Block question
 

I am taking a class now and according to the directions in the book, it says the finished block is 10 3/4, but the instructor then told us that we had to trim the block down to 11 1/4. Have I been doing it wrong all along, I always thought the size of the finished block meant it was the size before they were sewn together

The 11 1/4 is the size of the block before it is sewn into the quilt. The 10 3/4 is the size of the block when the quilt is finished.

A block is not finished until it's sewn into a quilt top.

Finished block means the size when attached to the quilt, so if you take any finished quilt and measure a block on it, that is what is considered the finished size.

All you need to do is add 1/2 in to the measurement to get the unfinished size.

Hugs! or you can do like I do, and just wing it :p the size on the patterns is always an "aim for" to me....most times I am 1/8-1/2 in shorter. :p No worries though, just add sashing or bigger borders and all comes out. Unlike clothing, which is why I quilt and dont make clothes.

I'm waiting for the wise postings....I'm confused too.

I always thought the finished size was after it was sewn together :)

she is right. when it's sewn into the quilt you then have the "finished" size.

The finished size is when it's finished. All sewn into the quilt. I'm not sure if there is a specific term for when your patchwork block is all sewn together , but not joined into the top.

Most all patterns give the finished and unfinished size of the block. A 12" finished block will be 12 1/2" unfinished. 10 3/4" finished is very odd size for a quilt block.

Unfinished size is before it is sewn together with the other blocks. Finished size is what you have when it is sewn to the other blocks.