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!