Sounds like you've gotten a lot of good advice from some very seasoned quilters. The only thing I would add is this. I have started putting together one whole block before chain piecing just to make sure I've got everything cut right and in the right order and I know what I'm doing is correct. I put that block next to my machine and then I start chain piecing so I can keep an eye out that I'm not piecing things incorrectly. I hate having to re-do work so this has really helped me.