A big step! Cutting tubes, preparing to sew to backing

This is where we need to really pay attention and go slow. Here the time needed to correct mistakes increases exponentially...AMHIK*
We need 7 tubes.
Each tube is composed of two strip sets sewn together - one strip set of each color combination, with a 4.5"X10" end block of the matching color sewn onto each end.
Each tube has two strip sets and four blocks. This makes more sense if you look at the picture. You can't see the blue/water strip set sewn onto the other side of the starry blue/white strip set, but it's there.
We will be cutting the tubes in a staggered manner so that when they are laid out, they will form our pattern.

Here's the method of our tube-cutting madness:


I have a 12"X18" cutting mat that I put inside each tube, in order to cut through just one side or layer of the tube. 
I cut through the solid blue strip sets with the water strip in the middle (NOT the starry blue strip sets with the white strip down the middle).
Tube #1 was cut in the middle of the solid blue half of the tube.
Tube #1 is no longer a tube - it is cut strip set #1. It will be pinned and sewn to the middle of the backing, and the other cut strip sets staggered from there. 
Tube #2 was cut 4" from the center of the solid blue side of the tube (not the starry side). #2 is no longer a tube, but cut strip set #2. Repeat...
Tube #3 was cut 8" from the center of the solid blue side of the tube (and is now cut strip set #3), and
Tube #4 was cut 12" from the center of the solid blue side of the tube (and is now cut strip set #4).
We basically will do the same with cut strip sets #5, #6 and #7, with the measurements matching #2, #3, and #4.
I squared up the edges (trimmed them with the rotary cutter so they are even). Feeding the OCS monster again :)

*ask me how I know

starter scrap in place, sewing with 1/4" quilting foot

My starter scrap is still attached, go me. I usually wait until I need to sew onto it again to snip it off (and you would think it would be called a starter/ender scrap, but mercifully no, no one does that).*
The foot I'm using (on both machines) is not your standard sewing foot - it's a handy-dandy 1/4" quilting foot. It has a vertical metal piece on the right that helps you keep your fabric lined up exactly 1/4" to the right of the needle.
I use it a lot (see "feeding and care of your inner OCDer"). It is awesome!
*Yes, I know about leaders and enders. Please Google it if you want to know more...

more squaring strip set ends

I already trimmed the starry blue/white strip sets, and here I've trimmed the blue/water strip sets.

more trimming selvage/ends

I trimmed the other end as well. This led to a design decision that would be ridiculously confusing and pointless to describe, LOL... remember, what matters most is that you're happy in the end!

preparing strip ends for end blocks

I like to check the waste to make sure I got all of the selvage off, instead of disturbing each of the layers to check, since they are stacked and ready for the other ends to be trimmed already.

pressing strip sets

And yes, I pressed them closed and then open...

always press seams to the dark side (bwahaha)

We'll be doing a LOT of pressing with this project. We want our sewing to be as accurate as possible, and pressing seams open right after sewing really helps with accuracy.

Some people even press the seam before opening it up. They press the seam closed and then press it open. I will admit to having done it. I am still not sure it helps, but it definitely feeds my inner OCD monster. Nom nom. LOL

I use a dry iron. No steam holes means even pressing. No need to drag the iron around to make sure to press where the steam holes missed.
My favorite iron of all time is the Continental Dry Iron. I've had 2. Both had screws or something loose that rattled around on the inside, but as long as they worked, I didn't care.

So that was the problem: after being dropped five too many times, my last one finally quit.

My current iron is lighter (a minus), Black and Decker, and I don't love it, although it has survived one catastrophic fall so far. While on, face down on the year-old hardwood floor, of course. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo