I agree. I am so klutzy about cutting that I have even made the original blocks for the HSTs 1/2" to 3/4" bigger. It may seem like a waste, but for me it saved time because I was finding myself recutting blocks because the original ones ended up too small. Other than my goofups on measuring, I think it has a lot to do with allowing for the folding back of the seam. That is one reason some people like to sew what they call "scant 1/4" seams.