I'm planning a quilt for my boyfriend, and when trying to calculate how much yardage I would have to buy, I need to know if all the pieces need to be going the same way (up/down) or if they can alternate (up/down and side/side). I'll be working with all solids to make this in a quilt form.

I've already drawn it out on graph paper and figured out the best way to piece it to have minimal small pieces to work with. I figure it will be fairly easy, as it should be like making a patchwork top. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Please note that while I have not yet made a quilt before, I also do not intend for this to be my first project. I'm planning to start with something small, like place mats, then maybe a baby blanket, and then move on to this. But, as this is the biggest reason for my interest in quilting (because I was originally going to knit the whole thing, but that will take years at my pace) I want get as much info on the best ways to make this turn out as possible.