Friendly Advise Needed
 

I am planning to make a scrappy quilt with lots of stars. This will be the first large quilt that I'm going to make. Since I'll have lots of pieces should I cut out one block at a time or the whole quilt at once? Also, how is the best way to organize a large project?

Make sampler block first check instructions if you have them.

I tend to tackle jobs like this "one bite at a time". Once I have stitched a test block (to make sure my cutting measurements are correct) I will cut enough to assemble anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the quilt. For something like a star block (I happen to be working on one myself right now!) I tend to put my cut pieces into piles for each block then I put as much of the pile as I can fit into a ziplock bag. So one bag may have enough cut pieces in it to assemble 8 blocks. I have another larger ziplock bag to hold the completed blocks, unless they are fairly large (12 1/2" or bigger) then I use a box to store the completed blocks. I will then sew until I need to cut more. Then I usually cut out the rest of the blocks and lather rinse repeat. Once all my blocks are done I lay them out the way I want to assemble then, make sashing if they are are sashed and assemble my quilt top. Once that is all done, I make my borders and sew those on (if I am doing a border). This is just the way I do it. You may find to cut it all out first works better for you. I do it this way to break out the tedium of doing the same task. Your results may vary.

I agree with tessagin, always make a sample block, whatever pattern you are using. Best to know early if your seam allowances are correct, or if the pattern has a mistake in it.

If you love scrappy Bonnie Hunter has lots of free scrappy patterns and her instructions are very complete and thorough.
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/free-patterns.html
Happy Quilting! Let us know how it goes

I keep projects in progress in these Iris 3" thick Scrapbook Case that I bought @ JAF online. Design walls also helps keep me organized. (PS: the quilt shown in this box is done, I am sewing the binding as I write this)

Anytime I try out a new pattern, I'll make up one block to make sure I understand the instructions and if it came out as it should, then I might go ahead and cut all my pieces. Of course I didn't do that on Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery and I made a bunch of miss cuts. Of well, they cuts are large enough to be used on something else so I'm not crying over my mistakes.

I usually make a test block, if all goes well, I cut out the fabric for all the blocks, but not the sashing or borders. I piece all the blocks, then cut sashing, add that then cut the border(s).

I've learned the hard way to make a test block first. Not only do you need to check measurements and such, it's good to find out if you enjoy or hate making the block.

I agree with everyone above---make a sample/test block to see if your cutting and 1/4" gives you the correct size of the desired block. I will cut 5 or 6 blocks out and lay each uncut block on a paper plate and when I have time to sew one or two blocks then I just grab a plate and the pieces are ready to go.

I also usually build the blocks as I go because sometimes, as the pieces go on the design wall, it's "big enough" where it is, and I stop constructing blocks.