Choosing the Right Quilting Template

Quilting templates make it easier to create precise shapes, consistent pieces, and beautiful quilt designs. Whether you're cutting curved blocks, making appliqué shapes, or creating intricate patterns, the right template can save time while improving accuracy.

The challenge isn't deciding whether templates are useful—they certainly are. The challenge is choosing the right template for the project you're making.

In this guide, we'll walk through the different types of quilting templates and help you decide which ones deserve a place in your quilting toolkit.

What Is a Quilting Template?

A quilting template is a reusable guide that helps you accurately cut or trace fabric pieces.

Instead of measuring every shape individually, you simply align the template with your fabric and cut around it.

Templates help ensure:

Consistent fabric pieces
More accurate quilt blocks
Faster cutting
Better-fitting seams
Less measuring and marking

The result is a quilt that comes together more easily and looks more polished.

Start With Your Project

Before buying templates, ask yourself one simple question:

What am I making?

The best template depends entirely on your project.

For example:

Traditional Quilt Blocks

You'll likely benefit from:

Squares
Triangles
Half-square triangle templates
Flying geese templates

Curved Piecing

Look for templates designed for:

Drunkard's Path
Orange Peel
Clamshell
Curved blocks

These templates simplify cuts that are difficult to measure by hand.

Appliqué

Appliqué templates are available in countless designs, including:

Flowers
Leaves
Hearts
Animals
Holiday shapes
Alphabet letters

Reusable templates help every appliqué piece remain consistent throughout your project.

Decorative Shapes

Templates also make it easy to create:

Hexagons
Diamonds
Circles
Dresden Plates
Petals
Stars
Specialty geometric shapes

These templates open the door to more creative quilt designs.

Acrylic vs. Plastic Templates

Most quilting templates are made from either acrylic or flexible plastic.

Acrylic Templates

Best for:

Rotary cutting
Precision piecing
Frequent use
Long-term durability

Benefits include:

Excellent visibility
Rigid construction
Accurate cutting guides
Long-lasting performance

Flexible Plastic Templates

Often used for:

Tracing
Hand cutting
Appliqué
Specialty projects

These templates are lightweight and easy to store.

How Many Templates Do You Really Need?

One of the biggest mistakes new quilters make is buying dozens of templates before they know how they'll use them.

Instead:

Start with the templates that support the projects you enjoy making most.

As your quilting interests expand, your template collection will naturally grow with them.

Features to Look For

Quality templates often include helpful features that make quilting easier.

Look for:

Clear markings
Easy-to-read measurement lines
Durable construction
Smooth edges
Accurate sizing
Easy visibility over fabric

Templates should make quilting simpler—not more complicated.

Do Templates Replace Quilting Rulers?

No.

Templates and rulers work together.

Generally:

Rulers help with straight measuring and cutting.

Templates help create specific shapes that rulers cannot easily produce.

Most quilters use both throughout nearly every project.

Building Your Template Collection

A simple approach works best.

Start with templates you'll use often.

Then add specialty templates as you explore new techniques such as:

English Paper Piecing
Curved piecing
Foundation piecing
Dresden quilts
Hexagon quilts
Decorative appliqué

There's no need to own every template available.

Laura's Studio Tip 💜

I always recommend buying templates to match the projects you actually want to make—not the projects you might make someday. Every new template should solve a problem or open the door to a technique you're excited to try. Before long, you'll have a collection that's perfectly suited to your own quilting style.

The Bottom Line

The best quilting template is the one that fits your project.

Whether you're creating traditional blocks, curved piecing, appliqué, or decorative quilt designs, templates help improve accuracy while making quilting faster and more enjoyable.

Build your collection one project at a time, and you'll soon have a toolkit that grows naturally with your skills.