Nothing beats IRL placement audition!
Put them on your design wall, whether it is a real one, the floor, a wall, or top of a bed this week.
And keep shuffling them around until you get them to where the view is pleasing to you.
Take a photo, in case they get shuffled en route to your sewing day.
Then you can be ready to sit and sew
....... just be sure to check you are putting them in the right order as you do so!
Good Luck! and enjoy the day with your friends.