Okay, folks, we need help with this. My sewing group makes a quilt every year to donate to the place where we use the conference room. They raffle it off.
We all make 3-6 blocks and we combine it for a quilt. We said this year to make 12 1/2" blocks. In going thru the books and internet, I've made 3 blocks I can't use!!!! Others are having this problem, too! The instructions will say it's a 12" FINISHED block. To us, a FINISHED block is the block as it is in the FINISHED quilt. So, before putting it in the quilt, it should be 12 1/2". BUT we're ending up with 12" blocks that will be 11 1/2" when in the quilt.
What, in your opinion do they mean by FINISHED --- when IN the quilt, or BEFORE it's added to the quilt.
Oh, this is to get your opinion --- I solved MY problem by making 8" blocks and adding a mini sashing to make the block 12 1/2"