I LOVE everyone's blocks so far. Barbara, thank you, thank you, thank you for the tips. For blocks 1 b, c & d I trimmed the HST with a bloc loc tool, changed my thread to 80 wt and measured after each square addition. It took a little longer at the outset, but all three measured 6 1/2" in the end and I didn't have to spend the time blocking them to get them to measure up which took more time on the back end and the results weren't as pleasing. Here is block 1. Now to cutting out block 2. I think I will use a combo of sizes and see where that takes me.