I love the fabrics, but I think I would separate the same color blocks so they are not touching. I think it would add more interest and pop to the quilt. If you use the 10" squares, it is so much easier to sew. I did all the blocks in one evening and I did not know what I was doing either. I first made a smaller 5" square and it was hard..the 10" was much easier. I turned the sides in this afternoon and just have to arrange it and put the blocks together.