Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I tried following the instructions in the subsequent pages but it just wasn't clicking. Maybe too late in my sewing day at that point. I get the necessity for the partials, the diagrams just weren't 'clicking' yesterday. I've done Y seams and even partial seams in other projects in the past. It shouldn't be this difficult!
Every time I get myself in one of these quandaries I vow to read directions more thoroughly before I pick a project. Well, I guess I've slept since the last time I made that promise to myself. I'm making this for a baby boy quilt and, of course, the fabric I picked for the main focal is very directional. Oh well, it will all work out.
Will give it another shot this AM. Hopefully it will all make a bit more sense today.