Congratulations on starting your first quilt. You do need to make sure your seams are straight or your blocks won't fit together. Are you doing it by machine or hand. If you would like to see a different way to do a sailboat quilt check my sight
http://appliquequilt designs.com/Sailing-to-Dreamland.html. It is an easy applique pattern.
Janie
http://www.appliquequiltdesigns.com