Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Jelly Rolls

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Jelly Rolls.  If there is anyone out there who doesn’t know what this hot new quilting temptation is, a jelly roll is an entire fabric collection that has been laser cut into 2 1/2" strips, rolled up like a bakery confection and tied with a bow.  Each pack contains one 44" long strip of each fabric in the group.  They retail for around $30, and appear to be selling like, well, like hotcakes (sorry, couldn’t resist).

I finally picked up a couple of these treats, with the thought that I could perhaps satisfy my craving to have the latest fabric offerings and spend a lot less money than I typically do when I purchase the entire fat quarter bundle for $100.  Also, all the cutting is done for you, so you can leap right in and start your project.  Quilt shops all across the country are starting up "Strip Clubs" where enthusiasts meet regularly and make projects out of jelly rolls. Believe me, these jelly rolls have a LOT of fans.

The advantages of these jelly rolls seems clear, however there are a couple of other considerations that occur to me.  First of all (and most obvious), one is limited to a pattern design that incorporates 2 1/2" fabric strips or squares.   You have to embrace that fact, and have a pattern in mind, or join in one of the many class offerings available at your local quilt shop.  I am learning also, that it isn’t easy to find a design that utilizes just ONE of these little gems in the making of a quilt.  One of them on its own will make a crib quilt or a table topper, or,if you add in other fabrics, they can be extended to the size of a smallish quilt.  To achieve the variety I like in a quilt, and in order to get something of a reasonable size, I think two jelly rolls are necessary. 

I recently discovered this book by Anka’s Treasures "On A Roll".  It has pattern designs for several quilts as well as table toppers.  Not wanting to be left out of the latest trend, I decided to jump on the jelly roll bandwagon, and buy one and get started.

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My jelly roll of choice was one called Madeira, an upcoming Blackbird Designs group for Moda.  The pattern I picked from the On A Roll book is called Jelly Roll Junction, an appealing design that cleverly makes each block appear to be made of miters.  These are the blocks I made in relatively short time:

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I love the fabric and thoroughly enjoyed making these four blocks.  The quilt is comprised of 18 blocks, each one having a light colored center strip.  It appears that with the strip selection I have in this jelly roll, I will only get 10 blocks.  In order to accomplish the fabric and color combinations of my choice, I need to go out and see if I can find one more Madeira jelly roll.  They are fast and fun and I am glad I gave them a try (and may even use them again), but I don’t see jelly rolls replacing my fatquarter fabric bundle addiction!

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50 responses to “Jelly Rolls”

  1. I love the colors in your jellyroll!! I haven’t bought any rolls but I love the concept of 2.5 inch strips. The’re a few books dedicated to the strips as well as Bonnies site http://www.quiltvile.com that has several patterns for these strips……good luck although it doesn’t look like you need it!!!!!

  2. I love the colors in your jellyroll!! I haven’t bought any rolls but I love the concept of 2.5 inch strips. The’re a few books dedicated to the strips as well as Bonnies site http://www.quiltvile.com that has several patterns for these strips……good luck although it doesn’t look like you need it!!!!!

  3. I have recently come into a FQ bundle obsession! Do you have a good FQ pattern book that you like?
    I haven’t become a strip lover yet, but I think this addiction is coming. Your blocks are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the whole thing!

  4. I have recently come into a FQ bundle obsession! Do you have a good FQ pattern book that you like?
    I haven’t become a strip lover yet, but I think this addiction is coming. Your blocks are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see the whole thing!

  7. Oh my word, Nicole – those blocks with those fabrics are GORGEOUS! I love that design and it seems like it whipped up in a jiffy (but then again, you are a speed demon!) Now, if I look at the photos on websites, the jelly rolls appear to have pinked edges – is that truly the case? Yours don’t appear to. Anyway, what fun! A great option if you don’t want to commit to the whole FQ bundle, which sometimes I don’t (believe it or not!)

  8. Oh my word, Nicole – those blocks with those fabrics are GORGEOUS! I love that design and it seems like it whipped up in a jiffy (but then again, you are a speed demon!) Now, if I look at the photos on websites, the jelly rolls appear to have pinked edges – is that truly the case? Yours don’t appear to. Anyway, what fun! A great option if you don’t want to commit to the whole FQ bundle, which sometimes I don’t (believe it or not!)

  11. Lovely, lovely! The Jelly Rolls will definitely not replace a fat quarter bundle addiction but they do feed the need when you think you want a bundle but just not sure. Does that make sense? I have purchase several Jelly Rolls but have found that in order to make a decent sized project you must purchase at least two Jelly Rolls. Now that $60+ so more than half way to a fat quarter bundle. LOL
    As an aside – the Jelly Rolls contain 40 strips of a line of fabric – not every piece in a line. And, if the line does not have 40 pieces they will duplicate some of the pieces. Additionally, they will only include those pieces that Moda feels will work cut into 2.5 strips – does all that make sense?

  12. Lovely, lovely! The Jelly Rolls will definitely not replace a fat quarter bundle addiction but they do feed the need when you think you want a bundle but just not sure. Does that make sense? I have purchase several Jelly Rolls but have found that in order to make a decent sized project you must purchase at least two Jelly Rolls. Now that $60+ so more than half way to a fat quarter bundle. LOL
    As an aside – the Jelly Rolls contain 40 strips of a line of fabric – not every piece in a line. And, if the line does not have 40 pieces they will duplicate some of the pieces. Additionally, they will only include those pieces that Moda feels will work cut into 2.5 strips – does all that make sense?

