I'm sad to hear that you're having so much trouble doing this quilt. I made a wall hanging from this book about 12 years ago. It was for my brother... he was dying of cancer and I finished it and hung it for him the week before he passed. I cried every day that I worked on that quilt and struggled with the directions and the fabric waste just as you are doing. But I am so glad that I did that quilt. He had picked out the fabrics and held on while I finished it. My SIL still has it hanging in her living room so I see it whenever I go over for a visit.... we're good friends so I see it a lot.
I haven't made anything else from the book but I really plan to make a bed quilt adapted from the wall hangings in the book. I think I'll be able to do a better job now.... this is not a quilt that a newby should tackle.
So, I hope you decide to go ahead and finish..... they are beautiful quilts and you have picked some great fabrics for yours. Good luck... keep all of us posted on your progress.