I have a square that is 5.5 " UNFINISHED. I want to put it on point. What size should I make the background squares?

For a square in the square block?

Cut TWO 4" (and a hair) squares, cut each in half ONCE on the diagonal, attach to the four sides of your inside square.

I like to cut mine oversized, and would probably cut them at least 4.25 if not bigger. I like the floating look.
I sew two on opposite sides of the square.
Just remember when/if you cut them oversized, they will overhang the edges.
After you sew the first two on, you can trim the sizes even with the inside square.
Now add the other two sides the same way.

The formula to figure this is out is to take the FINISHED side measurement, divide by 1.414, and add .5" for a seam allowance.

5" / 1.414 + .5" = 4.03" (that's the "hair")

The 1.414 is essentially figuring out what the diagonal of the background square would be.

Which, btw, will create a block that is FINISHED 7" (and a hair) block.

The exact formula is 5" x 1.414 = 7.07" but if the inside square might be floating a bit, the final block would be a bit bigger.

it depends; if you are going to do the square in a square or just join other blocks on point as fillers. To use filler blocks they should be the same size as your quilted block and then assemble them on point or you could put sashing between them.

Here's a chart. Someone was kind enough to do all the thinking for us!

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/...nt-quilts.html

Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much. I like the idea of oversizing them. I am joining blocks together...not using them as fillers.

Should have gone to Quiltville...Bonnie has all the info!!...great site.

Thanks again.

Thanks I had lost my print out of the link!

Thanks for the link to quiltville, don't know if I will ever need it, if I do I will have it.

There are a lot of other helpful things on Quiltville, such as backing yardage charts, bed size charts, border/binding hints, tutorials. It's a great resource!

Thanks everyone for the info and the links. It is very helpful.

crackers