Paper piecing trim?
 

When it says to trim the square I'm guessing it means to trim 1/4" away from the "frame" of the design.

Can someone please clarify if I'm on the right track to finish off these squares I've done.

Thanks much!
Ginger

Usually the outside line on the paper is your cutting line - not 1/4 away. Does the pattern not indicate?? Perhaps some small print somewhere? Sometimes I need to read patterns multiple times to pick up little details.

Often, there are 2 lines around the perimeter of the block. In that case you cut on the outermost line and the inner line is the seam line. If there's only 1 line, I would assume that's the seam line, so you would need to add the 1/4" before you trim, but don't know for sure. Does the pattern give the block size?

Can you email the designer or check their website?

my "50 stars" patterns did not have a trimming line, so you had to trim 1/4" away from the line on the pattern. Though it was very clear in the directions the line was the STITCHING LINE.

The pattern I'm working on now has the stitching line and the 1/4" seam allowance marked, so this one I trim along the outer line. Much, much easier with it marked, but it also has curved lines and not straight edges so it would be very hard to trim 1/4" away without the lines.

Thanks ladies! I went back and checked the directions again. I did find it! There are no trimming lines. It had me cut the pattern 1/2" wider all the way around the block when I was piecing. Once pieced I trimmed it to 1/4".

All these rules I'm learning!!

For templates, especially freezer paper, etc. I cut the template the finished size and cut the fabric 1/4" bigger all around. If it has an already marked SA, I cut that off. I find that when I put the FP template on the back of the pieces I can then sew right at the template edge.

Another "to each his own" method!