I feel your pain. I think I started to sew doll clothes in grade school I was making lined suits in 7th grade. I am also a senior citizen. I had take a break from quilting, but made a Disappearing 9 patch quilt on the 4th of July because it was too hot to go outside. My 1st block came out too small, so I had to adjust my seam allowance. Always measure that 1st block to check on your seam. Take a bread, but don't give up on sewing. I have not worked with triangles lately, but I think the triangles would have to be bigger than 1 1/2" to end up with squares. I don't remember the formula for half square triangles.