Quick Answer
To use a jelly roll bundle, start by sorting the strips, then sew them into a jelly roll race quilt or cut them into smaller pieces for other patterns. Always check the strip width and seam allowance before you begin.
Why Jelly Rolls Are a Quilter's Favorite
Jelly rolls are precut fabric bundles consisting of 2.5-inch wide strips that run the full width of the fabric. They save you time on cutting and offer a coordinated palette, making them ideal for quick projects and scrap-friendly quilts.
Because the strips are already cut, you can focus on sewing and design rather than measuring and cutting. This makes them perfect for beginners and experienced quilters alike.
Know Your Strip Width and Seam Allowance
Before you start, measure a few strips to confirm they are 2.5 inches wide. Although precuts are consistent, a quick check prevents unexpected size issues in your finished blocks.
Use a quarter-inch seam allowance unless your pattern says otherwise. This is the standard for jelly roll quilting and ensures your blocks come out the right size.
Step-by-Step: Using a Jelly Roll Bundle
- Sort and Inspect Your Strips: Unroll your jelly roll bundle and lay out the strips. Group them by color or pattern if you want a specific design. Check each strip for selvage edges and trim them off. Trimming selvages now prevents them from showing in your seams later.
- Choose Your Pattern: Decide whether you want a jelly roll race quilt (sew all strips end-to-end) or cut strips into smaller pieces for blocks like squares or triangles. For a race quilt, you'll need about 40 strips for a lap-size quilt. If you're new, start with a simple race quilt to get comfortable with the process.
- Sew Strips with a Quarter-Inch Seam: Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew strips together end-to-end for a race quilt, or sew them into pairs for block-based patterns. Press seams to one side or open as your pattern directs. Always test your seam allowance on a scrap strip first to avoid a quilt that's too small.
- Cut and Assemble Your Quilt Top: If you're making a race quilt, fold the long strip in half and cut it into sections, then sew those sections together. For other patterns, cut your sewn strip sets into the required shapes and arrange them before sewing. Lay out your blocks before sewing to adjust the design—once sewn, it's harder to change.
- Finish with Quilting and Binding: Layer your quilt top with batting and backing, then quilt as desired. Finally, add binding to the edges to finish your project. Choose a binding fabric that complements your jelly roll palette for a polished look.
Product Spotlight
-
Lavender Fields Jelly Roll Bundle: The Lavender Fields Jelly Roll Bundle features a serene purple palette with lilac, violet, and cream tones, and includes charming floral patterns. This coordinated bundle lets you skip color matching and start sewing right away, perfect for a calming, elegant quilt.
Lavender Fields Jelly Roll Bundle
