50
CHAPTER PREPARING AND CUTTING FABRIC
Create and Use Templates
A template is a pattern made from freezer paper or template plastic. They are used in appliqué and
hand piecing to mark and cut appliqué shapes and block units. You can also use templates to copy
patterns out of a magazine without cutting the pages, or to audition a fabric for fussy cutting.
Trace and mark the template.
Lay the template plastic or freezer paper (shiny side down)
over the pattern and trace the template with a fine-tipped
permanent marker. For hand piecing or appliqué templates,
trace only the finished shape. Trace both the unfinished/
finished shape for fussy cut templates. Write the name or
number of the pattern, quilt name, and grain line markings
on the template. Mark the seam allowance on fussy cut
templates.
1
Mark the fabric using the template.
Using your paper scissors, cut out the templates and store
them together. If the template is made of freezer paper, iron
it (shiny side down) on the fabric. Lay the fabric on a sand-
paper board (right-side down for hand piecing or machine
appliqué, right-side up for hand appliqué), and use a fabric
marking pencil or pen to trace around the template.
2
Cut out the fabric piece.
For hand piecing, mark a
1
⁄
4
-inch (.6 cm) seam allowance
around the traced shape, and then cut out it out. Cut out
appliqué pieces without marking the seam allowance, leav-
ing roughly a
3
⁄
16
-inch (.5 cm) seam allowance as you cut.
3
Seam
allowance
Dresden
Plate
Sampler
Quilt
Dresden
Plate
Sampler
Quilt
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