The patterns show you how to cut the fat quarters. there isn't much waste in the process. I turn '9' for a quilt the size of 50" square and it is perfect for Project Linus. The beginning Turning 20 books have large peices, 3 pieces per fat quarter. The later ones have more, 11 for some of them from each fat quarter. I do better with a book or a pattern sometimes. Each block is 16" square and you can turn them anyway you want because the sizes are the same.