I have had good luck making four 6 1/2 inch hsts from a 9 1/2 square (got tutorial from QB here) -- the secret seems to be accurate cutting of squares, using starch and pressing, accurate sewing of 1/4 inch seams, accurate cutting of diagonals, and then pressing the seams -- mine have come out fairly well -- I made a carpenter's wheel and a flyfoot in large blocks and was pleased with the results -- I wanted something easy and liked the idea of 4 hsts from one square -- good luck!!