We love jelly rolls !!
They make quilting fast, easy, and fun. The jelly roll has become the standard for pre-cut fabric. It has helped new quilters learn to quilt and challenged seasoned quilters to redesign their blocks.
Hundreds of jelly roll quilt patterns and books have been written since they came on the quilt scene in 2006.
What makes the jelly roll so versatile?
What are Jelly Rolls? And Where Did They Get That Name?
A Jelly roll is often a bundle 40 of 2 ½” strips. The name originated from the Moda fabric company.
According to Carrie Nelson at Moda, “The name Jelly Roll came about for a couple of reasons: Most quilters like sweets; the roll does look a bit like a jelly-roll pastry; and our marketing director, Lissa Alexander, has a gift for seeing possibilities, i.e., the ‘big picture.’ She created a theme, or concept, from the start, and she is the one who came up with the name.”
Well, we certainly have benefited from this pre-cut creation. Jelly roll quilts remain quite popular.
They are constantly in demand and other fabric companies have started creating them for their customers. Hundreds of patterns exist, and many quilt blocks have been redesigned to accommodate the 2 ½” wide strips. Here are some favorite quilt blocks you can use as a base for your jelly roll quilt ideas.
13 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns
Here we have eleven jelly roll tutorials for your jelly roll. If the pattern calls for more than one jelly roll, do not feel like you have to use two of the same. It is perfectly fine to mix and match jelly rolls, especially if you want to achieve a scrappy look.
1. Moda Bake Shop – Seasoned Pinwheels Quilt
This quilt may cause a stir of anxiety at first glance, but do not fear, it only looks intimidating.
If you scroll past the ingredients (Moda’s term for supplies), you will see the construction of the blocks. Notice that each strip has a square sewn to it and then cut away. This is similar to constructing a snowball block. Sew each strip into a unit, and you will have this quilt together quite quickly.
2. Carter Quilter- Jelly Roll Posies for Baby
This beautiful baby quilt has 5 focal posey blocks bordered by checkerboard blocks. The centers of the posy blocks feature a dark square. Pay attention to the sewing directions for this part as each block is attached to it with a half seam.
3. Oliver + S- Modern Workshop
This very modern quilt has a bargello theme so be careful to pay attention to color when choosing your strips.
If you are a beginner, this quilt may prove difficult because of the sheer number of seams.
Note: When you encounter a block with lots of seams, consider pressing them open instead to one side. The block tends to finish closer to the size it should be when you press the seam open.
4. Jelly Rolls Fabric- Easy Jelly Roll Irish Chain
Irish chain quilts are quite popular because they only require you to make 2 different blocks.
It is how you sew them together that gives the chain appearance to the quilt. The pattern includes instructions to make several different sizes. This is a good quilt pattern to try for a beginner quilter.
5. From Bolt to Beauty- Ridiculously Easy Jelly Roll Quilt
How much easier can it be then to sew strips to other strips and make a quilt?
This jelly roll quilt tutorial takes you step by step through piecing and cutting. The directions are detailed so a beginner can make this quilt. Pay attention to her directions regarding trimming off the ends. Otherwise, your jelly roll quilt will not look like hers.
6. Bee in My Bonnet Co. – Jelly Roll Jam 2
Lori Holt joins forces with The Fat Quarter Shop to create this charming farm themed jelly roll quilt. The pattern link is below the picture of her iPad and jelly roll strips. Kimberly’s instructions are clear and easy to follow.
7. Oh Sew Tempting- Jelly Roll Strip Quilt Tutorial
First, this amazing quilt needs a great name. The color scheme and design are amazing. Although the pattern appears difficult, her step by step instructions makes the patterned quilt easy to follow. It is fun to make an easy block that appears complex.
Just be sure to pay attention to the direction of the blocks when sewing them together and your quilt will turn out just as inspiring.
8. Christa Quilt- The Jolly Jelly Roll Quilt
This jelly roll quilt is quite jolly. It uses bright colors with a simple design. The instructions are broken up into separate posts but are well written and easy to follow. How will you decide on which jelly roll to use? She suggests picking any jelly roll with a coordinating fabric for the sashing and binding.
