If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a quilting pattern and a template, here's a little secret. There's not a heck of a lot of difference except that a template is cut from stiff material and a pattern is printed on paper. Both are usable when it comes to quilting, but a template can make your work easier by giving you a somewhat consistent surface to trace around, rather than pinning flimsy paper to your fabrics. If you plan on making multiple blocks from your patterns or templates, keep in mind that flimsy paper will disintegrate faster than warm cookies in a room full of children.