Things can get tricky when you are dealing with measurements for quilting. So, don't be ashamed to draw things out, use cheat sheets or simply ask here....people are always willing to help.

Hey, don't feel bad! I 'thought' I was pretty good at math till I started quilting - have discovered otherwise...

Your piece of fabric has two directions: width and length. In case of a square, these dimensions are the same.

Let's use a rectangle as an example, maybe that will make more sense. Let's say the size of the fabric rectangle is 3" by 5" - Now you sew another rectangle to the first one along the 5" measurement. You will use 1/4" seam on BOTH pieces and both rectangles will be 2 3/4" x 5". Sew another rectangle to the bottom and now your center piece will be 2 1/2" x 5" (Notice how the 5" measurement has not changed yet).

Now imagine that you sew a 3" x 5" piece to the end. This will leave each piece at 3" x 4 3/4" Sew the other piece to the other end and your center patch will be 3" x 4 1/2" (Notice how the 3" measurement hasn't changed)

If you sew pieces all around then you will use up 1/4" on the top, and 1/4" on the bottom (and this measurement will be subtracted from the height). Then you will use up 1/4" on the left side and 1/4" from the right side (and this measurement will be subtracted from the width).

Because you're taking the same 1/4 inch off the top and bottom as you're taking off the sides. You can't add it up.ha.

Tricky for a lot of people huh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think of it this way, a 3.5 in square is that measurement ACROSS the square, not 3.5 across plus 3.5 top to bottom, so you only take off the quarter inch seam two times, because that is what affects the measurement across the square. Does that help? Your plan for a cheat sheet is a good one. I copied one from a magazine a long time ago and it lives by my machine.

Come at it from the other way. Your 4" cut square is 4" wide by 4" high...or 8" total if you combine them. If you then subtract the 1" of seam allowances, you get 7". Divide that in half (because it's a square and length and width are the same) and you get a 3½" square. Does that help you see it?

If you consider both directions (length and width) for one element (the seam allowances), you have to do it for the other as well (the square sides).

I understand the math, and I understand the confusion. Sometimes you just have to believe and take that leap of faith and cut the way the other quilters say to cut. Understanding will come when you cut and sew. In my case, understanding comes slowly....thank you patient quilting community!

Sometimes you just have to Not think too much! LOL!

I so agree that overthinking can be your worst enemy!!