Do you have enough fabric to make strip sets? If you do, I hope this explanation makes sense to you. The center horizontal and vertical row would have to be individually pieced, but the remaining four corner sections could be made by cutting segments of fabric from the strip sets that have been sewn into a continuous tube like you do when you make a bargello design. Even short strip sets that yield only a few cuts would work. This would keep your colors in order and you'd be sewing larger pieces together rather than all those small squares. Clear as mud? If this sounds workable to you and I can help explain it better, let me know and I'll try and help any way I can. Regarding corduroy, it frays badly even from handling and since it is a looser weave, the seams can easily pull out, so I'd recommend larger (1/2") seams, especially if the item will be washed. Good luck.