I wouldn't dream of cutting all those paper pieces...you all are awesome for doing your own! I purchase mine precut from paperpieces.com. I use 1" sides. I also purchased precut 2 & 1/2" strips which I rotary cut to 2 & 1/2" squares. I baste my squares to the paper pieces so that the project can sit for a while. This will take years after all! A quick start to my lifelong English Paper pieced GFG! Good luck.