After searching repeatedly for just the perfect curve for a new size fabric piece, even going to the barn to borrow a garbage can lid, using a pizza pan, a saucer or the microwave plate I finally got smart! Got some of the sheet template plastic (so worth the extra pennies, doesn't curl, heavier plastic) and traced different curved objects on it.

You can make tons from just one sheet by nesting them so that the inside curve is smaller than the outside. Boy, has this worked wonderfully especially for this quilt with its many curve sizes needed!

So you use it as a guide when you're quilting? Does it work with a free motion foot? I've thought about something like that but wondered if the foot would hop over the edge of the template.

Thanks for the tip I keep this plastic around here for templates all the time.

No - I trace around it with chalk or a marking pen, remove it, then sew the curve!

They slip into a clear sleeve in my binder quite nicely.

Kitsie,
This was a good idea. I bit the bullet and bought a couple different type circle templets and a acrylc all in one that has the curves open to trace with. (I can't remember the name of it right now) Then if I really need something I don't have I use my french curve set I bought for dressmaking.
This looks like it would save someone a ton of money. Nice post!

Great idea!!

Kitsie, I am so grateful for your showing these templates to us. I am just beginning totry free motion. Now I know why they say it takes "practice, practice, practice". Oh my, what a challenge that's going to be but I'm determined to learn it. So many of my wallhangings look unfinished without it. Seeing your templates gives me ideas. Thanks
Pat

Glad to help Pat J! I'm a "ways and means" person. If you don't have the means, find the ways.

great idea.

Kitsie, I'm with you on the "ways & means" method. I've always done that & people think I'm so smart because of the solutions I manage to come up with. LOL. They don't realize that all you have to do is use your mind & ideas come to you.

We were a Navy family (20 yrs.) so we had NO extra $ at all so I had to get creative to do crafts. Like making a birdcage from a wire coathanger.

Now my passion is my quilting. That's why I enjoy people talking about their stashes. Boy, can I relate to that.

Pat

Same here, we were Navy for 22 yrs and my Dad for 27 years, My Dad in the "old" Navy where he was gone for 6-8 months and mail was hard to come by. We lived in a trailer growing up and I remember my Mom laying under the trailer in the snow holding a can of fire, I don't know what she had burning in the can, probably gas, trying to unthaw our water line.....You learned a lot being Dad and Mom on those long cruises..

This is a wonderful tip, thank you :D:D:D

Oh my gosh, you are so right. it is tough. We got caught during our second ten yrs. when Viet Nam broke out. He was on an aircraft carrier & was the first to respond when 2 of the battleships were hit.

He was gone 7 of our last 10 yrs. Yes, it was tough. We ended up married 50 yrs. though so we must have done something right.

I lost him 2 yrs. ago so I lost my real buddy.

Pat

So sorry you lost him, we are getting close to 50 years, you know my folks were married 64 and still held hands and were so in love with each other. You learn to treasure the times when that ship came in, and deal with life when it left. We didn't have email or cell phones , I have friends who are able to talk to their husbands every night and they are in the war zone, that helps the families so much, the Dad /mom can stay connected to the kids. My DH has had by pass surgery 3 times, and aneurysm surgery once, he is finally getting better again. He was also on a carrier, The Forrestal, now if we can just keep our benefits...glad to meet you Pat.

Do you still have your birdcage? Isn't it amazing what you can invent? I feel sorry for the ones who think they have to buy every ruler, template and notion on the market just because some magazine tells them they will need it!

My only income is Social Security, but its amazing what my third bedroom may have that I can use!

I'll bet you enjoy your bird cage better than any that would cost $100! Necessity is indeed the mother...

this is so true, I remember my mom comming up with some great crafts from things we had at home.

That birdcage was a proj.of almost 50 yrs. ago. It took about 18 hangers wired together. The hooks faced out & opened upward.
I sure hope we're in the right site here so we don't offend somebody for talking other than quilting.

I don't know how anybody can survive just on Soc.Security. I'm sure you're very resourceful.
Is your Ridgefield near Battleground? I go right by there on I-5 on my way home.

What a great idea. I'm going to try it. Thanks for sharing.

I just realized we're chatting in the main quilting site? I guess you all call it a "thread". I don't understand that term.

If you'll PM (see I figured that one out)me, I'll give you further directions for the birdcage. There is more to it.

Pat

Great tip. Lovely hearing real true stories. Thanks for sharing

Awesome tip keep them coming!

Sure will, check out lasagna ? pans? dishes? containers? Just going to post it. And thanks!