Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Folding Templates (free download)!



I've gotten so much great feedback on the printable folding templates that I include with most of my e-patterns. They are just little cardstock guides, but they are really great for making accurate folds. I've gotten to the point where I use them with almost every project, and if I don't have one that has the fold I need, I'll draw an extra line (or I'll try to eyeball it, which I'm not so good at - ack).

Anyway, I thought it would be nice to have some universal folding templates with multiple lines. I've put together a pdf "e-booklet" that you can download here. It includes a straight template and a curved template, each marked with multiple lines at 0.25" increments. The instructions are included with the file, but I will go ahead and post them here as well:

Folding Templates
Templates are great tools for making accurate folds. Print the templates on regular cardstock and cut them out along the dashed lines. Important note: The folding template is designed to be printed at 100%. Before printing, make sure that page scaling is set to none in Adobe Acrobat print window. To be sure the template printed at the correct size, measure the box. It should measure exactly 1 inch by 1 inch.

For a straight fold, place the numbered edge of the Straight Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded (a). Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template (b). Press, working the edge down to the line (c).

Slide the template over to one end of the fabric piece and press (d).
Repeat at the other end (e). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (f).




The procedure for using the Curved Folding Template is very similar to that of the Straight Folding Template.

For a convex (hill-shaped) fold, place the convex edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed (b). Note: for wider folds, small pleats may be worked into the edges to accommodate any excess width at the edges. Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).



For a concave (valley-shaped) fold, place the concave edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed. Note: for wider folds, snips may be made to allow the edges spread out (b). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).



Here is the download link again: Folding Templates - Happy Folding!!!

81 comments:

  1. Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wonder how I ever lived with out these! It's why I first fell in love with you....er, your designs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. folding templates are my fave. I knew you were a genious the first time I used them! Thanks Carla. the universal template is just PERFECT!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are wonderful! Thanks for sharing them with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is awesome Carla! Thanks! Is there a template that will fold all of my laundry too?

    ReplyDelete
  6. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't wait to download this a get it printed! What a great idea! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks so much Carla - I just love these templates!

    ReplyDelete
  9. YAY for free stuff!! You know I love me a free pdf LOL. And since I'm crap at folding this is AWESOME. If I need to hem something I usually just adjust the cutting so I can change to fold to match one of you're guides from a pattern LOL. Now I don't have to!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much! This is a wonderful help!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a great idea! Thank you so much - I know I will use this over and over!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you x infinity!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Simply amazing!!! So simple yet so useful and effective! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!! (from Spain)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whoa... I think you just rocked my world. This is fabulous! I would love to link to your templates if you didn't mind.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very interesting...October 01, 2009
    http://twowildflowers.typepad.com/two_wildflowers/2009/10/kathys-easy-peesy-iron-up-hem-guide.html

    ReplyDelete
  16. This looks really useful. Thanks for sharing. Though having problems with the download. Will try when I'm on my home PC.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a really simple but super idea. It's one of those ideas that makes you think "why didn't I think of that - duh". Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  18. GENIUS! Thanks so much! I'm here via Crap I've Made and am a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This might be the most brilliant sewing tool I've seen!! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Miss Carla--the folding templates are wonderful. When I first made the Molly dress, I was like, "Folding template? Bah! I've been folding for years without a template!"

    Five minutes into working on the bodice pressing, I was printing out the template! I learned my lesson!

    Thanks for sharing your wonderfulness with us!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm always using these now when I'm sewing they are brilliant! So much in fact that when I take photos of doing seams I always comment on where I got these from.

    Many thanks for making life easier.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've always used a hem gauge but this might work better. I'll give it a try. thanks, Kitty

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a fabulous idea and THANKS SO MUCH for sharing it with us!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Can't thank you enough for making this available! You're the best :D

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you so much, it works like a charm. I am from the Netherlands and everyting is in cm and with this inch template I don't have to calculate anymore and I also use it to set my sewingmachine in the right position for the seam allowance.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you for sharing! Sometimes it's the simplest of things that make life easier!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Just found this post through pintrest! Awesome thanks for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is awesome! I have the metal one and stopped using it because I kept burning my hands on it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is great! I have an older metal one that I use (and love), but the sheer portability and ease of the paper template=awesome.

