GrannieAnnie is right about this quilt. I am somewhat amazed that the instructions ask you to cut and piece this pattern as they do. It would be much simpler to do it the way it's usually done. In this case, each 9 patch block will have 4 white squares, one in the middle of each side. Then it will have three fabrics from the diagonal row it's on and one each from from the diagonal row before and after. For example, the orange row blocks will have one red corner and one turquoise corner. Here is a link demonstrating how to make a disappearing nine patch, which is an excellent pattern for a newbie, as well as us old-bies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clL_nz8J_vg Instead of arranging the piece the way she does in the video, you just flip two of the corners so that there are only 2 small squares in the middle. There are other instructions out there that you can google, but this one is pretty straightforward and has the light squares where you'll want to place your whites. All the squares start out the same size.

Safety is task number 1! I'm tired of seeing people type on this board about cutting themselves. Most of us had at least a close call as beginners. Never put any part of you or another person (or pet) in front of where you're pushing the cutter. It's a good idea to coat the under side of your rulers with rubber cement before you begin. They will be much more stable, and this doesn't hurt the rulers.

I'm editing this to add that the quilt has about a half a block more on the left side, so those are going to have to be pieced as the instructions show. That's extra practice cutting and piecing different sizes, I guess, but if it was my quilt, I'd probably just go ahead and make another complete row, unless there's not enough fabric to do so, or you have to have a quilt exactly the size given.

Welcome to the QB, and best wishes for your project!

I wonder if the designer's instructions are different from the usual D9P because she used a different combination of fabrics in each color i.e in the blue row all the fabrics are different. So it would be almost impossible to strip piece.

I think I'd cut-then start chain piecing. You will probably get more pieces from your fabric by cutting 6.5 in. strips, then cutting that in 3.5 in. pieces. That really won't be that many cuts if you use your rotary cutter. You will be surprised at how fast it goes. I love the pattern you have chosen. Please share the finished quilt with us!

Welcome from across the river in WI. I, too, love this pattern & am excited to see yours all done. I know you'll do great! Slow & steady wins the race!

I would be nice to have an "Angel" watching over your shoulder as you start. Do you know of any friends who quilt who would be willing to do this? An hour or so would make a big difference in your confidence. Check with a local quilt club.

I'm back! I would certainly count how many pieces I need that have the same color with the white, and sew strips together of the 3.5 and 6.5 for as long as I need to cut all of these at one time. For instance: a small yellow square and a white 3.5 by 6.5 strip are used in Blocks A, B, and R. So you would need a strip of light yellow which is 3.5 times three, or 10.5 inches. (I would cut it 11 inches.) Sew to a 6.5 inch strip of white. You don't need to cut off the white just yet. Press and cut three strip 3.5 inches wide.
You will need 10 of the Light pink and white strips, so you need a strip at least 35 inches of the 3.5 light pink and 6.5 white. Sew them together, and then cut the 10 strips 3.5 inches wide. The other 3.5 X 6.5 white strip in each block goes with the large square, and that one goes up and down, so be sure to mark which one you are using. I would draw a line through each two-piece in the picture to make it less confusing. Then sew a 3.5 strip of white to a 6.5 strip of dark pink, and cut the 6.5 sub strips. You need 11 of these. 6.5 x 11 is 71.5 inches. Repeat with other colors.
This would speed up the cutting and sewing. Then you lay them out somewhere as they will be on the quilt before you sew any more together. The picture will be your guide.
Happy speedy quilting.