The wood I'm using was a bit rough on all sides. After I cut it into strips, I set my router up in a router table to run the strips through. Shaving 1/64 inch off of each edge was enough to get the edges smooth for most of my strips. If you go through a similar step, you may want to consider putting a 3-5 degree bevel on one edge of each strip to save yourself some of the hand beveling. (I didn't do this, but I've read recommendations to do so from people with much more experience than I have.)

Good luck.

-T-