Template Plastic
 

Has anyone ever used the template plastic from Jo-Ann's? I looked on their site & I see that they offer several different ones. I'm going to make a cell phone stand & the instructions show covering cardboard for the stand but I want to use plastic in case it gets wet the inside won't fall apart or warp out of shape. None of the products below tell the thickness of the templates but they all say they can be cut with scissors, rotary cutter, etc. My pieces need to be sturdy enough to stand up but not thick like a rotary ruler. Any suggestions on this for me?

http://www.joann.com/quilter-s-thick...prefv1=Product

http://www.joann.com/quilter-s-plast...prefv1=Product

http://www.joann.com/search?q=templa...prefv1=Product

http://www.joann.com/search?q=stencil+template

http://www.joann.com/gridded-plastic...prefv1=Product

Here's what I will be making:

You can get clear plastic placemats at the dollar tree, I find they work well and are a tad thicker that template plastic, also less expensive. Also plastic canvas that cross stitches use might fit your needs.

I've never seen a template plastic that would work for what you want - even the thick kind is too flexible for this.

Maybe try a plastic cutting board from the dollar store (this sort of thing) - it might be strong enough for your a cell phone stand, although I don't think it would work for anything bigger. I'm not familiar with the plastic placemats ontheriver suggests, but they would probably work as well.

Plastic Template is most likely going to be too thin and flexible for your project. On Joanne's website search for "Plastic Canvas". It's thicker but still has some flex to it so you might consider using double thickness.

I agree with AStitchInTime. I buy all my template plastic from JAF -- both the mylar (heat resistant) and the regular. If you really, really want to use their template plastic, you would need to glue together several layers with e6000 glue because otherwise it is super flimsy & flexible. You would get more support from a cut up cereal box than from template plastic.

Or you could maybe just glue the template plastic onto something thicker like cardboard, foam or ShapeFlex.

Thanks for the info on the template plastic. I looked at the Dollar Tree this afternoon & didn't see anything that I thought would work...well, maybe one plastic thing that had square holes in it. I think I would have to glue 2 together so that wouldn't be too bad. I'll keep looking around. I probably should have bought a couple of those things at the $ tree today to just try. I'm still just making prototypes of this pattern right now. I'm also going to re-vamp it to see if I can make it reversible by putting Velcro on the back sides so it could be used with either fabric choice.

You could try a cover from a loose leaf book maybe. You can buy that from $ tree also.

I have used the cutting mats from the dollar store as well as plastic bacon backing, sides of straight plastic containers from salads, etc,

I haven't seen any template material that is that strong. You might check on the plastic canvas. It is a little thicker and might work. As mentioned above, do you have an old cutting mat??

plastic
 

Home Depot sells plexiglass in different thickness .... one of those should work...they may even cut it for you.....

Great idea ccryder752! I'll check it out next time hubby & I go to Home Depot.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

How about a lid from those pod containers for the dishwasher or the side of a gallon size detergent bottle. What about the plastic lid from take out food or old tupperware lids?

I have a large mail divider made of metal. It holds a few of my rulers and can also hold my cell phone and tablet. I think I paid $10.00. There are also smaller ones. I've had it for about 5 years. By the time you spend looking here and there, it's already done and it's sturdy. I've seen them in black and grey metal and clear black and grey plastic.

There are various thickness of Joann template plastic, also clear, with grids and opaque. But, when I need to have a sturdy base for stands, purse bottoms, etc. and want something 'better' than the stiff interfacing, I use plastic needlework canvas. It is easy to cut, fairly inexpensive and the holes keep it very breathable.

I agree. Regular template plastic won't work. Those plastic cutting mats are all I buy for projects like these

I made one of those. I used the corrugated plastic like signs are made from. Old political signs etc. It looks like corrugated cardboard but is plastic. I assume you can buy it, i have a supply of old signs I collected on trash day. Look for it after a festival or other event. It also make great bottoms for purses and totes. Free is alway good. More money for fabric.

Meanmom -- this makes me smile. When I moved DSIL and DS thought I was nuts for all the useful non-sewing notions they found.

More great ideas....especially the free/cheap ones. I never thought of the plastic political signs, etc. Thanks!

Wal~Mart also has inexpensive place mats. I've seen them less than a dollar. Not sure if they would be sturdy enough or not. What about a heavy fusible like timTex it holds up pretty good for fabric bowls. Of course it isn't inexpensive like some of the ideas.