I usually have a 'cutting' day and cut several quilts at one time and then bag each part of the quilt with descriptions and put it all together in a larger bag or container. Then when I'm ready to sew or go to a retreat I have my projects ready to go! I learned from experience to carefully describe each section as otherwise it can be a mystery later!!

Since the only thing I create are projects I visualize in my mind the instructions are my own.... :D

So my instructions come as I design and create it. :-)

However if I ever used someone else's patterns I suppose I'd follow what they say to do especially to ensure that I have enough of the fabric for the project.

I generally get the directions with a block ( or part of the quilt) with scrap fabric before I cut it all out. I generally follow the cutting instructions because generally they have worked out the best order for things to be cut. Most patterns will tell you the largest part to cut and the sub cut into the smaller pieces. If you just cut off those smaller pieces you might end up with a lot of unusable ( for that project) scraps and not enough fabric to complete the project. If you DO cut ahead and have to move your fabric ( to make way for dinner, like I do) be sure to keep them organized in zip lock bags or something, so your carefully cut pieces don't go astray !

I usually PP, so figure out how much fabric I need and cut strips. I PP off those strips and cut off as I go. This saves fabric and I don't have as much waste, since you can use both ends of the strip, if it's not a directional print. If not PP, then I usually cut as I go. I make up a lot of my patterns, but that's just me.

How much I cut depends on the pattern and my fabric. I prefer to cut out all the blocks and possibly sashing and binding all at once so I can label them. I usually wait on big outer borders unless I'm tight on fabric and want to be sure I have enough length, which is my preferred way to cut them. I sometimes carefully measure and square fabric then draw out a rough cutting diagram on paper so I don't mess up and run out of a fabric. I'm famous for that one! If I'm unsure of the block I cut out enough for one or two out of scraps so I can try it out and not waste big pieces of fabric.

I always cut as I go unless I am taking the project to a sewing group or guild meeting. Not sure why but I like cutting as I go better!

I always make a sample block with scraps, then if I like it I cut the entire quilt.

Most of the time I make a sample block before I even buy the material for a quilt pattern to make sure I want /like it.
then check my stash to see if I have material I like for it or need to buy. saves $$$ and it. then cut out by the pattern the required pieces.

Hubby cuts mine. He likes to and it is good quality time spent together . He cuts it as I need it to sew. it is usually what ever it takes to finish the step I'm working on at the time. I like to hoard fabric so I always buy too much. So I don't worry about not having enough. Sometimes I change my mind on what fabric to use after I have seen what it is going to look like so I don't like to cut it all at once.

Making one block makes a lot of sense. After I do that, I cut long strips for the borders - if I've decided ahead of time what the borders will be. Most of the time, I don't decide on the borders ahead of time,so I plan my cutting to leave long, length of fabric pieces from the most-likely candidates, so I'll have enough fabric for borders. Then I cut all of my pieces using my Accuquilt Go. That can be done in less than 30 minutes, and I can start sewing.