Sample block is well worth it. I have cut all the blocks for a quilt only to find out I had made a mistake in the sizing. It cost me lots of wasted time and fabric to learn this lesson.

I usually make one block according to the pattern and the fabric I will be using. That way I can see if the block looks the same in real life and it does in my mind. Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me and the block looks nothing as I planned. If all is well with block, that is the first block of the quilt. If I don't like the colors or something else about it, I will make changes .....and have often done that. I then use these "mistake" block in a scrappy sort of quilt.

No, I just start with a few blocks to see how they look. If they look OK and are easy enough, I keep on going.

Test blocks are a great thing if there is a new technique or a funny angle. I made one years ago and went 64 pieces per block for a little kid. I don't think so.

I didn't have anything cut but that one block so I was glad I had tried out the block.

But for techniques and blocks that I recognise as easy and fast, I don't bother.

It depends on the block. If it looks a bit complicated, I always make a test block or two first. I have a box of test blocks. I use them to make pillows, purses & stuff.

No-far too indulgent and expensive to do that.

I almost always make at least one so that the pattern can be checked and then if I decide it's too hard or don't like my color choices, into the box for a sampler quilt when I collect enough blocks.
Brenda

I often make a sample block. In fact, I have a whole batch of former sample blocks hanging around! If I don't want to go further, they eventually turn into pot holders.

You know... that is a great idea! Why struggle with someone else's (measuring) mistakes and your own precious fabric ?! Though it takes time, it's well worth the "little time" to make sure it "fits".

I still do-- especially on blocks that consist of many pieces and to get a visual on color combinations And if I don't like it then it becomes a block to be added to my collection for a sampler quilt in the future if I need a quick gift

I only do a sample if it is paper pieced or if it has something to do with circles. It helps me practice the tecnique before using my good fabric. I save the blocks and make other things out of them, like dog or cat beds, pot holders, ect.

After having cut out an entire quilt once, only to find one of the measurements in the pattern was incorrect, I NOW just cut enough for a few blocks...just to check everything out.

I make one block but usually from the material I plan to make the quilt.

I wish I was that patient.

I never do this but will try it the next time I start a new pattern. Wonderful idea!!

I don't make a sample block. Just get started on the whole thing. when I find pattern mistakes, I unsew and correct it then.

Sometimes I make practice blocks and use them in placemats or table toppers.

I am also a REAL newbie to quilting, but what I do is take a photo of my fabrics, upload to my computer and then practice piecing the photos in an Excel grid. Colors not always true, but I can immediately detect what doesn't work.

Thanks, everyone, for being a part of this forum - a great help for us new to quilting.

Usually I just dive right in. A few weeks ago I did something different, though. I had always wanted to make a french braid, but wasn't sure it was something I could do. So, I did make a small version with some fabric I liked. Much to my surprise, the pattern was easy and I ended up loving the result.

Ditto...just to make sure it looks as good as it does in my head!

Ditto

sometimes I do. It's a good thing. sometimes I think they are too hard and I would not like to do that many blocks that are hard, or just don't like them.

no just do it the size I want

I usually jump right in.

I do, because I want to be sure I have some idea of what I'm doing before I charge ahead on a big quilt. Plus it gives me the opportunity to try my FMQ skills and decide if that's the way I want to go. They make cute little mug rugs, plant pads, whatevers.

I make a test block because I don't want any surprises after the pieces are cut out.

Sometimes I do and when I do I use Christmas fabric so maybe somw day I will have a Christmas quilt.

I do one block before I cut all fabric and if it turns out OK I am one ahead and if not have block for scrap block quilt and then I know what to do to fix the problem

no i just dive right in. sometimes i wish i hadn't, but i just carry on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh no! I just get started. I may cut just a enough fabric to see if the actual blocks and fabrics are what I want, but once I start, that's it! Having said that, I"m about to embark on making a Double Wedding Ring by hand - I may jsut make a test block for that....but not a little quilt!

I dive in..............too impatient!!

Haa, that's such a good idea. I've never done more than lay out the already-cut pieces in the block arrangement before sewing them together, but by that time I've cut out everything I need so it's not like I could turn back at that point anyway.

I don't usually.

I do the same!

Ditto!

I never have but sounds like a good idea.:)

As a newbie I make a sample block in colors I like. Save them up and I have another quilt.

I probably should, but no, I just dive right in. Thankfully, so far, they come out allright.

I just dive right in!

Before cutting,when I preview fabrics, I run color copies of the fabrics I'm considering, cut them into the correct sizes, tape them down to make a paper block, if I don't like the color combos, I adjust till I get the look, then run a copy of the block in color and use it as a visual guide for the first block or so.:)