I guess I am a 'red-neck' quilter for I take a big piece of paper (paper grocery sack opened if you don't store rolled paper/or old wrapping paper's backside-where the squares to cut from are a blessing!!) and I draw out w/a ruler my 12"...then divide the paper in 1/3rds going across and down (horizontal/diag. for those that need technical)LOL then draw out that pattern. Very easy and quick and depending on the pattern....I can cut one direction of the 1/3rds and paper piece by row..then attach the 3 rows in the end. Just keep your lines even and all will be fine:)I add my seam allances when I cut at the paper piecing finishing:)Hope that helps 'simplify' the think...Skeat