A method (500) of making charges (160) comprises forming a combined perimeter shape (130) having no circumferentially enclosed openings by geometrically combining primary perimeter shapes (132), corresponding to perimeter shapes of the charges (160), and secondary perimeter shapes (133), such that symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132) are parallel to each other, lateral edges (134) of the primary perimeter shapes (132), adjacent to each other, are at least partially contiguous, and all boundary edges of the combined perimeter shape (130) are either parallel or perpendicular to the symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132). The method also comprises contiguously depositing prepreg tows (172) to form prepreg composite plies (126) and laminating the prepreg composite plies (126) together to form a precursor sheet (128) having a precursor combined perimeter shape (174) that circumscribes the combined perimeter shape (130). The method additionally comprises cutting the precursor sheet (128).