I do cut them in half lengthwise, but I'm sure it's not completely necessary. I've tried both, and I feel like I can control the pressure I'm getting more with the strips cut lengthwise. It's easier to stretch, so also easier to wrap. Wrapping a whole bow is very tiresome on the arms! One inner tube, cut into two strips, is almost enough to do a whole bow. I wrap the bow blank twice, after tying three parts (1½ tube) together. I go from tip to tip, and then back again. Keep the end in place by tying two half hitches.