Is there a way to save ship designs within the same new game you just started?

I'll explain what I mean. This is my problem:

I start a new game, I make some bare bones (no engines, weapons, etc., starting hulls) template designs part way through. I screwed up, or I'd like to redo something, so I go back to an old save from the same game. I find that none of my "template" designs are to be found even though it's the same race same game, just earlier before I created the design. However, since it's a template with no functional parts shouldn't the design save for the race permanently?? It's just kind of annoying that I can't use those designs till I start up a new game or If I don't backtrack at all in a current game. I sometimes spend hours just on designing ships, it's like a whole other fun game.

Any way around this?

I start up a brand new game with the same race and all the designs are there thankfully.