I was wondering if quilters will cut a strip to it's exact size or add a little width to square up?

For example, the quilt directions call for cutting strips at 3 7/8" to then cut down to squares. Would you cut the strips ant 3 7/8" or cut at 4"?

I appreciate your comments.

i try my best to cut the size recommended in the instructions.

i don't always succeed, mind you. but i try. :lol:

If this is to make HST's there are people that do it both ways. Some like to add the extra and then center and square up. Its really up to you.

If you are making half square triangle blocks, the 3 7/8 cut will already allow you extra to square up to 3 1/2, so the 4 inch cut is not really needed.

If your measurements are perfectly accurate (mine are not) and all is done within perfection, 2 3 7/8 squares should give you 2 squares that are 3 1/2 each (HST) that needs no squaring. In the real world, if you have enough fabric I say go with the 4 and trim down. Is safer.

I try to cut according to the patterns instructions.

When doing HST, I always cut on the even inch. 7/8 is not something I like to look for on a ruler. On other things, I tend to follow directions because I'm not smart enough to figure it out without them!

In a class i took recently the instructor said when cutting, to line up the edge of the fabric with the outer edge of the mark on your ruler. I tried it an my cuts were more accurate.

With me it depends, if I'm following a pattern then I will cut exactly to the measurements. If its something I'm making up as I go along, eg, a scrappy or string quilt, then I will cut and make the blocks larger then needed and square them up later.

7/8" is just too time consuming and finicky. it's much faster to cut to 4" and trim down later.