Will add 1 more thing.....remember if you start with 12 1/2" (example) add a 4 1/2" border, you are putting 4 1/2" on EACH side and the top and bottom = 8. Think of it as 12 plus 8 forget about the 1/2" that's the seam allowances when you are figuring your dimensions, you just have to add that on when you cut your fabric because that's what you are sewing. Hope I haven't screwed you all up...same thing every pattern says.."be sure to add your seam allowances". All the measurements I give you are with that allowance already added.