Folded Star Stencil

Expensive but fun to make!

It is easy to read and glad I got it for potholders.

Have made folded star pot holders without this, but this template really made it faster, easier and more accurate.

This tool is very useful for quickly and precisely marking the base fabric on which you place the folded pieces. It isn't meant to be used for rotary cutting, however; and really isn't needed for that purpose as long as you own a squaring ruler. I made my first few Amish / Folded Stars without this template, and they turned out beautiful. Plus, I prefer a slightly larger hot pad and make mine with an extra row, which is easily accomplished by adding extra placement lines around the outside edge. I use 5 fat quarters when making the larger hot pad and can get my binding out of that as well.I cut my base fabric 11 inches square and usually just use muslin. The base fabric is incidental because it doesn't show. I also found that I prefer not to iron in the folds on each of the pieces before stitching. I just finger press them as I'm adding to the base fabric. I stitch each piece onto the base fabric with a 1/4" seam along the base, and it goes really fast. The Folded Star method suggests pre-pressing all the folds into the pieces and using a glue stick to hold them onto the base fabric, then stitch them down. I haven't done that method, so I can't address which I like better.I would encourage anyone new to making one of these to watch a few of the excellent YouTube videos out there to visualize the technique. This is a really fun project and makes a very nice gift to give as a set of two with a matching oven mitt or casserole carrier. I definitely recommend making these just because they're so much fun and so pretty to look at!

That you have to buy the pattern or directions separately.

No instructions for use of the product.

It was as advertised

Not what was written up in description. Will work with it and hope that the description of the product now clearly states that it is interfacing and not a plastic template.