Very nice quilt, Hillcountrygal. I chuckled a bit reading this. Everyone has their own style (and quirks) that they have to accommodate. I have never cut a strip to use for a string quilt. I just save leftover strips in a bag--any size--and use those--any color, any width, sometimes uneven. I also like a control center fabric--usually black--but see no problem with a mostly blue quilt. Sounds wonderful to me.