i just tried this-- works great. good thing i used scrap fabric since i forgot to add the seam allowance--oops! but it will be wonderful for a scrappy i want to make, and now, hurrah, i have 8hst's made! woohoo!! seriously, with the right numbers this method is painless! how does it affect your yardage? it seems you are taking large squares instead of strips, so do you end up using more actual length of fabric? math was never my strong point, but i was great at recess and lunch. 8-)