I first study the pattern. I am a very visual person so in my mind I picture each step. Then usually do one block and see how that goes. Then I start cutting. If I have the fabric I sometimes cut the borders out first too. Always cut binding after quilt top is done. Cutting borders my least favorite part of cutting. I don't like cutting long pieces of fabric.
Before starting a project I always cut and sew one test block first, to make sure of its final size and fabric requirements. Then I'll cut all the fabric for the blocks on the kitchen counter, as it is the only surface high enough to be confortable. If I'm not sewing immediately the blocks, I store the pieces in a ziplock transparent bag, with a small note on how many they are, and what block/quilt they are for. I enjoy having 2-3 of such kits ready to sew for my spare moments so I don't depend on the kitchen being free. I would store in the same box as these bags, the fabric for the borders, if I have any. But I won't cut it until the top is completed. Sometimes I have changed my mind on the fabric, or decided to add sashing between blocks and therefore altered the final measurements.
I shut the cutter's blade every single time I leave it on the counter, no matter if it's only for seconds while I pick another strip. I don't wear any gloves.
Having a small sewing area in my bedroom and an OCD husband helps a lot keeping organized. I've been quilting for 3 years now, I've probably completed about 30 quilts, and yet no cutting accidents. It's a good thing as my FIL distributes bandaids, there are zillions of them in his warehouse but obviously none in the house for when you need any!
Lourixe, I'm just learning the value of writing notes to put with my projects in the making. I've found that now that I'm working on more than one project at a time, I'm getting the projects confused. It sure saves time not to have to reinvent the wheel as to oh yeah, now what block was this one? what was that color or fabric I was going to use for this particular quilt binding etc etc. I save any little plastic bags that my fabrics come in to store project parts in too.
I've been making a test block from scraps before getting started on the quilt. I don't cut it all at once, because I do not enjoy cutting. I do better if I cut some, sew some, cut some, sew some ....
Oh, another tip I forgot, I save any bags with snaps that sheets, pillow cases, blankets, etc come in. That way all material for a project can be kept together along with pattern, notes. If i have some of the fabric cut or blocks sewn together, then I'll put them in ziplock bags. Everything is all stored together inside of big bag. Otherwise I may accidentally use fabric that was intended for something else.
First I do a test block to make sure the instructions work for me. But I rarely cut out anything all at once. If I need 150 4-patches, I'll cut out maybe enough for 30 of them, sew maybe 10 strips, press, cut out and join, then repeat all this. I sew in stages I fusee you'd call it. I don't like to sit and sew for a long time, I like to move around, sewing or cutting or pressing. I don't choose the binding until the top is all pieced. There's no way I can think that far ahead! Same way with borders and sashing!
See what I'm sewing at http://disfordovey.blogspot.com
Favorite cutting tip: buy pre-cuts.
Just kidding. I tend to cut as I go. I do go ahead and make up a block or two so if there are going to be issues, I see what they are. I usually make decisions about borders and binding after the main part of the top is made, but I recently made a two-color quilt (the double Irish chain I posted in Show and Tell a couple of days ago) and I went ahead and cut out the borders ahead. I had plenty of fabric and I wanted to make sure the borders didn't need to be pieced. It's a luxury I don't usually have. I have the binding already cut too.
I love all of your tips.
I worked in a boutique type store for several years as a bookkeeper. It was a very high end, ritzy type of place. One day as I was walking by the big trash bins I noticed some wonderful heavy clear plastic totes and bags with big heavy zippers in them. I plucked those babies right out of the trash and asked the receiving department to save things like that for me. I also asked the display team if they had any of the neat plastic totes and bags come through to save them for me. Some of the bags had cosmetic type items in them, some had tablecloths and napkins in them. They would throw the bags away for the items they were using as displays but keep the actual merchandise in the bags that they were selling. I have used those free items over and over to store quilt blocks and kits to keep them together. Because they are clear it is easy to see what is inside. If any of you shop at boutiques or stores where they carry nice linens, sheets, comforters, bedspreads, cosmetic sets etc. You might ask if they have an area where they keep their bags of that type or if they would save them for you. They are great for so many things.
I guess it's OCD - I have to have all the pieces for the quilt body cut before I ever start. If it's a sampler quilt or BOM, I store the pieces for each block in a separate ziplock bag and label it so I know which block it is. I also estimate how much border fabric and binding I need if I have those chosen prior to starting the quilt. I will cut out the lengths, go ahead and iron my binding and roll it onto a paper towel core, and put it in my binding box. That way everything is ready to start sewing. I HATE to have to cut more pieces in the middle of a project. If borders and binding are not selected at the beginning, I do like others - let it hang on the design wall a few days and audition border and binding fabric. I also try to cut up my scraps into usable sizes when I'm finished cutting the quilt. I only save whole pieces that are over 1/4 yard. Otherwise they get cut into strips or blocks for scrap projects. Again - OCD.