jitkaau

Don't try to cut around paper templates or thin templates with a rotary cutter. If you don't lose a finger, you will shear the edges off your templates so that they are not accurate any more. Best thing to do is to place a rotary cutting rule over the top of your template, along the edge and cut accordingly if you haven't got an acrylic template to cut around. All the best with your projects.

raptureready

Watch a Marti Michelle video or take some classes. She uses templates with engineered corners and the pieces fit together beautifully. I've been taking some classes and there's a learning curve to it but once you get the hang of it, they're wonderful! What it basically consists of is that you lay your template on the edge of your fabric then lay a long ruler next to it. Move the template up and down your fabric a couple of times until you're sure that the long ruler is straight and the width you want. Remove the template and cut. Then use the template on the strip of fabric that you just cut.

karenpatrick

There is a clean film that you can buy to put on the back of all your rulers and templates. it would really well. I have also bought the little sandpaper dots that stick on the back of them. They both work really well.

Mkotch

In a pinch, I have used clear nail polish on the back of the template. Allow to dry very well, then use to cut.

catmcclure

When I'm cutting small templates I tape them onto the fabric. I use the wide mailing tape. You trim around the template so the tape only makes it marginally thicker with each use. The tape will easily peel off the leftover fabric pieces.

When I'm cutting small templates from small leftover pieces I take the templates AND the fabric to the cutting board. That way the shapes I cut are all exact. Tape peels off the cutting board easily.

lklos303

I have also used double faced tape. Helps a lot. Lois

happymrs

I must be different, I just cut mine with my rotary cutter, & have never had a problem. My advice, try different suggestions, then do what works for you!...

FroggyinTexas

I love Dresden plate--am almost addicted to it--I ordered Darlene Zimmerman's easy Dresden template from Missouri Star Quilt Co and it is wonderful. Don't give up on quilting before you have tried this. Also, there is a tutorial on You Tube showing exactly how to use this template. froggyintexas

nativetexan

when i use my Drunkard Path acrylic templates, i tend to draw around them. as close to each other as possible to save fabric. then cut the fabric pieces.
if using an acrylic template with straight edges, you can cut your fabric with your rotary cutter. if using a thin template made out of plastic, i would lay a ruler on the edge of it and then cut.

Holice

if your template isn't too thick and curves not too deep you can use the smaller rotarery cutters - at least the 28mm one . So it depends on the equipment you have and how they react and work with each other.