Thanks all! I appreciate your suggestions and will ponder them...
Although it is too late for the attach-strips-as-you-go approach, you have now given me the idea that I can change where seams land if it looks like they will become inconvenient - I am sure this wouldn't have occurred to me if you hadn't mentioned it! Such a creature of habit.
QuiltE - which one is the quilt?!?
Alison