Question about Jelly Roll quilts

[Barb Smith]

I think the only way is to try to lay out the fabrics together and take a photo and then re-arrange to separate the various fabrics and see what that looks like. By doing this, you have just spent a small amount of time and there's no harm done. Just sew the one that appeals to you.

Hope this helps. It's always neat to see what others think.

Barb. from Toronto, Canada

[MRoy]

I've only made one JRR quilt and I mixed up the colors. It's personal preference.

[Debra Revay]

Thanks for the advice. I probably would have forgotten about cutting off the first 16".

[Annav]

IFirst, I don't think you can mess up a jelly roll quilt (the 1600 version). I personally mix mine up first, because I don't want two fabrics that he same together, but sometimes they end up that way anyway once you start sewing them together after you have them sewn end to end. Someone told me to unroll my jelly roll and throw them in a large bag that you have beside you then pull them out randomly when you are sewing them together. This method has worked great for me. But whatever you decide, I'm sure your quilt will look great. That is the beauty of the Blueridge 1600 quilt!

[Poppytree]

I use mine straight from the bundle unless there are duplicates - I take these out and add them to the bottom of the pile. Life's too short to sort and the idea of a jelly Roll RACE is to make it quickly and enjoy the surprise so sorting and mixing defeats the object!

These were unsorted

http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/mem...7770624-n.html
http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/mem...86-morris.html

[Vonnie]

I have not done a jelly roll quilt yet. But, my question is, how do you keep it from going wonky?

I know you have to be careful not to stretch the fabric but it's bound to happen anyway.

So - what's the secret?

[Poppytree]

I tape the end of the first strip to my work table (after cutting off 16" - 18") then, when I get to the end of sewing all the strips together, I place the final piece face to face with the taped piece and start the next long row - never had any twists in it yet - just make sure you sew each diagonal strip in the same direction - you don't need to pin either.

If you join with a diagonal seam and cut the dog ears off - keep sliding the strip through your fingers keeping it flat - that should remove any twists too before you turn one strip into two.

Ingredients
1 Jelly Roll
Sewing Machine with ¼” foot
Thread & 3 fully wound bobbins


Method

1. Unwrap Jelly Roll carefully
2. Lay out flat - do not mix up
3. Take the first strip carefully off the pile
4. Take a second strip & join it to the end of the first strip with right sides together (see diagram above using a mitred corner (no need to cut off selvedge)
5. Now sew all the strips together in the same way – no need to pin – you can’t pin jelly!
6. When you reach the end your strip will be over 1600 inches!
7. Cut off 18 inches at the start and discard - this will ensure the joins are staggered
8. Trim all mitred joins leaving ¼” seam – jelly wobbles so cut them quick with sharp scissors
9. Take the start of your roll & place right sides to right sides with the end of the Jelly Roll
10. Sew all the way down & when you get to the end, cut it across the folded edge with your scissors – you now have 2 long strips each made of 2 strips sewn together.
11. Place the right sides together again and sew all down the strip.
12. Cut and sew strips together again
13. Keep sewing in this way, trying not to twist your strips.
14. Your finished quilt will have 32 joined together strips and measure approximately 50” x 60”
15. Press seams then trim the sides to make them even.
16. You can then add 1 or more borders before quilting and binding.

[Dashwood]

I made my first 1600 jelly roll quilt top today - I mixed them all up and them cut about 1/4 of the strips into shorter length. I don't have anyone to race against so I took my time!