Ha ha! When I first started reading this post I couldn't figure out what my problem was.
Then I realized I was being quoted!
I am making my quilt the size in the magazine. Right now the second quarter is on the wall with ten rows of it sewn together. This is a challenging pattern, even though it is a one patch. Keeping the pieces in the right order is CRAZY WILD!
Have fun working on this one. I almost choked reading it is your first quilt.
peace
EDIT: As for how many pieces from a FQ: I figure from a true FQ you should get 24 - 2 1/2" sqs.
A FQ is 9 x 22" You get three length wise cuts @ 2.5"W and
you get 8 - sub cuts from the 22" long strip
3 x 8 = 24 There will be some scrap left over and if you have to true up the FQ you may get less than 24 - 2.5" sqs.
Hope this helps