Don't you just love it when you go ask the 'expert' and they say nope, can't do that.. so you go home and do it anyway!! Great..
I think I would have embroidered, then cut my strips.. mark the strips, make where the embroidery goes, stitch it out... then cut..
or I would have used some stick on stablizer in the hoop and just stuck my fabric to it to embroidery.. I use Florini stablizers and have never had them not do exactly what they are supposed to do..
You did a great job, got it done and it looks nice.. hip hip hurray!!