I'm working on my first sampler and I was just thinking about this! I'm doing the Civil War Block of the Week on Barbara Brackman's blog and I find myself spending a lot of time on each block - fussy cutting or orientation of the fabrics.
It's quite a switch from my usual methods - chain piecing and racing to get it all done so that I can get to the quilting. :)
I bought the Dear Jane software and I'm thinking about starting that, but the Farmer's Wife looks pretty interesting, too. Anyone have both of these and prefer one over the other?
Edited to add Barbara Brackman's blog address:
http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/