| Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 Allison Ray. All rights reserved. Updated July 1, 2005 |
| Sew Fun Patterns.com |
| Sewing Patterns-Your resource for modern sewing patterns and vintage sewing patterns |
 |
|
|
| How to make templates for quilting and sewing projects. Templates are an easy and efficient way to make patched projects such as qults or applique craft projects. When you use a temaplate your pattern or shape will be uniform and be easier to make a complete the project. My mom is a die-hard quilter and made the twins each a beautiful heriloom quality pink, yellow and green toile quilts. Each quilt required over 50 blocks of each fabric. I can't imagine cutting 150 blocks times two without a template. |
|
|
| More Articles, Free Patterns, and Product Reviews |
| How do you make quilting templates?
Templates are used so quilters and crafters can quickly and efficiently cut the same pattern. There are several types of templates that you can make depending on how many times you will use the pattern. Pellon Reverse side of sand paper Cardboard-posterboard-edges wear away with a lot of use and may not provide accurate patterns as time passes Newspaper-An inexpensive way to make a pattern or template but you run the risk of the print transferring onto your fabric. I do not recommend this method. Clear Template Acrylic/Plastic Sheets-If you are going to use the pattern a lot such as a block pattern that will be repeated several times throughout the quilt I would recommend the acrylic sheets. The sheets come in 8 ½ by 11 sheets that are thin enough for your to cut with an razor blade or scissors but will hold its form for repeated cuttings of the pattern. Most craft stores and even wal-mart sell the template sheets. Simply lay the plastic sheet over your pattern, with a pencil and ruler trace the original pattern onto the plastic then cut out. For hand piecing or appliqué quilt projects create your templates the exact size of the finished piece. For machine pieced quilts create your template with the seam allowances included so the sizing will be correct. With a permanent marker make notes on the templates for identification purposes for use at a later time. *block name *placement *letter or number *arrows or markings to specify the direction of fabric grain *Special Tip I always check the accuracy of my template with scrap fabric by making a test block before cutting out the entire quilt from my main fabrics. Its better to find small template errors before with scrap fabric and not your quilt fabric. |