Originally Posted by Iceblossom

The quest for the perfect seam is what ultimately led me to my current style of cutting/sewing large and trimming down to size.

I did very well when I started by being extremely precise and picky but it was time consuming and tension creating. I ended up always double checking my units and trimming threads/hairs here and there and then I just decided, well if I'm going to do this step anyway, I'm going to do it with enough fabric to actually cut instead of threads. So after a couple decades of being obsessive, I've started loosening up a tiny bit (I am still far from an improvisational quilter) and find that for me my finishes are actually more exact now, it is faster for me, and is more fun to not have to worry all the time.

What I've found is since I'm typically using strip piecing techniques that I don't waste much fabric at all by cutting large, that 1/4" or so extra per piece is the 2" left at the end of the strip. I don't think I've ever had to cut more than one extra row of pieces to make up for my work style.

Sure there are things I have to be aware of. Not everything cuts large and trims down so well, sometimes you have to be very exact with one piece so you can be a bit free-er with the piece you attach (I use this idea for flying geese). I still maintain our seam allowances is one of the most important parts to our success -- but I've found a bit of a way around it!