I agree with you about the 1/2 extra, it confuses me. I have one that has it on the very beginning and hate it. I am always cutting say 3' and end up with 3 1/2 because I forget so there is another half inch I have wasted. Sometimes this doesn't make a difference but when you are down to X amount of fabric, there is no more anywhere and you can't afford a mistake, well need I say more?
Lets see in my long list of buying gadgets, what have I bought or gotten that I never use or hate... My hubby bought me for my birthday one yr a hoop on a stand. Now I know that sounds great and some of you may use them. But I don't hand quilt so much yet, have used it on one quilt and found it to be very ackward. Even taking it off the stand its hard you can't reach from end to end, and its too long that way to hold comfortably. So I never use it.
Rita