This is an interesting topic and I am enjoying reading the posts. However, I think some of the ladies are being too hard on themselves. I have a Janome 1/4" foot. I have found that having made several blocks or squares finishing exactly the right size, for no apparent reason, using the same measuring, cutting, sewing and careful pressing, of a different combination of fabrics, blocks will end up anything 1/4" to 1/2" short of what it should be. I am conviinced this is due to a variation in the thickness of some fabrics, so that even the most accurate 1/4" seam will reduce the size of the finished block. I usually have fabrics from different manufacturers and always pre-wash and sometimes the difference in texture is quite noticeable. Does anyone else have an opinion on this?