bearisgray

I agree that it may be a good thing to reserve fabric for the border before cutting the smaller pieces.

At the time, I was not 'aware' enough to be aware of the whole design - and I would have been better off waiting until later - Learn and live -

I have since learned that I can only 'absorb' so much information at a time - and I have frequently 'learned' by doing things bass-ackwards.

There are advantages to having some experience - one has a better idea of what will work 'the way it is written' - and what should be tested before committing to the whole pattern.