I learned from someone on this board not to cut until I try the pattern on a practice block first, but then I cut all of the pieces of the block elements as step one. I like to think of it as a kind of factory, building up the quilt smaller to larger sections like a puzzle. Step one....cut everything. Step two....piece the smaller elements. Next, piece those together into blocks, and then put the blocks together into a quilt. I don't cut the borders until I'm ready for them, and the backing comes last. Usually I don't even buy the backing until the top is completely pieced.