Depends on the sampler. I have made one that was all the same fabrics throughout and all 12 finished blocks done in a standard setting with sashing, no cornerstones. Then I made one out of batik block swap blocks, all different fabrics. The swap blocks were all 12" but I mixed in 6" blocks and 6 x 12 blocks, no sashing, no borders. I have a FWS on my bucket list and I plan on making it scrappy but using all civil war repros. So I guess I have no preferences when it comes to samplers except that I really like most that I see.