    <3!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for these! What a great tool!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I wish I would have had this a couple of hours ago...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I wish I would have had this a couple of hours ago.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you for sharing, these look like they took alot of time to create.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you!!!!! I've made my own templates before but I have them all separate. I never thought of making one master, and now I don't have to!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have no cardstock, but need this desperately! My solution? I printed on regular paper and glued it to a file folder and trimmed.
    Thanks so much for being so generous!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I never would have thought of this - it makes the task SO much easier! Thanks a bunch for the free download!

    ReplyDelete
  37. i am wondering what kind of things you all are using folding for.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks for the free template. Now I can throw away my metal Dritz EZY-hem ruler that burned my fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is such a great idea! I am having trouble downloading it though? I tried on two computers, and it does nothing.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow! Thanks! I have a folding template from ages ago that I drew myself on cardstock. It's nice to have one I can print out and looks nicer!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fantastic! Where has this been all my life?! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Awesome! Can't wait to try this! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks so much this will come in handy!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Hahaha, I use a piece of graph paper the same way!

    PS OpeID doesn't work for non-blogger users on your blog. Can you install disqus or something similar so we can comment easily (without having to put in all our details/ sign up for Google) please?

    ReplyDelete
  45. I found this on pinterest and now use it all the time! Thank you so much! This beginner sewer really appreciates it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Many thanks ! I try it yesterday and it works wonderfully.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love this idea!! Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh my gosh. This is wonderful. I have linked to you on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow awesome!They're beautiful. You do such a great job. I love your work style keep it up..

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you for sharing! Genius!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I just found this on Pinterest thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I was making curtains last night and remembered that I had added this to my Pinterest list. YEAH!!! It was just what I needed. Thanks for the great template!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Pure Genius! I just shared this as my Sewing tip of the week.

    http://sugartartcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/02/tip-of-week-folding-template.html#

    ReplyDelete
  54. Thanks for this I tried to make one my self but it didn't work.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Many thanks for sharing.
    Warmest greetings from Germany,
    Nora :-))

    ReplyDelete
  56. Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Amazing trick! Thanks for sharing!

    My post-doc studies were on molecular biology and biochemistry so I am thrilled to have found your blog!

    Here is mine
    akamatras.blogspot.com

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  58. thank you! thank you! thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Thank you so much for these! I have been using them for years and just posted you to my Sew Essential series as Tip #1! (http://threadridinghood.com/wordpress/sew-essential-tips-tricks-and-notions-1-fold-like-a-pro-a-giveaway/) ~Sherri (sherri@threadridinghood.com)

    ReplyDelete
  60. You are so generous, and, clever! I cannot say thank you enough.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow! This should make my life so much easier, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  62. This is so simple, like all great ideas! Many thanks.....

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thanks so much for the printables! I love this. It will help me so much!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I bought a metal one of these on a trip to America a few years ago and I really love it. It's not something that you can easily find here in the UK so I point all of my students in your direction so that they can print out their own. Thanks, they all appreciate it :-)

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am a science teacher who also sews. thank you these were well thought out

    ReplyDelete
  66. This is the best thing ever. I am sitting here kicking myself in the butt wondering why I didn't just think of this. Good thing one of us was on it! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Thank you so much for the straight and curved pressing templates as well as that darling periodic chart. Very good to have and so clever.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Thank you for these templates. They will be very useful.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thank you for posting these folding charts. Printed them on card stock . going to try them out today on my cafe curtains. So clever. Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  70. Thank you so much for sharing these templates. I have just downloaded them and I am sure they are going to prove very useful! I could have used something like this for years! So clever, and yet so simple.

    Shoshi

    ReplyDelete
  71. This looks pretty cool! Plus it can serve as a nice fan in a pinch. W Carrier

    ReplyDelete