Block #2 and QSTs

First off, here's my block #2, continuing with my batik scraps. I've decided that all the 10" blocks will follow this theme, and blocks in other sizes may veer off in some other direction!

People have been talking about getting these blocks together without the fabric stretching out of shape, and I thought I'd jump in with my own humble opinions. I hate starch, and I really don't like the Quilter's Cache method of making quarter square triangles by cutting up the squares and sewing the pieces all back together -- first of all you're guaranteed to stretch out the fabric, and second (if you're like me) you're going to lose a triangle somewhere along the line and end up on the floor looking for it! So, here's my tried and true, no-starch method:

First, instead of cutting the squares at 3-1/4 inch, cut them at 3-3/8 inch, or even 3-1/2 if you like. Mark a diagonal line on the back side of the lighter squares. Put two squares together, sew 1/4 inch on either side of the line, and cut apart. Press towared the darker side. Voila! you've created HSTs!

Now draw a diagonal line again, on the back side of half of your new HSTs:
Put them right sides together and sew 1/4 inch on each side of the line.
Cut on the line, and you have this:
When you press them open -- you have QSTs without having had to sew any stretchy edges:
Trim them down to size -- in this case, it's 2-1/2 inches. Note that I've put the diagonal line of the ruler on one diagonal seam; also, note that the 1-1/4 inch marks or the ruler meet right at the intersection of the diagonal seams of the square.
I put the block together by sewing the 9 squares in the middle first; then I add two short sides, and then the two long sides. Hope this all makes sense and is a little bit of help for our newer stitchers!