Hi all..............i am starting a quilt but i'm not good at math. lol
I am cutting 3 inch squares and it will be a 16 piece block (3 inches each). The next block will be a solid white block. My question is this.......how big do i cut the white square? thanks in advance.

a 16 piece block so it is 4 3" squares wide and 4 tall. Your finished block would be 10.5 x 10.5 that is assuming you are using a 1/4" seam. So the solid white would also need to be 10.5 x10.5

cut them 10-1/2". Your 3" squares will end up 2-1/2" after sewing. Finished block will be 10".

Thanks so much CloverPatch and Katier. I appreciate your help. hugs cheryl

Or sew together the first block. Then measure and cut the other to match. :)

Hi Mesissy,

It sometimes helps to put the design down on a piece of paper. One thing is to not forget to add in your seam allowance (1/4 inch) at each side of the block.

When figuring out the amount of fabric needed I would always add in additional to allow for fabric shrinkage and to compensate for needing extra when necesary.

Good luck with your quilting project.

Pam M

You would still need to add the 1/2 inch on all sides so when they are all sewn together the block sizes are the same. Remember once her first block (of patches) are sewn the seam allowance has been accounted for....... :-D

So 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 is the correct size for the white block.

Thanks everyone. All good info. Hugs