Thank you for the chuckle. Too true. There has to be a reason, so before I start cutting away on something I know that I should think it through. Too many times I have had to redo blocks, or Frankenstein them back together because I thought I knew more than the ruler. I have even had to go through the waste bin and retrive scraps to sew back together.

Thank you! Your understanding of my ranting has made my day. :-)

My final thought for today... "BE ONE WITH THE RULER!"

I have been asked time and time again how big my quilt will be. My answer: It will be what it will be. With the exception of the blocks in the swaps, I have NEVER finished a quilt to a given size and I admire anyone who manages that feat.

I never measure my finished size of a quilt. I assume it to be close to what the pattern says it should be. I always think to measure it but, I decide it really doesn't matter. If it is for our bed, if it fits it is okay, if I give it away I don't worry about it.

i mark my template squares diagonally with either marking tape (that skinny stuff in horrible neon colors) or thin magic marker. then i can center up the blocks and see what needs to be trimmed and be sure it will end up centered evenly. david made me a full set of plastic squares from home depot plastic, in sizes 4.5 up to 12.5. i marked every one diagonally. all i do with them is center blocks up for trimming. but you can mark any store-bought plastic square ruler.

Thank you for all the advice. Good tips. The blocks are squared and trimmed and ready to be sewn togther today.

Good info.

Great idea--thanks and you could reuse the freezer paper 2 or 3 times couldn't you?

12.5 by12.5 would be perfect but as long as they are all the same size you will be OK.

Ooooohhh, progress! Can't wait to see a picture of your quilt!