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01-17-2014, 04:09 AM

#31

lwbuchholz

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Montana

Posts: 565

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but I make my own templates out of plexiglass. I use a sharp scribe to trace around the pattern piece onto the plexi and then I have a band saw that I cut out the pattern that I have scribed on the plexi. The template never wears out but then I have lots of scrapes of plexi. the thinner pieces are easier to use. I have heard that you can scribe on plexi and then break it like glass but that has never worked for me.
Lynda

01-17-2014, 05:13 AM

#32

Rubesgirl

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: Central Florida

Posts: 830

If you have access to a ring saw (usually used for cutting glass or tile), the thin diamond-coated blade should give you a smooth edge on plexiglas. They are water cooled, so it has to be something that can get wet. I've cut several glass templates with mine, and it leaves no sharp edges. Easy to use and not dangerous, as the blade will not cut your fingers!

01-17-2014, 06:23 AM

#33

Diane C.

Junior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Claridon Ohio

Posts: 253

My local window repair . glass cutting store will make templates reasonably. Be sure to measure templates when you pick them up. Sometimes they need to be sanded down a tad. Diane C

01-17-2014, 06:59 AM

#34

MaggieLou

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Central Florida

Posts: 1,804

I think Lowe's and Home Depot will cut plexiglass to your shape.

01-17-2014, 07:28 AM

#35

country-girl

Member

Join Date: Sep 2012

Posts: 43

Hi, Ladies When ever I need a new template made for a pattern, I take a drawing to my closest glass place and ask them to make me a template out of a piece of used plexi. For a small fee they usually will do it and are very accurate.

01-17-2014, 07:38 AM

#36

jrhboxers

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Lexington Park, Maryland

Posts: 1,052

I make my own for the simpler templates. The ones where they are just straight angles, which is almost everything I do. I simply etch the cut with a boxer cutter and then my husband breaks it on the counter edge. When there are barbs left (which isn't very often) he sands them off with emery cloth. A lot cheaper than buying them for all of the different shapes, sizes, etc.

01-17-2014, 07:38 AM

#37

madamekelly

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Posts: 7,695

Quote:

Originally Posted by terri123

Thanks folks. The shapes I'm looking for are not available. I was given a beautiful
quilt kit for Xmas. Dereck Lockwood's "Stardust". As far as I can tell, if I can't figure out
some templates, it's going to be scissor cutting all the way!
The hardware store won't cut specific plexiglass shapes for you. At least mine won't.

I do have a scroll saw and I'm going to see what I can do with that and a piece of plexi.
But the edges have to be smooth and I think I'll run into trouble with that.
This is one beautiful quilt......but.....

I learned to work with plexiglass in school. Just carefully cut your shapes just slightly larger (1/32 of an inch or less) then use a sanding block to smooth the edges and 'trim' excess until the size is perfect. When you have the size perfected, use higher numbered grit sandpaper to make the edges smooth. A little work, but they will be perfect because you did it yourself.

01-17-2014, 07:54 AM

#38

isewman

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2008

Location: Muscatine, Iowa

Posts: 781

I have a sheet of textured bathroom wall paneling. I think thats what its called. I'm guessing its 1/16th-1/8th thick. i use a box knife to cut a piece I need. And then draw the template on that piece of plastic, and then cut with my box knife. I can send you a sample piece, to get a ideal of what, Im trying to tell you. You can think about it, and then let me know.