Interpreting Directions: Block Size
 

When your pattern tells you "Finished Block: 13", is that the size before you sew into the quilt top or after the top is put together? A very simple and basic question which could go either way in my mind...

13" would be the size after you sew the blocks together. Before assembling the blocks into rows it would be 13-1/2".

OK. That is so incredibly basic and yet at least to me, the directions are ambiguous. Thanks. Katie.

I use the rule: "Finished means FINISHED!!" but I know that many pattern writers expect the user to somehow intuit when they mean block size (before being sewn into a quilt) and finished size (the final outcome after the blocks have been assembled).

In which case it IS rather ambiguous? From what you say, Ginger, it depends on the designer and how he or she writes the directions. That would lead me back to square one. Oh well... shrug.

Finished does mean when sewn into the quilt. Unfinished should be the size of your blocks before they are stitched together.

Usually - with most "modern" quilt patterns -

"finished size" is 1/2 inch smaller in both directions than "unfinished size"

Example:

Finished size block: 12 x 12 inches
Unfinished size block: 12-1/2 x 12-1/2 inches

The 1/2 inch disappears into the 1/4 inch seam allowance on each side of the block.

Or - you can lay out your pieces - subtract the seam allowances - and check it out that way

Maniac explains it perfectly.

It makes sense and I definitely thought of it. I just also thought of it the other way. LOL. This pattern is in a Fons and Porter magazine from this summer or fall. I'm sure after what everyone has said they intend that to measure the blocks once put together. Thanks, all.

Thank you so much for this question and for the answers. I have always been confused by this too.