Greetings from Northern California. I have made a tumbling block quilt for hubby and used the Y-seam method. The pillow from the left-over blocks was sewn by hand. It was actually not such a big deal. For me, the key is to mark each shape 1/4" in from each corner so I don't sew past the inset point.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-70976-1.htm