Please ensure the technique you are using for the HST blocks does not have outer bias edges (the 4 at a time ones do). I like the Magic 8 technique and trim as I go.
Why avoid the bias edges? I made a quilt with bias edged blocks, trimmed carefully, then set the beautifully trimmed pressed blocks aside for 6 months. They grew in storage and I had to re-trim them all. I lost points and the beautiful secondary pattern is a mess.
I am looking at making two quilts this summer and one will be HST blocks, but finish at 8 inches, so not nearly as many as you will be making.