I'll see if I can't cut into
the covers...

I simply LOVE this forum...you ladies are SOOOO
talented! And I'm getting ideas that I can use forever.
Plus, I'm copying them and sending them to my daughter
and printing them out for quilting friends who are not
computer literate, but marvelous quilters.

You can spray the back of the template with 505 adhesive. The template will stay in position and can be re-used many times.

They also make little non-slip dots to use on the backs of rulers to stop slipping. They aren't too expensive for a sheet of them. I've not tried it, but I can't see why those wouldn't stop-home made templates from shifting while you cut, too.

One possibility is to make them out of freezer paper and then iron them on. Before you cut, iron all of the layers together, with the template on the top layer. It seems that ironing makes them stick together better. Do you have a rotary cutter? If you are careful, make them out of the cardboard that comes out of packages of paper, shirts, etc. then carefully use the non-slip side and cut.

Starch the dickens out of your fabric, then pin the template close together.

cereal boxes are great, also the plastic tray in bacon is also good, its kind of soft but it works. :)

I use cereal boxes, cut the tops off, then cut down one seam, then make your templet, also bacon plastic trays are good, they are kind of soft but it works better than paper. :)

When I first learned to quilt, I would draw the pattern on paper then glue it to cardboard, trace around the cardboard onto the fabric & then cut the fabric. The fabric always moved during cutting even if I pinned the fabric. The cut out pieces were never quite accurate.

Now I use a rotary cutter and plastic rulers. Of all the quilting tools you could purchase, I would say those 2 items are at the top of my list. Get on Joann's mailing list. Many times they will email you a 40% off coupon that you can use to purchase the cutter and rulers.

I can remember a million years ago, my mom used the back of cereal boxes to make templates............

I wash the plastic that comes under bacon in the package to make templates with, works for me and I am recycling at the same time.

You ladies are geniuses. So many great ideas I had never thought of. I'm glad I'm not the only one out there who has used other things instead of having to buy the expensive quilting supplies. Thanks for the quick replies and all the wonderful ideas.

When I was growing up we always used paper patterns. We saved cereal boxes for this or used brown paper bags, which were thicker then.

A class teacher suggested using freezer paper, but make it more than one layer thick. I think we made our templates3-4 layers thick. You first draw the outline of your design on one sheet of freezer paper; iron it to 2 or 3 othe sheets at the same time; then cut. Your template can be re-used as the bottom will still act like freezer paper.

I like both the sandpaper and freezer paper idea. but personally I stay away from quilts that use templates, I don't like all those pieces, tracing and cutting.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

check with neighbors who recycle. Grab the cardboard and reuse. I have also bought cheap posterboard at WalMart and dollar stores. Use the back side against the fabric; it's not as smooth and slippery. A friend uses heavy clear shower curtains...cheap to buy. Check with stores and ask for light weight packing boxes. Home Depot gave me a big bundle of cardboard a while back. Reuse when possible. ;-)

My sister taught me to make my pattern on a piece of stiff paper, cereal boxes work great, then you trace that onto your material and then you can cut it the same every time hope this helps. another thing you can use plastic lids

our dollar tree has the flexable plastic cutting mats...you get two in the package...I use them all the time because I like to use a different one for chicken...I think I have 7 now and haven't use three of them, I needed some templates and was out of the ones I buy at the fabric store...well I started looking some card board ceral boxes that were about empty, Yep...I have throwed away good food just for a box.....saw the cutting mats and the light blub came on....works great if you spray a little sulky 2000 on the back side and it wipes off with soap and water...or an even cheaper way is use the double stick take in a couple of spots on the back....can be found at dollar tree in craft area most of the time....yep just love dollar tree.....

Instead of paper, I use a light table and muslin fabric- the cheapest kind i can find. Big chain store has it as a backing 108 wide,and it makes lots of templates.. One permanet Sharpie fine point also. My sister complains about it when she is quilting it, but so far she is the only one (she is the quilter of course).....

Try also pinning the fabric on the outside of the template, about 1/2" away. That way the fabric shouldn't shift when you are cutting. It works for me.

For template plastic try checking with a local school or maybe a library or printing business that has a laminating machine (the kind that does poster size sheets). The University where I live has one and throws away the "scrap" pieces of laminating plastic that they almost always have (there is usually a bit at the beginning and end of each 'job'). They let me have all I want. It is two layers of plastic, cuts easily with scissors, is clear, and is plenty stiff, and did I mention FREE.

Pin fabric to paper template and cut out on sandpaper board which stops fabric from shifting, use quarter inch ruler to mark seam allowance and cut out hexagons or whatever pieces you're using with ruler in place, which also adds pressure to fabric - paper template stays in until enough of pattern has been created apart from outer positions - I used to use large glossy calendar-type papers which insurance companies distributed to schools, excellent quality and firm paper, not card stock unless you have no alternative and then find light weight card for some flexibility

paper and cardboard templates can change shape with use, especially when using rotary cutters, so will need to be replaced now and then

Bought some of those at our local dollar store. I also put 2 layers together for the bottoms of my bow ties purses.

I'm an "Old Dog" learning new tricks! I make small miniatures and wall-hangings and have learned that I can make a 'template'out of plain manilla folders. These templates are thin enough to pin onto my quilt blocks or borders. I then hand-quilt around them, leaving no mark whatsoever on the quilt--no chalk, purple or blue markers, not pencil-lines, etc. I just move the template along the border or in block quilting areas. Pretty clever, don't you think? LOL

Freezer paper here too. You just have to pay attention whether you iron it to the front or the back side. Works like a charm.

I use freezer paper I love it. But I have also used old X-ray film.
When I go the the Dr's or the hospital they sometimes will give several pieces for free.
I have also used old cereal,or cracker boxes.

I go around town to places where they take x-rays and ask for any they may be getting rid of. You may even be able to get some used x-ray sheets from a vet's office. They make great templates.

Make cardboard templates and stick little dots of sand paper on the back..
I bought the thin plastic cutting boards at wal-mart they make great templates

Lots of good ideas given. I need to start saving plastic rather than cardboard. I usually have template plastic on hand but now I am thinking a dif way. Some people get old x-rays too.

Very clever!

Basting spray

Glue stick

Freezer paper (best)

plastic from other household and purchased goods

And interestly, the cardboard inserts from FQs - !!

I bought clear vinyl by the yard at Joann's to cover and waterproof the soft wood surface of my daughter's dresser. I believe they carry several different weights. Perhaps the heaviest weight would make good template material. If you are fussy cutting you can see the pattern through it, too.

I have used plastic lids on containers to get templates . I also have used freezer paper. I have used Manilla folders too. What quilt are you making? Pat

I recycly plastic milk cartons as template material

Plastic from bacon packages and butter bowls--thanks for the suggestion. Sometimes I prefer a template (esp. with applique patterns). Besides, using these keeps something else out of the landfill.

Keeping the pattern in place: Try the temporary adhesive sprays. One light spray will last for several uses.

I started with freezer paper. Worked well.

That's what I used, margarine tub lids. I still have a Dresden Plate one in a bag of the blocks that I was hand piecing. Since it's by hand, the seam line is marked instead of the cutting line.