Why Do I Need So Much...

Why Do I Need So Much Fabric to Make a Quilt?

A plain block has only 4 sides of ¼” seam allowance. 
Therefore, is a one-inch square piece

 cut 2” square (1 + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼)?   

 NO, here is why:

 If I want to piece a 2”x 2” block with one-inch pieces, 

how big must my piece of fabric be?

    The same 2” X 2” block kept plain, 
with no piecing,

is how big again?

 

3 X 3 equals 9, and 2-1/2 X 2-1/2 equals 6-¼

Subtract 6-1/4 from 9 to see how much more fabric it takes to piece the square.

Pieces not square nor rectangular has scraps leftover – requiring yet more fabric.