Originally Posted by LyndaOH

If you prefer cutting first and then sewing, I'd suggest the Easy Angle Ruler: http://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Angle.../dp/B005KC3L4U

You can find it just about anywhere and it's really helpful. Using the ruler, you won't need to add 7/8" to get the proper finished size. It's designed to cut triangles from strips. If you have 2 1/2" strips, you'll be able to get 2 inch finished triangles. One end of the triangle is blunt when you cut them, and you'll be able to feed that end into your sewing machine using your 1/4" foot. It avoids having to start sewing on a point.

Here's a video on this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKrTj-d5ryI