I did a class in bargello a few years ago and we had to bring about 12 different coloured materials that went with each other that were half a metre each... ranging from dark to light.... there had to be at least two light... pity you couldn't see somebody make one in class or maybe you have a friend who could show you... yes I did the tube thing too... it is not hard but does look it... would love to do another... the shopkeeper where you buy the materials might be able to show you if she is not busy !!! You have to be very particular in the cutting and remember before you cut you straighten the edge of the material by cutting, then put the ruler over the cut to the width you want it, remembering that you have to check two sides to see if they are on the straight of the ruler... it won't work if the cutting isn't right.... "I know"... I wasted some of mine but the teacher came along at the right time before I went further... yes, the cutting starts at 1 inch, then one and a half (or quarter) and so on up to about 2 inches... please have instructions and pictures from a book before you tackle this task otherwise you will waste your material as it can't be used for anything else...