Originally Posted by JUNEBUG
I am in desperate need of some help with measurements- the direction reads cut 4-7/8" square, put right sides together draw a diagonal line sew 1/4 on each side - cut diagonal line to make square block - 2 triangles each color-- I hand piece quilt tops and the 4-7/8" has the 1/4" allowance for machine piecing--what size do I make each square to then add the 1/4". This may really sound like a stupid question but I have problems with inches and feet and hope someone here can help.
You don't have to adjust any measurements. Probably the easiest thing to do is to cut the 4-7/8" squares, put right sides together, and then use a ruler to *cut* from one corner to the other. This will give you two pairs of triangles. You hand-sew 1/4" inch from the edge you just cut. That will give you two completed half-square triangles.
With the machine method described above, you sew before cutting. With the hand method above, you cut before sewing.
I don't think the method of making the pieces larger and then cutting them down will work for you since you are hand piecing. That method works well for machine piecing, though.