Originally Posted by QuiltnNan
makes it faster, but looks like a lot of waste
It doesn't have to be you can cut your pieces so they are closer to the size you need for your template.
I am all about what's easier and I tend to just cut off a piece as long as it is larger than I need. I don't worry about scraps because I am a miniaturist. And for beginners the size is one less thing to worry about when you are just learning.
But for those who prefer not to be so haphazard just cut your fabric pieces just larger than 1/4th of the template of the top two and just a bit larger than half of the template for the bottom.