Looks like you raided MY fabric stash -- I have so many of the same ones. I like it -- each chunk of fabric has it's own story... left over from another quilt, a dressmaking project, a friend's leftover. (I get emotional over my fabric and suffer from "severe cutter's remorse".) How about using a "string strip" down the sides. If you cut the pieces at a bit of an angle it would carry on the "scrappy" look. (I think I would like your fdi. She has a good respect for fabric.)