Terrific - I kind of figured you could pretty well compose each block the way that catches your eye --- and also figured that for Maxine to state that you should put the straight of grain to the edges there had to be a reason. Sooooooo - I am sewing with the grain on the outer edges EXCEPT where I just don't like that particular block and then I'm sewing it however it falls. gaigai, what page? - I can only find where she shows the three possible arrangements in pictures. LOL - I'm not stressing over this ... it's just that this is the first quilt I am attempting by following instructions. All my others have been scrappies (which one day I'll post on here). Thanks so much for the tips - Lord knows I need all the help I can get.