How to Make Quilt Templates

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Wow... That pattern in the magazine is so beautiful that you just must have it for your very own! But now comes the problem—how to transfer that pattern to cloth and get the same shape cutout each time? The answer is by using templates. Move down to Step 1 to sample some methods quilters use to transfer patterns to cloth.

Steps

1
Transfer the pattern onto paper first. If you don't want to mangle your magazine getting the pattern out of it, then make a photocopy or trace it onto paper.
2
Cut out the paper pattern. It's a bit flimsy, and won't hold up to multiple tracings, so quilters will use a variety of methods to get around the problem.

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3
Make a lot of photocopies of each pattern shape and cut them all out. When one wears out, just pick up a replacement from the pile.
4
Fabricate cardboard templates. Cut out the paper pattern, trace the paper pattern onto some pressed cardboard, then cut longer-lasting patterns out of the cardboard. Cereal boxes work well for this.—They are often the perfect weight to cut easily yet be durable. Also, the price is right.
5
Use thin sheets of plastic. The plastic might be cutting mats from the kitchen section of your local department store or, perhaps, the lid of a plastic container, say, a whipped topping container lid. Trace your pattern onto the plastic and carefully cut it out and... Voila! You have a sturdy, reusable template!
6
Create foundation piecing by photocopying your entire block pattern onto thin paper. Grease proof paper works well for this.
7
Bring together a variety of material. Use the paper templates to cut out cloth patterns from from the material, then stitch the material together carefully.

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