I only counted the pieces once. It was from the Bible block quilt. I counted after. It was terrible to piece. It had 56 pieces and every one was a y seam and took me 10 hours to put together a 9 inch block. If it was the first block I never would have completed the quilt. I gave it to my minister son. I wouldn't like to make a quilt thinking there was 1000's of pieces in it. Counting afterwards that many pieces wouldn't be bad giving one a sense of accomplishment.