Finding 7/8's LIne
 

I am working on my 1st scrappy quilt & want to add some 1/2 square triangles. I need the finished square to be 6". It says the square should be 6 7/8 before cutting. Apparently I don't know my ruler lines!! Thanks for helping me.

Sue

6 7/8 is halfway between the 6 3/4 and 7" lines. However, most of us would cut the squares at 7", make the HSTs, and whittle them down to size.

The smallest line right before the next inch mark- does that make sense ?

To make sure you have the correct line start counting all the lines until you get to the next inch to see if your ruler has 8ths or 16ths

I would just make an 1/8" bigger = 7" and be done with it. Will be much easier cutting them, then trim down to size you need. Just how I would do it.

If you have 8 markings between each inch, it is the one before the 7 inch mark. If you have 4 markings between each inch, it will be between the last marking and the 7 inch mark. I cut mine 7 inches and then when they are sewn
together, I'll square them off to 6 1/2 (1/4 all around, to finish 6 inches) Hope this helps.

Ditto!

IMHO it is a lot easier to square up to the correct size, then a lot of #*%^( because they HST came out to small. :)

I agree. So much easier to square up and have the correct measurement if you aren't dealing with the 7/8th's of an inch. I used to do all the tedious measurements, but realized I save myself a lot of time and measuring by just going up to the next whole inch and using a ruler and squaring it up.

i agree with cutting them 7" and trimming. this also helps if your sewing is not perfect, like mine :)

there are 8 1/8ths in every inch. Count the 8ths on the ruler, it will show where the 7/8ths is.