tracing templates
 

I am wondering about some templates I have that are not rigid like rulers and have to be traced onto the fabric. Won't tracing them make the piece larger? I have learned from all of you that the thickness of thread can make a difference, won't tracing with a pencil make the piece larger than cutting against a ruler? I hope I made myself clear. Can I put a ruler on top of the template and cut? That would cancel the requirement of having to trace around it? Thanks.

you didn't say what kind of templates- but I often place a ruler over my templates & cut my shapes- when they are straight edges- if the template is an odd shape or for some reason I feel tracing would be better I do that- since the outside edge of your template includes your seam allowance- a pencil line is not going to effect the size of your finished shape- if you feel your line is *heavy-thick* you can always cut on the inside edge of the line instead of the outside of the line.

The templates are for a tumbler block, the edges are straight. Thanks.

If you use the same templates a lot send a print out to AccuQuilt and have them make you a die for it. they can make anything.

I trace around my acrylic drunkard's path templates all the time and then cut on the lines with scissors. no problems. and tumblers and hexagons too.

I just cut on the inside of the trace line.