Try jelly roll quilt patterns if you’re ready for a quick quilting project with precuts. Then you’re ready for a jelly roll quilt pattern (and there are plenty) with the most versatile precut bundle around – the jelly roll.
In this blog post, I’m bragging on how easy it is to make these pretty quilts with precut bundles with links to find the right one for your style.
Key Highlights
- What are jelly rolls?
- Types of patterns perfect for precut rolls
- Easy to intermediate level sewing projects
After I made a quilt pattern with jelly roll designer fabrics, I was hooked. Along with thousands of quilters. Moda fabrics company invented the ubiquitous bundle in 2006, that we can’t live without. These versatile precut bundles almost make themselves into quilts.
Every part of the quilt making process is streamlined. First, the fabrics are designed and curated by talented designers. You can follow a pattern or decide on placing them in a layout as you wish. Second, the manufacturer cuts them into uniform strips – how great is this?!
Some patterns require additional yardage for the background fabric that aren’t precuts, and you will need backing and batting to finish it.
Typically, the only tools you’ll need are an acrylic ruler, rotary cutter and cutting mat for making smaller pieces and diagonal cuts. The easier the quilt pattern, the fewer cuts required!
What is a jelly roll?
A jelly roll is a bundle of 40 – 42 precut fabric strips. Each strip measures 2 ½” wide by 42 to 45 inches in length, which is called the width of fabric (WOF) on a typical bolt of quilting cotton. The strips are rolled into a circular bundle.
Each bundle provides 40 – 42 strips of cotton fabric. Some are half that size with 20 fabric strips of fabric so check the label.
Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns
What kinds of designs are used in quilt patterns using jelly rolls? Whether you swoon over bold geometry or intricate designs, there is a fast and fun pattern for everyone to try:
- Irish Chain
- Classic Race
- Chevron / Zigzag
- Bargello
- Herringbone
- Log Cabin
Make a simple design with long strips or one with smaller pieces and diagonal seams. And that’s not all: Find jelly roll quilt patterns for every taste – traditional, modern, improvisational and scrappy. Hundreds and hundreds of designer patterns are waiting for you.
Jelly Roll Quilt Designs
Jelly roll quilt projects are a perfect introduction to precuts and easy to make. Quilt patterns using jelly rolls range from the classic Jelly Roll Race to intricate herringbone and star designs. Find your next jelly roll quilt projects in the examples below.
Let’s see options for one jelly roll quilt patterns. Note: Some of the patterns require additional background fabric or shapes.
Beginners: One Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns
Irish Chain
Simply pieced, many jelly roll quilt projects use long strip sets cut into smaller pieces to form the blocks. I designed this modern plus sign quilt (a version of an Irish chain quilt) in a rainbow palette with a light background. The blocks are easy to make with one roll of light to dark value fabric colors and additional background fabric.
Jelly Roll Race
Favorited among quilters, the classic jelly roll race is a go-to pattern for a fast and colorful finish. Jelly roll strips are sewn end to end – it’s that simple.
Carole Lyles Shaw, a talented modern quilt designer, designed the Modern Jelly Roll Race quilt using an ombre rainbow colored roll. Adding in bright tropical themed prints created the splash she wanted. She wrote a great tutorial so you can jump right in.
Chevron / Zigzag Combo Jelly Roll Quilt Block
To my surprise, the popular chevron quilt – also known as a zigzag or streak of lightning – is not an invention of modern quilting. My version, Rainbow Streak, is a take on chevron and zigzag jelly roll patterns. It uses 2.5 inch strips sewn together in strip sets, then cut at 60 degree angles. You can make your own version using one jelly roll and 5 1/4 solid background fabric – and it doesn’t have be a rainbow palette. The pattern is in my book Modern Rainbow.
Intermediate Quilt Patterns Using Jelly Rolls
Bargello Jelly Roll Patterns
Bargello patterns feature wide strips to form elegant wave patterns. Create a modern rainbow of your own with cascading color patterns. What I really love is how forgiving the design is when seams don’t match. And you’ll get plenty of practice piecing rows.
I love Krystal Jakelwicz’s Rainbow Bargello tutorial at LetsMakeSomething. She uses a rainbow Kona cotton roll from Robert Kaufman on this gorgeous quilt.
Herringbone Jelly Roll Pattern
Sophisticated and simple to make, learn new ruler skills while sewing this quilt. Rachel walks you through each step on her blog here at Adventures of a DIY Mom.
Log Cabin
A jelly roll log cabin quilt combines is fun to make – set aside extra time to sew it – with lots of pieces to play with. Using your jelly roll fabric, create a colorful quilt top with this timeless design. A block typically finishes at 14-inch square with 2.5-inch strips.
Try out the Cozy Posey Triangle Quilt for a unique triangular log cabin block. This quilt LOOKS complicated but it’s a cinch to make.
Just for Fun
Jelly Twist from Cluck Cluck Sew is a beginner friendly pattern using pre-cut 2 1/2″ strips, fat quarters, or yardage. The large throw size can be made with just print jelly roll plus background fabric. The pattern includes 4 sizes, with color diagrams and pressing directions to ensure nesting seams that go together easily.
Sizzle (photo above) is a free pattern on FatQuarterShop. that provides an illusion of pieced triangles. You end up with fancy looking triangles without the fuss.
A perfect pattern is waiting for you whether you’re a beginner or intermediate quilter. Experiment with different techniques, colors, and fabrics or let the precut bundle do the heavy lifting. Either way, you can make one that truly reflects your style and skills. With the wealth of tutorials and resources available, sewing your own jelly roll strips has never been more accessible and rewarding. Happy quilting!
Frequently Asked Questions – Quilts Using Jelly Rolls
Are jelly roll patterns beginner friendly?
You can make many beginner-friendly projects using jelly rolls, such as the classic jelly roll race quilt. Google or Pinterest “free jelly roll patterns”.
Where can I find a sewing tutorial for jelly roll quilt projects?
Moda Fabrics, Fat Quarter Shop and YouTube offer many free patterns and instructions.
What types of quilting works on a jelly roll quilt?
Straight line stitching patterns work well with long directional strips.
