HI. I made a Trip Around the World quilt (called Colorsplash) for the Lap quilt contest that ended recently. THANKS for all of you that voted for my quilt! I never LIKED cutting from a tube. I prefer to cut my strips individually, then sew each one into a tube. You can't be positive that you are cutting straight when you can't see the fabric underneath. If the strip set is wider than 24", I made TWO sets, then attach a cut strip from each set then stitch them into a tube. Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!!!