Question about Dessert Time pattern by Eleanor Burns
 

Okay, I am a new quilter, so I am trying to understand the why and reasoning behind a pattern I just purchased. This pattern claims it is for the beginner, and you can use 10 inch precuts. But then you must trim down 40 10 inch squares to 9 inch squares. Yikes!
Now what would be the reasoning for this? If I left my 10 inch squares as is, would it make this quilt look strange? I am really trying to understand this, and i understand that I will need more fabric for the borders, etc, but that sure seems to make more sense to me than cutting down all of these squares.
I am going to make it as instructed, (After I purchase a 9 1/2 inch square ruler! ) but I am trying to understand the logic behind it. Why wouldn't the person who made this have left the precuts as is so it would have truly been an easy quilt for a beginner? Do triangles from 10 inch squares look bad compared to triangles from 9 inch squares?

Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7eR_h7ZrDE

I would make the block using the 10 inch squares and then trim down after making. All precut pieces may not be exactly 10".

You need to start with 10 inch to get the 9 inch block. The extra is taken up with the seam. Seeing on the angle takes up more than sewing a straight seam

OK, remember your high school math?? When you start to get into HSTs, you have to realize that you need to add 7/8" for a seam allowance instead of the standard 1/4" we become so accustom to. If you need to make a 9" HST, you need to cut two squares 9.875" So most quilters just add an inch and then sliver trim down the block. it may take a little more time, but you will have an accurate block.

Good advice here.
I just want to welcome you to this board. Lots of helpful and knowledgeable people here.

Thanks for all the responses And this video will be very helpful!!! Feeling better about it already!

Eleanor always gives you a fudge factor, just in case you need it.

wonderful pattern... and welcome to the QB! You'll love how knowledgeable these members are and so willing to offer assistance. We look forward to seeing pictures of your quilt.

Welcome to the QB. I have learned so much here.

Here is Eleanors video of this quilt . You can quilt along with her.. she is in my opinion, the best at making quilting fun and easy and allows extra fabric to square up for better accuracy. Hope you enjoy, and have fun.

http://ca.search.yahoo.com/yhs/searc...dia_15_53_ssg0

Often times, a shop has a bigger profit margin on pre-cuts (less overhead costs). I have purchased various pre-cuts because I like the variety in the package and I like having a pre-cut when I feel the need to just sew something, but I would not waste them on a pattern that required trimming. Just calculate how much fabric you need for your 9" and purchase it. At least the piece leftover from the WOF will be large enough for another project.

I should get this pattern. I have some layer cakes I'm not sure just what to do with & this would be great. After doing this with a layer cake I'd feel more comfortable using yardage(stash). If you have a 12-1/2" ruler you could use that for the square-up.

Just a quick thought, you can buy a square ruler in 9.5", but it will be more useful to buy a 12.5" square ruler and use tape on the back to show a 9.5" square, to make squaring up easier and faster. You will find that if you buy your rulers at standard sizes as you begin quilting, you will be able to do more with each ruler you buy. I buy a product on Amazon called "glow tape" that is made just for this purpose, or any painter's tape will fork as well, but this product is what I first tried for me to get straight lines. Welcome to our obsession!

I agree with Onebyone, use the 10" squares, make your HST's, then square them up to the correct size.

The biggest reason to by pre cut 10 inch squares are that you have a much better variety of fabrics If you purchased 1/3 yard of 20 fabrics that would be buying 6 2/3 yards of fabric. Yes you would get 4 of each fabric instead of the 40 pieces you would get in the pre cut package. But how many of us would really take the time to pick out 20 fabrics and have the store cut 1/3 yd of each ,even if they did have the complete line that we were looking at.