Beebee

Why do designers give measurements such as 3 7/8..can I cut 4" blocks instead..what difference would that make?
When I get a pattern like this,I want to throw it across the room!!

EasyPeezy

Wait till you get a pattern with 1/16". LOL

If you are making Half Square Triangles you can cut 4" then sew your
HST's, press and trim to 3 1/2". If you don't like trimming then stick with 3 7/8".
I prefer to cut bigger (where possible) and then trim.

Tartan

Some patterns really need the 7/8 for cutting but others you can square down from larger cuts. It usually happens when the unit is sewn and then sub cut and you need the 7/8 to end up with 1/4 seam allowance on both units.

MadQuilter

If you cut to 7/8" and you are a perfect sewer/presser, it is possible to end up with the correct size HST. However, many of us are not perfect and we prefer the option of cutting the starting square oversized and trimming it down.

Onebyone

I have a 7/8 ruler. All the markings are in 7/8. Super easy to cut those 7/8 sizes. Really though I don't see a difference in cutting fractions then cutting whole or half measures. It's just a different line on the ruler.

jokir44

I've just finished piecing one with lots of 7/8' because of HST. One piece was given as a template because the measurement would have been 1 3/16'. I measured it and cut with a ruler instead.

Peckish

This is pretty much how I see it.....

quiltingshorttimer

with HST you certainly cut to 4" and then trim down. But if it's on other block units it might effect the pattern, like with points getting cut off. It really is just another line on the ruler.

QuiltnNan

i prefer cutting the next whole inch and trimming later also, for HSTs

Charleen DiSante

Have we understood the question in responding about hsts? If not, maybe a picture would help.