When I make a memory quilt I start by cutting my material into 12″ squares.  You can either use scissors or a cutting mat and rotary cutter.  I prefer a cutting mat and rotary cutter simply because I find it easier to cut a straight line, than with scissors.  But any curves to be cut I use regular scissors.  For your quilt to line up right when you start to sew it together, it is essential that your squares be square.   I find making a template for my square size extremely helpful.   You will need two templates.  One for your colored squares and one for your white squares.   You can use any stiff material, old cardboard works great.  Just cut to the desired size for your square.  If your colored material square is twelve inches, then I would make my template for the white squares eight inches.  This way you will have a four inch border around your photo square.   All this is based of course on your square being twelve inches.  If your square is a different size, no problem just be sure to make your white square template smaller than your colored square templates.

Cut one square for each photo.  If you are using two different colors of material, divide your photos in half, so you will have the equal numbers of squares.  After you are done with your colored material, then cut one square of your white material for each photo.  If you will be washing and drying your memory quilt from time to time, pre-wash your material before you cut your squares.  You will probably need to iron your material after it is dried, to make it as wrinkle free as possible.  Iron your white material especially since this is the square your photo will be add to.

The next section will deal with pressing your photo onto your white material.