To count or not to count? That is the ?
 

When constructing quilt blocks, do you
1. Keep track of how many are done?
2. Sew until you have a pile?
3. Count how many have after a specific time of swing?

Me? I just sew until I have a pile. Doesn't make any difference if I'm following a specific pattern, picture, or just "doing scrappy". https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/cool.png

I'm like you.

I always breakup my sewing into sections of 10-15 at a time, I stop press, double check to make sure the block is correct, then trim and square, take a quick break to stretch a bit before sewing again. This helps me avoid fatigue and minimal time spent jack the ripper if there is a error and when I’m done I can move on to the next step without having to press and trim down a ton of blocks.

That's what I do.

I remember reading in one of Bonnie Hunter's blogs that she sews maybe 10 pieces, then sews a leader/ender, then 10 more pieces. So easy to keep up with how many have been done.

I like working in moderate sized batches. I'll cut enough to be able to make many blocks, but not a whole quilt. I like sewing for a while, pressing for a while, squaring up for a while, repeat. Some times I'll be in the mood for larger batches and/or multiple cycles, sometimes I'm in the mood for smaller batches and/or only one cycle. Most of the time, I don't sit down with a fixed goal of either time or output - I keep going as long it's fun and I'm not making too many mistakes. When I start making more mistakes, it's usually I sign that I'm getting tired and would better off taking a break. (I'm picky with my own sewing, and will rip out and re-do seams when my points and/or seam matching are not spot on.)

The idea of doing everything assembly line style where I do nothing but sew, say, a bazillion half square triangles is not at all appealing to me. I like to see blocks being created even close to the beginning of the process, as I like to admire them and start to play with them to see how the layout is going look.

I make one block at at time. I don't chain sew units. In the long run it's faster to make one block at a time. I have less fitting issues.

I count often and often incorrectly, so I count again LOL

I count after so long to see how many I have. Rarefy do go over the majority of the time I need to count off more and more and more. Especially if I am making 20 or more blocks at a time.

If using scraps, I make blocks until I am out of those scraps and lay out a quilt...however big it becomes. add borders!

I cut everything at once, mostly because I had a bad surprise with poor directions once and didn’t have enough fabric. I sew and press in batches unless I am doing something that really needs the entire set done. I do a number of units, then I count them in stacks of 10. I really like doing things assembly line style, and the only part I get bored with is pressing. Then I put an audiobook on and go for it.

That is a great idea. Thanks for passing it on.

I count as I'm cutting. If I'm cutting 4 layers at a time, I keep each stack seperated like a deck of cards. After everything is cut, I sew production line style. My fave part is designing. So for me it's powering through-I like to see accomplishment: step 1 done, check.
Writing this makes me think, this method is part of my personality. Interesting.

I cut all blocks needed before sewing. If I might have to incorporate another color to make quilt larger it is easier to start out with it and work it in.

I usually cut the pieces for one block and then assemble it. Then I will cut the rest of the pieces for the whole quilt. Many of the quilts I've made lately, while they are not scrappy, use a variety of fabrics, meaning each block may be unique. I always cut and lay out the fabric pieces for each block so I don't end up with blocks at the end having poorly coordinated fabrics. If I have many blocks, I pin them in sets of 10 also.

I cut everything at one time. And I count, count again and clip together in sets of ten. Somehow I always end up one block short or two blocks over so I am guessing I cannot count that well. Really? I can't count to ten? LOL I really don't mind the 2 blocks extra as they go into an orphan block box. When the box is full, I make an orphan quilt. But the one block short really burns my undies!

I don't necessarily count the blocks unless there are tons of them, then I'll make them in piles of 10's or 25's. I do though count and put into piles the number of sections for each block. I write down the sizes I need from each fabric, mark them off as I get all the cutting done for it so I don't cut again and waste fabric. Same for the sashings, borders and bindings. I mark them off on my list so I don't cut again. This is also how I fugre how much fabric I need from each fabric too. I get pretty close to the amount with little waste. I have enough scraps so don't want to add to it if I can help it.

I'm really branching out in my quilting skills, thank you everyone. I used to make the same kaleidoscope pattern over and over because they all turn out so different. I count. It takes 20 "circles", so I fussy cut the 8 pieces for each circle, then the 20 sets of 8 outside pieces to complete the block. I have found out the hard way to cut all "circles" at the same time, without working on another project, that is. After all 20 sets are cut, they can wait to be pinned together to their "block mate".

Each block is an amazing surprise. Admiring each one as I complete it slows me down.

It's been interesting reading the comments, thus far, on this topic; such an insight into how differently our 'organizing minds' work! I've identified most closely to LoisF "I usually cut the pieces for one block and then assemble it." I learned the hard way to do a "test" block to check the pattern for accuracy! Then I cut the fabric for the whole quilt. I always lay out the fabric pieces for one block on a small design board for a visual reference as I'm sewing patches together to be sure I'm assembling correctly. I chain-piece the units where 'it makes sense' to do so. I tend to work in rows - I stack completed blocks in rows per the finished quilt.

I have come to the conclusion that I do not know how to count either, lol! Like most of you, I do things in groups of 10's but I'm still usually off somewhere along the way. Sigh. This is why I buy extra fabric for any given project. Means I can fix my errors and not have to fret about not having the proper fabric. I'm not a scrappy quilter. My extras go to a friend who is far more creative than I.

I count after sewing about 10 blocks and then press and put up on the board to look at and then go back to sewing more. I least try to make one or two more than I need in case a couple are not good enough. I square up all at once.

Which is why I'm like Tartan; count 10 and pin together. I often make random 9P's and 4P's as leaders and enders and this works great to figure out how many you have for a new project.

I'm a bit in the minority it seems. I figure out the math and then cut the right amount of strips, then squares. I prefer to sew in an assembly line style. It's slow to see progress but then when the blocks are done they are all done at the same time and I feel so accomplished. I use to just make a random amounts of blocks and then when I have to cut more pieces I would get annoyed and avoid it - cutting the pieces is my least favourite part. I would make less blocks then I needed and just added a few borders to make it bigger and always regret it. Sewing enough blocks from the beginning means I don't have to have a big border, which is my preference.

I think if I was doing a more complicated block I would do a block first, and then cut everything

I just keep making blocks until I run out of the fabric and then I panic because I don't have any matching fabric for borders. If it is an easy pattern, I just love to keep making the blocks

I count and tally after each "step". It doesn't mean I get the correct amount, but I do get close.

I have so many left over blocks from other quilts that are completed, I don't want any more. So a counting I will go.

I do all of my cutting at once but the last two project I made had me cutting individual pieces for half square triangles instead of cutting matching fabrics and making them the easy way. I have learned my lesson and now I carefully read the instructions and the lay out of a quilt before I start cutting. It saves time and frustration.

Yes I just make a bunch of blocks then put them on the design wall to see if I like them. Unfortunately this method usually ends up with some blocks not working out!

I usually figure out the size of quilt I want to make and the size of the block and go from there. I may or may not count into piles.

I make samples for our LQS and this is so frustrating to me, too. I have to follow the pattern directions to make sure they are correct as we must assume the customer who buys the pattern and or kit will be following the instructions, too. So many times I want to do it the quicker way and can't!

Ever since I lost a whole row of blocks (it got kicked under the bed), I count obsessively, at every step. Like others, I clip or pin stacks of 8 or 10.

Well I finally did it. I needed 48 house blocks for this quilt. I have counted several times and I have 48, yes 48 blocks. Not 47. Not 49 but 48!!! Phew. Guess this old dog can learn one new trick. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Ditto for me. I like to know how far I have gone and how close I am to the goal.