  13. I have a new Jelly Roll staring me in the face waiting to be cut into. Taunting me actually! Holly Jolly by Sandy Gervais. I also bought a charm pack of the same… now I just need an idea! I do so love Anka’s Treasures and I’m loving the pattern you did!
    The 2-1/2” width first appeared to limit me from the beloved half squares and quarter squares… but with the Easy Angle ruler and the Companion Angle ruler… TAHDAH right there in my ruler holder thingamabob is my solution and the 2-1/2” strip suddenly *seams larger! (* lame quilting humor, LOL)

  14. I have a new Jelly Roll staring me in the face waiting to be cut into. Taunting me actually! Holly Jolly by Sandy Gervais. I also bought a charm pack of the same… now I just need an idea! I do so love Anka’s Treasures and I’m loving the pattern you did!
    The 2-1/2” width first appeared to limit me from the beloved half squares and quarter squares… but with the Easy Angle ruler and the Companion Angle ruler… TAHDAH right there in my ruler holder thingamabob is my solution and the 2-1/2” strip suddenly *seams larger! (* lame quilting humor, LOL)

  15. I guess I’ll have to check out these Jelly Rolls. I’m sure if I like charms, I’ll like these, too! I still love my fat quarter bundles, though.
    The blocks are gorgeous!

  16. I guess I’ll have to check out these Jelly Rolls. I’m sure if I like charms, I’ll like these, too! I still love my fat quarter bundles, though.
    The blocks are gorgeous!

  17. Oh yes. The jelly roll obsession. I haven’t bought any yet, but it is very hard not to. It’s a great idea, and it looks like so much fun, to have all those strips already cut!
    I love your blocks, they’re beautiful!
    God bless 🙂

  18. Oh yes. The jelly roll obsession. I haven’t bought any yet, but it is very hard not to. It’s a great idea, and it looks like so much fun, to have all those strips already cut!
    I love your blocks, they’re beautiful!
    God bless 🙂

  23. No but here is a thought…. use them but also enhance with some yardage…. Now that would be fun! I like those blocks you got done so far though!

  24. No but here is a thought…. use them but also enhance with some yardage…. Now that would be fun! I like those blocks you got done so far though!

  25. Are you still looking for another jelly roll? Try here: http://tinyurl.com/2yghqk
    I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with–it’s looking very nice so far! And, goodness (in more ways than one!), have you seen the jelly roll TINS? I love those. I was over at the FQ shop yesterday or the day before and saw them.

  26. Are you still looking for another jelly roll? Try here: http://tinyurl.com/2yghqk
    I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with–it’s looking very nice so far! And, goodness (in more ways than one!), have you seen the jelly roll TINS? I love those. I was over at the FQ shop yesterday or the day before and saw them.

  29. Nicole you are a clever woman these are so nice I dont know how you get the time to do all the things you do you must be wonder woman.My granddaughter Amanda Beths daughter has just started quilting this week she bought a jelly roll it cost her 66 dollars Australian money.

  30. Nicole you are a clever woman these are so nice I dont know how you get the time to do all the things you do you must be wonder woman.My granddaughter Amanda Beths daughter has just started quilting this week she bought a jelly roll it cost her 66 dollars Australian money.

  31. Those jellyroll photos are to die for! Drool! I haven’t tried one yet because I’m way so not discplined enough. But maybe someday! ~A 🙂

  32. Those jellyroll photos are to die for! Drool! I haven’t tried one yet because I’m way so not discplined enough. But maybe someday! ~A 🙂

  33. Wanted to say I’ve been enjoying your blog since I discovered it this week 😀 I recognize the top jelly roll fabric line, but what line is the second one from?
    Keep up the great work! You are inspiring a new quilter 😉

  34. Wanted to say I’ve been enjoying your blog since I discovered it this week 😀 I recognize the top jelly roll fabric line, but what line is the second one from?
    Keep up the great work! You are inspiring a new quilter 😉

  37. does anyone know where I can find a quick pattern for a jelly roll? If I don’t have to go out and buy another thing that would be great. Plus I am going to try to start today. Thanks!

  38. does anyone know where I can find a quick pattern for a jelly roll? If I don’t have to go out and buy another thing that would be great. Plus I am going to try to start today. Thanks!

  39. A friend prewashed her jelly roll pack (cold water & low temp in dryer) and ended up with 2 1/4″ strips due to shrinkage. Should they not be prewashed?

  40. A friend prewashed her jelly roll pack (cold water & low temp in dryer) and ended up with 2 1/4″ strips due to shrinkage. Should they not be prewashed?

  41. There’s an excellent simple jelly roll pattern to be found it you Google “Bali Pop Tutorial”.

  42. There’s an excellent simple jelly roll pattern to be found it you Google “Bali Pop Tutorial”.

  47. Where can I get the blue&white fabric used in the title heading? Or the blocks?
    Thanks, JennaQ

  48. Where can I get the blue&white fabric used in the title heading? Or the blocks?
    Thanks, JennaQ