Stencils
Quilters are forever searching out new ways to incorporate unique patterns and designs. One of the ways is to use quilting stencils. There is such a wide variety of stencil patterns to choose from, you are sure to find the exact one that fit with your theme, with your project, or even your home décor.
Using stencils will save both time and money and will ensure that your pieces will be equal and consistent.
Quilting stencils are somewhat different than a standard painting stencil would be. Quilting stencils have little holes in them and are used to show where you are to place the stitches. This ensures that your pattern remains consistent each and every time you use it. It would not be a good thing if some of your flowers, or whatever design you are making, were larger than the others.
Once you’ve placed your quilting stencil on the fabric, next you will need to mark the fabric. Whatever tool used to mark the quilting stencils is up to the individual quilter and probably will depend on the type of fabric being used. Chalk, fabric markers, or even soap work well for marking. Each of these will wash out of the fabric.
Templates:
A quilting template is a pre-made design that quilt makers can use to cut their fabric. It is generally made from a sturdy material such as acrylic, and allows quilters to cut many blocks of fabric at once, or one piece of fabric per design.
A quilting template improves consistency and has become more and more popular as a preferred quilting tool. Quilters can actually trace the design from the template onto their fabric, using a specially designed fabric pen, and then cut the design out of their fabric with quilting scissors.
When using templates ensure you have a seam allowance as some templates don’t make allowance for this, it actually depends on whether or not you are hand piecing or employing a machine. Also if you’re a piecing by hand don’t include the seam allowances.
Trace round the template on the incorrect side of the material and leave an 1/4 in. seam allowance. When cutting use the pencil line as a tenet, the cutting doesn’t have to be correct. When you’re stitching, stitch on the line. If employing a machine you must include the 1/4in. seam allowance and this should be actual.
