So what I've had to do is, if you can picture a chevron in front of you.....the top left and bottom left stripes are vertical and the top right and bottom right stripes are horizontal. I think that looked better than both top pieces vertical and both bottom pieces horizontal or vice versa. They sort of look like oblongs or parallelograms or whatever! As for the other nasty fabric..hmmm lets just say I have some interestingly gravity challenging sea waves happening! Not going to mention it to DD or GS and just see how long it takes for them to notice! I'm mixing all the different blue chevrons together so none the same lie side by side so I'm hoping all will get absorbed in the medley of shades and patterns. haha...fingers crossed. Will post pics when the top is assembled.