I generally remember that I should have cut my border first after the center is done and I realize I'll have to piece the border. lol

If I have a limited amount of fabric and I can't get any more, I spend a lot of time doing the math to make sure there will be enough. The old saying: measure twice cut once comes to mind...... Inadvertantly, I'll miscut, mismeasure, or missew, and that's where creativity and a visit to the fabric store come in. :lol:

I usually by border fabric separate even if it's the same as what I'm going to use in the quilt blocks. This way I know that piece is for borders. I try not to buy more than 1/2 yard cuts of any fabric unless it's for backing. It's easier to have the smaller size to work with. I may buy two yards of one fabric but have it cut into four 1/2 yards. Fabric cost so much I don't mind asking the shop to cut it the way I want it.

usually with a rotary cutter, but sometimes with a scissors, very occasionally I'll tear it -

Seriously, if the whole piece is going to be cut into - say four inch squares -
I would probably tear off an 18 inch length and cut my pieces from that -
It is just so much easier to handle shorter lengths.

I make my first cut on the lengthwise grain - and allow the extra length for if the fabric had an off-grain beginning cut.

I also try to buy extra.

And to plan ahead before cutting if I only have a small piece available.

GREAT tips have been given here - such as drawing out the pieces on graph paper before cutting, etc.