Iceblossom

Sounds like maybe you are asking more about string quilts than strip quilts?

I'm a bit compulsive and like to get all my stuff together before I start, even if I start before cutting everything. I also believe a lot of my success comes from my crisp ironed fabric (I don't use starch myself).

I used to save my badly cut ends from the store cuts in a box just for strings. Again, being compulsive I like to cut those off before I put the fabric in the box. Then I could just grab stuff out of that box and go go go! More lately I put them in a box to send to a lady who accepts my crumbs and such.

edit: It's not always the store's fault for the edges, I prewash and am really strict about getting the grain straight and often it is folded and wound around the bolt off kilter during the manufacturing process.