I do a lot of cutting but so often I'm not sure what size I want and so I cut quite a bit, piece the cut parts and then play with the squares on the wall and then generally end up cutting more. I can't tell you how many times I started making a throw and ended up with a queen size quilt. Of course you can only do this if you over buy your fabric or are working with scraps.If it is a regular pattern, I cut it all first and then follow the instructions with the pattern, most of the time. And if I am adding a border I have a tendency to not buy that fabric till the whole thing is together.