9. Jordan Fabrics – Strip Set Log Cabin
This pattern is a traditional log cabin block made using a jelly roll. You will have to click on the pattern link below the picture for the instructions.
10. Stitchery Dickory Dock- To The Point Quick And Easy Jelly Roll Quilt
Can you really get two quilts from one jelly roll? Pair the jelly roll with some yardage and you certainly can.
How big are the quilts? 51” square. That makes a nice size for a baby quilt or small lap quilt. This pattern is quite versatile as she shows that the blocks can be set 6 different ways.
Consider this design if you have several jelly rolls and want to make a variety of quilts for friends and family.
11. Wee Folk Art- Jelly Roll Race Quilt
This jelly roll quilt was created a few years back after someone figured out that sewing all the jelly roll strips together makes for a nice sized lap quilt. Along the way, quilters got together and decided to race against each other to finish a quilt top. Quilt shops got on board and quilters everywhere were making jelly roll quilts. Its fun, it is easy, and you will have a beautiful quilt when you are finished.
12. Ophelia
Here is a beautiful jelly roll-friendly pattern by Amanda Wilbert. Her strategic placement of these fun blocks and blank white space makes an eye-catching design.
This modern quilt pattern is perfect for beginners or seasoned pros. The finished size of the quilt will measure 71”x85”, which is an ideal size for an extra large throw or a twin-size bed.
13. Tangled
Check out this incredible woven block design. If you have an extra jellyroll lying around and are unsure what to do with it, consider using it to make this beautiful quilt pattern.
It includes instructions for five different quilt sizes, making this well worth the money. This is an excellent choice for a beginner quilter, and it will be a lot of fun to make.
More Related Articles:
The Ultimate Guide To Better Hand Quilting
All You Need To Know About Fat Quarter Sizes
The 6 Best Quilting Irons For 2020
Jelly Roll Quilting Tips
Jelly Roll quilt pattern designer Susan Ache has some great tips for making an easy jelly roll quilt.
She suggests measuring each strip after unrolling the fabrics to make sure each one is 2 ½” wide. If you have never worked with a jelly roll before you may notice that the edges are pinked. This is to prevent fraying.
However, the pinking process still leaves quite a bit of fuzz along the edges. Susan suggests carefully cutting that edge away with a sharp rotary blade and ruler. Be sure to remove just the pinked edge. This step will prevent fuzzies from getting down inside your sewing machine.
Quick Quilting Tip:
Remove the throat plate on your sewing machine. With a small brush clean out the lint that accrues in the bobbin area between quilt projects. Even a little bit of fluff can prevent the sewing machine from operating correctly.
Another great idea Susan shares involves a collapsible drying rack. Long ago people used them to dry socks, underwear, and hosiery instead of putting these delicate articles in the dryer. Open the drying rack and hang your strips across it. This step will make it easy to find coordinating strips quickly when working on a jelly roll quilt.
How do you sew the quilting strips without them puckering?
One thing to check before the start of any quilt project is that the needle is sharp.
A dull needle will cause puckering and experts suggest changing the needle at the beginning of a new project.
What size needle is right you may ask? An 80/12 will work nicely for sewing jelly roll strips.
Be sure to keep the strips straight and guide them at the front and behind the needle with both hands. Keep firm pressure on the fabric, but do not stretch or pull them through the machine.
What is the best way to press the quilting strips?
It is quite a matter of opinion on the subject of pressing. Some prefer to press the seam toward the darker strip, while others prefer to open the seam. If you do prefer to press to one side, you may want to sew a scant ¼” instead of a full quarter inch seam.
This will reduce bulk in the seam and allow for better accuracy.
Do you have Jelly Rolls that have been sitting around for a while?
These patterns should provide you with inspiration to get them out and start sewing. Even if you are a beginner, there are jelly roll quilt patterns here that you can sew.
Enjoy the process and have fun. That is what quilting is all about.
love your patterns and yes you have inspired me to use some of my jelly rolls.
I have lots of mixed solid jelly rolls the shades are different colors any ideas for me I am going to be a great grandma so I am so excited and need to get a move on from what I see you’re patterns are awesome and hope that I’ll figure something out ,you’re so kind to share Thank you Connie