If you cut nine squares that are 3.5 inches square and sew them together with 0.25 inch seams - that should end up being a 9.5 inch unit. This unit would 'finish' to 9 inches.
If you cut nine squares that are 4.0 inches square and sew them together with 0.25 inch seams, that should end up being an 11.0 inch unit. This unit would 'finish' to 10.5 inches.
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Making a 10 inch 'finished size' block using equal sized squares (assuming 1/4 inch seams) for the 9-patch would use squares that were 3-2/3 inches square. (3.67 inches) Most rulers using inches don't have 1/3s marked on them.
A nine patch is usually thought of as having the same size squares in it - but they don't have to be the same size.
There was one author that suggested making the units with the small pieces first, and then cutting the bigger pieces to match/fit.
Last edited by bearisgray; 09-30-2012 at 07:28 AM.