quiltingbea, I would have done that if I had of had enough long strips to do it.
however because I am trying to use mainly scraps and want it to be truly random the strips would not work.
one day I do want to make a jelly roll quilt, then I would do that with the strips. for now though, taking the long way. At least I am not hand sewing it hehe
actually cutting is going pretty good, just finished up another 50, so have 200 strips now.
am having to dip into some of my fat quarters, and half yard stuff, so those end up making strips pretty quickly, AND I figured out to fold over the fabric, to cut twice as fast...
Thank you all for commenting, and a big thank you to everyone who posts tips on these forums, I have learned a lot.