The big advantage of jelly rolls is the variety of colors! I do not mind cutting 1 1/2' strips but the thought of chosing 40 coordinating colors make my head hurt! I used a JR for Keepsake quilting and I know that I never could have found the variety of fabric /colors that came in it! also no duplicates!!! they seem expensive but in the long run is probably less expensive then buying 1/4yds of 40 fabrics when you olny need 2 1/2" strips.