The Donna Jordon method is basically what I do when I am cutting to fit. Again, go one/two blocks in for your length
The stay stitch is also a great idea, especially if you are ending up with a pieced border but even just solid. In my style of strip quilting I use a tiny stitch and I don't get much loss at the ends of rows/seams. A friend of mine was having terrible problems and when I examined her work closely, she used a huge stitch -- because it was easier to get out. I'll admit that my stitches are a pain to get out and I will do just about anything to avoid undoing -- but on the other hand, the times I needed to undo were rare, and she always had raveling seams and problems every step of her project.