you know, that's my fault and i'm sorry. i was thinking 4.5 finished, but the strip is 4.5 and finishes to 4.0. then the 3" strips finish to 2.5 each. so your finished block is only 9". and your block before connecting them together is 9.5. you will still be alright on your quilt by the borders you put on it. if you make 4 blocks x 5 blocks, that makes 36x45. depending on what borders you put on, that will still make your quilt big enough for your 7yo. :oops: