Introduction: Quilting Templates in Metric
In world of competetive sport we see everything from big muscles over fast motorbikes to weird things like throwing a power pole as far you can.
What I did not know was that even or grannies are competing.
When I saw a bunch of old ladies quilting for their life while claiming they are just having fun I though I have seen it all...
After watching them for a while I noticed strange rulers, see through rulers in the form of big squares with tons of line and even some carboard templates.
"Why are you doing it so complicated with the fabric marking?"
Well, I should not have asked that...
Suddenly these nice grannies exploded and told me that it is basically impossible to get any decent templates in Australia....
Then I mentioned that I could just print them some...
Lets just say that explaining how to print a template took forever.
But they got hooked and let me know what they would like in a template.
The result of several weeks of these talks and testing is what you get here now :)
Here is a little video of me testing the square templates.
First the outside dimensions, then marking the seam.
Works the same for the other shapes.
Will try to get some pics and videos of the athletes while competing with them ;)
Step 1: How to Print Them...
I designed the templates in Sketchup and aimed for metric outside dimensions.
To keep it organised I used little flps and groves that hold the single pieces together.
There is no need for support or a raft.
Only if your printer is not well calibrated you will get some binding on the first layer.
This can be cut easy with a thin blade from the top.
Please keep in mind that the flaps are located in the center, so please don't cut through them.
In most cases they pieces should come apart like taking a print off a raft.
I used ABS at 0.15mm layer height and with 2 perimeters, 4 top and 4 bottom layers.
Step 2: Additional Infos
In the first version I used straight edges but rounded inside corners.
This was to make the seperation after the print easier and because I thought at just 3mm of height it would not matter.
Man, let me tell you that even the nicest old lady is no longer happy if your template ats up her fabric marking chaulk!
And rounded corners make it hard to mark it properly - did you know that for a 1mm rounded edge? LOL
In the second round I added a slight tamper on the top and all seemed fine.
"Hey, would it be possible to keep them together somehow?"
Turned out that having indiviual pieces makes a big mess in grannies sewing box...
So with the last iteration I added small flaps and groves to keep the piece together and a small knob in the center to pick them up.
Like this you select what ever size you need as a seperate piece or keep it in with the smaller ones and knob.
Now all grannies are happy as they can use them both ways and their precious chaulk no longer suffers on the sharp edges.
As a side note:
My sister never used a needle in her life.
After playing with the templates and talkting to the old ladies she now has her finger tips in pain and full of holes.
Also about 30m of fabric rolls.
She got hooked and now only complains that she need more fabric and better band aids LOL
Step 3: Download
You can find all the files in my dashboard on Thingiverse.