My Experience With Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls

As an avid quilter, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting patterns and techniques to try. Recently, I stumbled upon quilt patterns made with jelly rolls, and I have to say, I’m hooked! In this article, I’ll share my experience with these patterns and provide some tips and ideas for those who want to give them a try.

What Are Jelly Rolls?

If you’re not familiar with jelly rolls, they’re pre-cut bundles of fabric strips, usually 2 ½ inches wide by 44 inches long. They’re called jelly rolls because they resemble rolled-up fruit jelly candies. Jelly rolls typically come in coordinating or complementary fabrics, making them perfect for quilting projects.

What Are Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls?

Quilt patterns made with jelly rolls are patterns specifically designed to use these pre-cut fabric strips. The patterns often incorporate strip piecing, which is a technique where the strips are sewn together end-to-end to create a longer strip. The longer strips are then cut into smaller pieces and sewn together to create the quilt top.

Step-by-Step Guide for Current Trends on Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls

Here’s a step-by-step guide for making a simple quilt using jelly rolls:

Select a jelly roll that you like. There are many different color and fabric options available, so choose one that speaks to you.
Unroll the jelly roll and separate the strips by color or pattern if desired.
Sew the strips together end-to-end to create longer strips. You can do this in any order you like, or you can follow a specific pattern if the jelly roll comes with instructions.
Cut the longer strips into smaller pieces. The size of the pieces will depend on the pattern you’re using.
Sew the smaller pieces together to create the quilt top. Again, the pattern will dictate how the pieces should be arranged.
Add batting and backing to the quilt top and quilt as desired.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas on Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls

Here are some tips and ideas for working with quilt patterns made with jelly rolls:

Choose a jelly roll with colors and patterns that you love.
Experiment with different patterns to see which ones you like best.
Use a design wall to lay out your pieces and get a sense of how the finished quilt top will look.
Consider adding sashing or borders to your quilt top to make it larger or to add interest.
Use a walking foot when quilting to prevent puckering.
Practice your free-motion quilting on scrap fabric before quilting your jelly roll quilt.
Consider using a solid color jelly roll as a background for a scrappy quilt top.
Try using a jelly roll to create a modern, geometric quilt.
Use leftover jelly roll strips to create coordinating pillowcases or a matching table runner.
Have fun and don’t be afraid to try new things!

Pros and Cons of Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls

As with any quilting technique, there are pros and cons to using quilt patterns made with jelly rolls.

Pros:

Jelly rolls are pre-cut, which saves time and energy.
Using a jelly roll ensures that the fabrics in your quilt top will coordinate or complement each other.
Strip piecing is a quick and easy technique that can be used to create a variety of quilt patterns.
Jelly roll quilts can be made in a variety of sizes, from small baby quilts to large bed-sized quilts.

Cons:

Using a pre-cut jelly roll limits your fabric choices.
Not all quilt patterns are designed to use jelly rolls, so you may need to adapt or modify a pattern to make it work.
Strip piecing can sometimes result in wavy or distorted strips, which can be challenging to work with.

My Personal Review and Suggestion on Quilt Patterns Made With Jelly Rolls

I absolutely love quilt patterns made with jelly rolls! They’re a quick and easy way to create a beautiful, coordinated quilt top without having to spend hours selecting fabrics and cutting strips. I’ve made several jelly roll quilts over the past few months, and I’ve been thrilled with how they’ve turned out.

One suggestion I have for those new to jelly roll quilting is to start with a simple pattern. Strip piecing can be a bit tricky at first, so it’s best to choose a pattern that doesn’t require a lot of complicated piecing. Once you’re comfortable with the technique, you can move on to more complex patterns.

Question & Answer and FAQs

Q: Can I use jelly rolls for other quilting projects?

A: Absolutely! Jelly rolls can be used for a variety of quilting projects, including table runners, pillowcases, and even bags and totes.

Q: Can I mix and match jelly rolls from different fabric lines?

A: Yes, you can mix and match jelly rolls from different fabric lines, but be sure to pay attention to the color and pattern coordination. Mixing too many different fabrics can result in a quilt top that looks busy or chaotic.

Q: How many jelly rolls do I need for a quilt?

A: The number of jelly rolls you’ll need will depend on the size of the quilt you want to make. As a general rule, one jelly roll will make a small baby quilt, while two or three jelly rolls will make a larger quilt.

Q: Can I use jelly rolls for foundation paper piecing?

A: While it’s technically possible to use jelly rolls for foundation paper piecing, it’s not recommended. The pre-cut strips may not be the exact size you need for the pattern, which can result in wonky or misshapen blocks.