How To Use Quilt Templates

All Techniques & Tutorials

Templates – Making and Using | Lessons

Watch the video…

Beth Hayes shows how to transfer template shapes (for both piecing and appliqu) from a magazine pattern section to template plastic. Includes tips for marking and using lucifer points.

Step-by-Step Instructions…

Working With Templates

TRADITIONAL METHOD …
Step 1.) Using a marker tool designed for cartoon on plastic (an Ultra Fine Point Sharpie pen works smashing), advisedly trace template diagram lines onto template plastic (available in most quilt shops and cloth stores).

Step 2.) Cut out plastic templates using the outer, solid line as the cutting guide. Cut directly on the inside border of the drawn line.

Step 3.) Place plastic template on the fabric and draw effectually the template with a sharp "fabric" marking pen or pencil. Using scissors, cut out the fabric. NOTE: If the template diagrams have intersecting marks indicated on them, marking intersecting points (match points or registration marks) on the wrong side of the respective cloth pieces. (Diagram I) When working with reverse pieces, draw line around template, right side up, and then turn the template over and echo the line drawing step to create the opposite piece.

Diagram I

QUICK AND EASY METHOD …
Step 1.) Using the outer solid line of the template diagram as a guide, cut out the "paper" template. (TIP: Impress or re-create 2 sets of template diagrams for each design requiring the utilize of templates. Proceed one for your file and one to cut out.

Footstep 2.) Plow paper template over and place masking tape on the back. (Diagrams 2, III, and Iv)

Attach tape to back
Stick a small piece of masking tape to dorsum of paper template.
Diagram Ii

Note: Placing a rolled slice of tape on top of some other piece of record allows for easy removal of the rolled piece, without vehement the paper template. (When cutting contrary pieces, fold fabric wrong side to wrong side or right side to right side, depending on the pattern, and cut both pieces together.)

Footstep 3.) Place textile on rotary cutting mat, right side up. Aligning arrow on template with straight grain of fabric, lay paper template on fabric (rolled tape downwardly). Press downward on the taped surface area to temporarily adhere template to fabric.

Step iv.) Place ruler'due south " line on height of template's seam assart line (cleaved line) on the side being cut. Begin and end cutting approximately " abroad from border of template. (Diagram V)

Step 5.) Plow fabric, or mat, (tape volition prevent the template from slipping out of identify) and cutting the adjacent side. (Diagram 6) Go on turning and cutting until all sides have been cut. Advisedly remove template/tape from fabric.