my "50 stars" patterns did not have a trimming line, so you had to trim 1/4" away from the line on the pattern. Though it was very clear in the directions the line was the STITCHING LINE.
The pattern I'm working on now has the stitching line and the 1/4" seam allowance marked, so this one I trim along the outer line. Much, much easier with it marked, but it also has curved lines and not straight edges so it would be very hard to trim 1/4" away without the lines.