That's a good question - to open up the seams. I also agree that I haven't found fabric that valuable, unless I need just a smiggin on one side to make the block piece big enough. But my question on this same line, does anyone have a pattern or photo of using up plaid from mens shirts? I remember a fish block, but nothing else is coming to my mind. I have a stack of shirts from my son, in mostly blue plaids. He needs a quilt (and a wife, if anyone wants to donate one). Sara