i confess. i stink at math. always have. and a don't like 2.5".
i like 3". it's so much easier to work with as i get older. and who decided that 2.5" was the universally preferred unit referred unit of measurement? i know 2 goes into 10 easily, but so what? 3 goes into 12 easily. big deal!

so, how can i change the instructions for EVERY SINGLE pattern strip from 2.5" to 3"? does anyone know a way? that won't send me over the edge?

Well, if you increase the 2.5 size 20% that would make it 3.
Maybe you could increase all the block pieces by 20%?
Not seeing the pattern makes a difference as it may not work on some blocks.

If you change the cut size from 2.5 to 3 you change your finished size from 2 to 2.5. Seems like 2 would be easier. Or do you mean to change your finished size from 2.5 to 3? I just follow the pattern-it's easier that way.

what i want to do is start with a cut strip that is 3" so that i end up with finished squares at 2.5. when you start with a 2.5 strip, you end up with a 2" square after seam allowances. those smaller squares are harder for me to handle. that crummy half-inch makes a world of difference.

but if you read through all the instructions and see all the sub-cutting and odd-shaped pieces, i don't know how to get the right sizes including the seam allowances. the only thing i can think of is drawing up each and every piece on graph paper at the finished size, if i can even figure it out from the instructions,which isn't always easy, and then add the seam allowances to each piece.

That's why I use simple patterns. Little or no odd shaped pieces.

http://www.thimbleberries.com/pdf/THP00146.pdf

if you look at this pattern, you will see all those small hst. look at the directions for cutting and you'll see they ask for 2.5 strips to be cut. all the other instructions relate to the 2.5 strips.

how can i change the strips to 3.0 and up the other measurements respectively? i would like to end up with a finished size of 2.5, not 2.0.

i know i would have to make fewer blocks or narrower borders. i can deal with that. sometimes that's a blessing.

(I would like to end up with a finished size of 2.5, not 2.0.)

If you want a finished 2 1/2" hst, you would need to start with 3 3/8" strips, then subcut your squares 3 3/8". Or you could cut 3 1/2" and square to 2 1/2"

then, using the link that i gave as an example, how would that effect the rest of the sizes? (not that i plan to make it, but it had the example i was looking for)

on the gold, they say to cut pieces 2.5 x 4.5. if you cut 3.0, what do you do instead of 4.5? that has to change, also. everything has to change. but how to change it?

My brain is dead today and I am having hard time doing this today.

Someone please tell me if I calculate this incorrectly. I think:
HST would be 3 3/8" squares
Corner Squares would be 3"
Center large squares would be 5 1/2"
Flying geese would be gold 3" x 5 1/2" and the background squares would be 3" for the flying geese.
I don't know what the stems would be. I would just play with scraps and figure that one out.

This is why I do not fussy cut for any of my quilts.