I cut my strips at 9.5 inches to get more width, then cut the separators at 2 inches for the outer band and 3.5 for the inner band. I also made the borders 10.5 inches. I like big quilts. Can't stand having DH hog the blankets so everything has to be king size. The purple pattern in the book is the biggest, it has 5 braids and is lovely too.