after cutting out a few pieces for blocks, I've decided that I want the sewing lines, so I want to make templates.

I'm a total newbie here. What do you use for templates? Some kind of plastic, acetate? Where do you get it?

I have used the quilting templates that you can buy at Walmart, quilt shops, etc.... but, I also use plastic lids from coffee cans, the thin plastic sheet cutting boards from the dollar stores, there was a tip here about using the plastic piece that is used as packaging with bacon. You can use anything that is made of plastic.... I do not recomend cardboards as they tend to shrink on the edges.

I personally have never used templates but I have sceen template plastic at Joann's and also at hobby lobby. I think that Walmart may have it also but with all the Walmarts downsizing the fabric dept. they may have done away with that also. I think that I have also read where someone used the plastic that comes on report covers. Just remember there are no quilt police so you can use whatever works best for you.
Welcome to our friendly quilting family.

I had to laugh about your comment on the "quilt police". Thank goodness there are none of those! Our imaginations would go caput!

I like to cut out my paper pattern and then glue it to plastic. That way your cutting and sewing lines are both visible.

There is specific quilting mylar or plastic with a grid pre-printed I've gotten from Michael's (or any craft supply store). If you can't find it in the sewing section, go to the stenciling section and just buy plain mylar sheets. They're used for making your own stencils and such but I use them for quilting templates as well. Make sure you have a good ruler. Nothing beats cutting strips and simple straight lined shapes like a good plastic ruler. Mine is by Martha Stewart and I love it. If you can't get your hands on mylar or basic templates lemme know! PM me and I can send ya some :D

I buy the 3 ring hard plastic notebook dividers, from office suppy. I get 10 for a 3.00. They are frosted clear, and work out great. They stay in my 3 ring quilt note book, till I need one. Then I use sheet protectrors to keep my templates in, and write what each pocket holds, on the outside of the sheet protector. May sound troublsome, but it's not at all. And that way everything is kept neat, organized, and right where I need it. Works for me anyway........

If you are close to a hospital or clinic, call their x-ray department. The old films make great templates and the best part is, they are free. Of course, the patient name will be removed from the film before you receive them.

i saw an interesting technique in my free motion machine quilting class. she had cut shapes out of the plain white contact paper (like for lining shelves, with adhesive on one side) and had us quilt around them. no marks required, when you're done, just peel them off and throw them away!

:? The plastic that's at wm and qs's is wayyy to thin, the rotary cutter usually whaks it so It doesn't work, I was thinking on the thicker cardboard. Any where online you can buy the THICK Templates like they made a few years back??? really would like to find some more.

now that's funny! My best friend is a nurse in the ER, so I bet I can get her to dig some up for me!

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'll see what I can find to try and figure out what works best for me.

I have bought plexi-glass at home depot. I have not gotten around to cutting it yet so I can't tell you how easy or difficult that may be. Unless you are handy or know a handy man :D It maybe more of a project than you want to take on. But they also sell a thinner type. If you go plexi, all hardware stores sell something, It comes in a wide variety of sizes, and most stores (The hardware store) will cut it for you. I guess the acuracy would vary, but you might get lucky and find someone who has a clue, to help you. If you bring some type of visual aid to the store with you it would help. Also you will need to sand it along the edges at least to knock of any plastic burs. This can be done with med. grit sand paper or even an emory board. I have left over piece of Plexi about two feet long and 6 to 8 inch wide I use as a straight edge. It works so much better than a ruler. except of course it has no measurement marked on it. But my cutting mats do, so it works. I plan to do some template, Just have not gotten around to working on it. Good luck ! I just got reminded that time is slipping away. and I have to go to work.

I, too, have used plexi-glass from the local hardware store. My husband used a utility knife to cut it then sanded the edges smooth. There are so many different templates or applique patterns out there, I just can't seem to have the agility to NOT cut into them if they aren't the heavier acrylic type. :oops:

When I took a beginning quilt class, the instructor recommended using freezer paper to make templates for cutting. The advantage is that you can temporarily iron the template on the the fabric so that it doesn't slip while you are cutting. The disadvantage is that, even with careful cutting, you will have to redraw the templates sooner rather than later.