That's a super cute block!
There are many ways to join quilted blocks. I posted a tute here in the tutorials section and Paper Princess has already given the link to it. It's an easy method that doesn't involve any hand stitching at all. The sashing will be about 1/2" wide.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...l-t283918.html
Please show us that quilt when you get it completed!