Warm Wishes strip size help please!
 

I am making yet another warm wishes, so you'd think I'd be a pro at it by now. HOWEVER.....after searching and searching for the perfect pieces to create my newest baby WW, I have run into a bit of a problem. The pattern I use is the same free one from quiltmaker or project linus you can get. I don't have the link right now, but if you google warm wishes free pattern it's a free download from quiltmaker.

Anywho...back to my problem. I have the perfect 3 coordinating prints that will make all the cute parts of the focus fabric pop out. After searching for weeks to find just the perfect safari prints with small enough prints that I wouldn't be decapitating all the cute animals I realized when measuring that a 6 inch square is still going to be cutting every thing off.

So I have 2 choices... cut out all the 6 in squares, but fussy cut them so they are all perfect...which I don't really want to do, or cut strips at 6.5 inches instead of 6. If I do that, the prints seem to align a bit better. But if I cut all my focus blocks at 6.5 inches, I have to increase the strips size somehow to equate the 1/2 bigger amount.....

This is the hard part. All the math. SO, the 2 outside strips are supposed to be 2 inches and the inside one 3. Will it still look good to leave the outside 2 strips at 2 inches and increase the middle strip to 3.5 inches or do you think I should increase the smaller strips to 2.25 inches and leave the 3 inch piece alone?

I don't want to take away from the cuteness of this pattern. Where do you think I should add the 1/2 inch?

I hate math. I tried to draw it out on my graph paper, but it's not really making any sense to me.

I think I'd increase the two narrower strips. It actually only adds 1/4 inch to each one and it would not be as noticible as increasing the already wider strip by 1/2 inch. And remember that your top is now going to be wider and longer too.

I agree with GingerK. Increase the smaller strips & leave the wide one the same.

Agree with above. I usually make the three strips equal, anyway, so you should be fine. There are no hard and fast rules with that pattern, it always turns out good. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt!

I got misplaced in your narrative:

What size are you going to CUT your focus fabric squares/blocks? You can cut them any size you want to, you know - and adjust the strips accordingly.

Example: You cut the focus fabric into 7 inch squares because that's where it cuts up 'best'

Your strips could be any three numbers that add up to 8 - one loses an inch to the 1/4 inch seams

3, 2, 3
2 ,4, 2
2.75, 2.5, 2.75

I can certainly add 1/4 in to the smaller strips. I have to mark that on my ruler with a postit or I'll forget. The focus fabric pieces will be cut at 6 1/2 inches. I've already measured out and figured out how many strips sets I need to get enough blocks for a 50 inch or so square quilt. I know it'll make the quilt wider and longer. Less having to worry about a big border. It's going to be really cute.

You could cut the strips to any combination that adds up to 7-1/2 inches to go with a 6-1/2 inch 'block'

2-1/2, 2-1/2, 2-1/2
2-3/4, 2, 2-3/4
1-1/4, 5, 1-1/4
3, 1-1/2, 3
2-1/4, 3, 2-1/4

Sometimes uneven strips make it more visually interesting
Even strips require less 'thinking'

Here is a link for quickie baby quilts. http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/details.html?idx=184

Uuuuh Weee, that's too much math for me right now, making me plum dizzy!