Thank You, if you go to missouri star co. there is a video step by step that is where I went I know you cut 18" off the first stripe I sewed mine at an angle it looks nicer also when you sew all the stripes you bring them up & sew the next row you have to cut the bottom across. if you can't find missouri star co. let me know . like I said I didn't use the jelly roll I made my own stripes its cheaper , but yes use them as they come off the roll.