When I did one (30? yrs. ago) I cut a cardboard 5 inch template and traced around it with a ball point pen and cut the squares with scissors. I sewed it with 1/2 inch seams in what I kindly call an almost Around the World pattern. It is still going strong although the flannel back is getting worn. I swear this quilt is going to out live me. If I did one today, I would choose a pattern where you stagger the seams because the intersections get pretty thick.