Again - my point is/was - the "perfect" 1/4 inch seam is only part of the process of attaining the expected/required size of a unit or piece.
For some things, the "finished size" really does not matter. For others, the whole thing goes together better when the pieces/units line up properly.
This post was/is meant to be a reminder that if things are not ending up the size you expect/want/need - there are other things to check in addition to seam allowance width. Adjustments can be made in several places - cut size, thread weight, did an unwashed piece shrink while it was being pressed?
The reasons I am aware of these things is because I have overlooked them or messed up somewhere along the line.
Intersections that don't match drive me up a wall. I just worked on a piece that I started years ago - and I fiddled and faddled with a couple of intersections on that top - and they still aren't right - but after about three tries, I have decided I can live with it. The worst part of it is - I still don't know "why" they aren't lining up properly. I've checked the size of the pieces, checked the seam allowance width -
So - out of 25 blocks, I have three or four intersections that are "off" - I am not happy about it - but this is a piece that is going to go into the "finished is better than perfect" pile.