NJ Quilter

I have come to the conclusion that I do not know how to count either, lol! Like most of you, I do things in groups of 10's but I'm still usually off somewhere along the way. Sigh. This is why I buy extra fabric for any given project. Means I can fix my errors and not have to fret about not having the proper fabric. I'm not a scrappy quilter. My extras go to a friend who is far more creative than I.

sewingsuz

I count after sewing about 10 blocks and then press and put up on the board to look at and then go back to sewing more. I least try to make one or two more than I need in case a couple are not good enough. I square up all at once.

oksewglad

Which is why I'm like Tartan; count 10 and pin together. I often make random 9P's and 4P's as leaders and enders and this works great to figure out how many you have for a new project.

lizzie3

I'm a bit in the minority it seems. I figure out the math and then cut the right amount of strips, then squares. I prefer to sew in an assembly line style. It's slow to see progress but then when the blocks are done they are all done at the same time and I feel so accomplished. I use to just make a random amounts of blocks and then when I have to cut more pieces I would get annoyed and avoid it - cutting the pieces is my least favourite part. I would make less blocks then I needed and just added a few borders to make it bigger and always regret it. Sewing enough blocks from the beginning means I don't have to have a big border, which is my preference.

I think if I was doing a more complicated block I would do a block first, and then cut everything

grannie cheechee

I make one block to test the pattern, I do this out of scraps. If this turns out correct I add borders to make a place mat. When my DH sees a new placemat he knows I'm making another quilt. I make a complete block, and count to 5 rather than 10. LOL

Jordan

I just keep making blocks until I run out of the fabric and then I panic because I don't have any matching fabric for borders. If it is an easy pattern, I just love to keep making the blocks

toverly

I count and tally after each "step". It doesn't mean I get the correct amount, but I do get close.

RedGarnet222

I have so many left over blocks from other quilts that are completed, I don't want any more. So a counting I will go.

Fabric Galore

I do all of my cutting at once but the last two project I made had me cutting individual pieces for half square triangles instead of cutting matching fabrics and making them the easy way. I have learned my lesson and now I carefully read the instructions and the lay out of a quilt before I start cutting. It saves time and frustration.

Doggramma

Yes I just make a bunch of blocks then put them on the design wall to see if I like them. Unfortunately this method usually ends up with some blocks not working out!