It does go fast. You don't really need a pattern, I didn't use one. I cut my center squares at 4.5 inches, so that was my personal measurement. I sewed together 2 strips of 3" each, then cut them at 4.5" (same as the center block) for the longer pieces and 3" for the 4 patches. One block at a time, one row at a time till it's the size you want, and you'll get into the process quickly. You don't have to use 4 patches that was how I made it my way. Just make the strips the same size as the blocks, bigger or smaller, your own personal measurement.