when I made mine the tops were only 1/2 inch larger, you tend to want to stuff it to fill it out, it's looks cute but it's a bugger to sew together! I put mine together 4 at a time, sew 3 sides, stuff and hand baste, then I sewed them into 12 or 16 patches, once I had enough made I sewed the whole top together. when the top was done I put a back on it and tied with embroidery thread and bound like a regular quilt. good luck.