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