I did not cut each square separately. I found a pattern in a McCalls quilting mag. that instructs you to cut 1 1/2" strips of 40 different fabrics (about 5 of each and more as needed). Choose 8 (of those 120 or more strips) and sew tog. mixing up the fabrics. THEN, cut this big piece into 1 1/2" strips crosswise (you are now learning to line up multiple seams), making a strip of (8) 1" squares (except for first and last). THEN (a lot of then's) sew 8 of those strips tog, making sure each of the seams line up - and you end up with a "block" that will be 8" x 8" little bitty squares! Make these until you get to the size you want or you are sick of the whole deal, which ever comes first! The border is done similarly with 12 different fabrics, but only 3" wide (3) 1" squares-all neutrals. The original was only a 42 x 42 and I wanted one bigger, so I just added until I was sick of it! Clear as mud?