In addition to your request for a basic reference, I'd also add Pam & Nicky Lintott's "Jelly Roll Quilts" published in 2008. I got it at my local Half Price Books and it's also available on Half Dot Com as well as Amazon. I've made 4 quilts from the book so far - all use 2.5" strips (jelly roll or cut your own) and the patterns range from a basic braid to a flower to an easy Lone Star.