you can put two of your smaller squares diagonally on the 4 1/2" squares and make 4 (1/2 square triangle blocks) at once instead of only 2...just a way to speed it up a bit. :thumbup:
i dont know why they would start with the square in the center, seems like a lot of waste, unless what you cut off is used somewhere else? i would contact the person who designed the pattern (through a pm-private message) and ask for some clairification