First, I make all my HSTs necessary, all cut a fraction larger than they need to be...then i press and trim all of them. Then I set all pcs tog, including the HSTs, now I square up all the blocks, and lastly, i measure the quilt in 3 places, use the middle measurement to go by for borders and then square that up...it is totally worth it, and if you have ever tried to quilt a quilt with ripples and bumps and gathers everywhere, you will know why.

Try to trim as accurately as possible. That being said, it will make a bigger difference if you're not as accurate on 3.5" blocks than it will with 13" blocks. Bigger blocks, fewer seams. A few threads off on many seams across the quilt adds up.

I agree with most of you - I trim as close as I can, every block. I've made a large quilt out of 6" blocks, didn't trim them all and I paid for it. I think I used up one whole seam ripper on that quilt alone! The little bits do add up.

I trim them to size. I've never had a quilt that turned out uneven.

I try to be as accurate as I can. I found it can make a big difference when sewing squares together. I put too much work into my hand piecing to NOT do all I can to make sure everything lines up right.

I'll take accuracy over saving time

I like to press, starch and trim to size. It makes the rest go so easily and I don't have to "nip 'n tuck" later on. I love patterns that account for shrinkage and trimming down to final block size. It's so considerate of them to think of those things.

~ Cindy

Most blocks are made up of small blocks so trimming as you go makes a big difference. Thats what I like about Quilt in a Day patterns they tell you what size to trim each section of a block.
I never trim off points even if the block is not right, better to take a chance than cut off points.

I agree with this. It is especially critical when you are participating in a block swap.

The only things I trim are half square triangles. I can never get them the perfect size unless I trim.