I bought a kit sometime back with a panel and didn't follow the directions (know where this is going?) My problem was opposite of your's. My panel was perfect (but larger than pattern starting size) I wasn't able to bring myself to cut it down so much and waste that good material. So ..... adjusting outside blocks accordingly (I hope) to make it come out looking right. It's rare for me to get a panel that's perfect to start with, but this one is. Just couldn't justify cutting off so many inches of fabric to start the pattern off. I'll post a photo after it's all put together.