? on HST sizes
 

Sorry Brain will not engage today. I am going to make a carpenters square for my brother in laws retirement. The pattern calls for 6 1/2" unfinished squares. What size will I need to cut my squares for to do HST? I am thinking 7 and 3/8 , but am not sure. I am going to use this pattern http://www.quiltfrog.com/fourhour.html

Has anyone else made this one?

I think I read somewhere that you had to add 7/8" for HSTs and 1.25" for QSTs. I'd be tempted to add extra just to allow for squaring up.

I agree with Jeaninmaine - add extra for squaring up!

there is a post on this site that makes 4 61/2 inch hsts from 2 91/2 inch squares by sewing around the 2 squares and then cutting diagonally in both directions-- neat idea to save time!

Gee, Thanks Abby's mom, I knew I thought I had seen that somewhere. I think that is the way I will go. I am proud I did remember the add 7/8 rule.

LOL, sinus meds will rot your mathematical mind.......Thanks everybody!!!

The pattern calls for 6.5 unfinished. So your finished size is 6 inches. You add 7/8ths to the finished size not the unfinished size. So for the HST I would cut 7 inches and square up to 6.5.

Scissor Queen is right. The 6 7/8" would require you to do a scant 1/4" seam and press very accurately to retain the square shape. If you sew that perfectly, then that is the correct size for you. I prefer to add 1" to the FINISHED HST size (which would be 7" in this case) and trim the individual HSTs down to size.

Thanks for your input. I so appreciate your help!

I like to "err" on the plus side when possible, so I would cut the squares a little larger and then trim to the proper size. Good luck, and show us when you finish!

I paper piece them via Triangulations software and no need to think about measurements or cut to size afterwards. I've posted about Triangulations 3 times already today. :>