I think a pattern is great! Not really for simple blocks, but for blocks with many pieces it is wonderful. It allows you to get cutting and piecing without all the graphics, math and piecing order worked out ahead of time. For me, it is more relaxing and allows me to change the things up after seeing the finished quilt picture on the pattern. I suppose I am saying I am lazy and prefer to have all that done for me. Honesty is sometimes a freedom too. LOL!
There are patterns that require a 1/8th of an inch seam allowance that have many intersecting lines to the center of the small block. The pressing direction is important too. Those kind of things come with experience, true, but to have someone teach you these things requires either a great pattern, or a class taken at a shop. There is always room for learning a new way or a new technique. So, being a homebody quilter, I choose patterns.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 07-20-2020 at 09:23 AM.