30+ Jolly Sewing Patterns for Jelly Rolls and Fabric Strips
Skip the cutting and purchase a jelly roll instead. You can make your own jelly roll with scraps too! However you roll, use this list to find inspiration for your next sewing project.
I love that some precut fabric bundles are named after yummy, carb heavy food! I have a few jelly roll bundles ready and waiting for the next great thing. I don’t mind cutting my own, but sometimes it’s nice to have the tedious part done for me.
What’s your favorite precut bundle? Tag me on Instagram @sewcanshe and let’s share!
What is a Jelly Roll Bundle?
A jelly roll is a package of 2.5″ wide strips cut WoF (width of fabric) from cotton quilt fabric. Each bundle contains three total yards of fabric.
Most fabric companies, including Moda Fabrics, Riley Blake, Free Spirit, Robert Kaufman, and QT Fabrics, offer their fabric collections in jelly roll strip sets. It’s a great way to get a variety of colors and prints that you know will coordinate beautifully.
Solid jelly rolls, sold in many colors, are also becoming popular. They are great for matching the background of your quilt. Then, you can easily add 2” sashing or a quick 2” border to your quilt.
Jelly Roll Pro Tips:
- Be sure you use an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance. Here are some ideas if you have trouble keeping it straight.
- Precut jelly roll strips are cut across the width of the fabric, so don’t confuse them with bias strips.
- Although both are delicious, jelly rolls are not the same as honey buns (which are a narrower 1 1/2″). Precut strip sets are sometimes called by different names, such as rolie polies or bali pops (usually for batik fabrics).
- Save time on your quilt binding by using a jelly roll!
How to Cut Your Own Strips
You can cut your own jelly roll strips using a cutting mat, a long acrylic ruler, and a rotary cutter.
For ease and speed, I love using my Accuquilt Go! fabric cutter with the 2 1/2” strip die. You can fold the fabric over to cut up to 6 layers at once. Accuquilt dies are available for all of the common precut strip dimensions, plus charm squares, layer cakes, and hexagons.
Is it worth it to you? Here’s the math: One yard of fabric will yield 14 WOF (width of fabric) strips, so a jelly roll contains three yards of fabric.
Let’s Get Started!
Here are my favorite jelly roll patterns so far:
Quilt as You Go (QAYG) Strip Quilt
QAYG quilts are easy to size up or down. It’s not the same as strip piecing a normal quilt top. If you have never done it, consider trying it out! This free strip quilt pattern includes a video tutorial to show you how to make your quilt reversable!
Quilt as you Go (QAYG) Tote
This QAYG free tote pattern has some personal touches that I love. I used a panel along with my strips for this bag. I’m sure you’ll come up with a cute fabric combo. I would love to see what you come up with! Tag me on Instagram @SewCanShe.
Grandma’s Lattice Quilt
The free Grandma’s Lattice Quilt pattern uses strip piecing. The technique is so much faster than cutting 2 1/2” squares and sewing them all together (which is fun, too – I did that for this scrappy patchwork quilt). This print is True Kisses fabric from Heather Bailey.
Candy Corn Therapy Quilt
My Candy Corn Therapy free quilt tutorial includes instructions for using a jelly roll at the end. You can use other width of strips, just keep in mind that it will affect the finished size and other elements of the design will need to adjusted if they aren’t strips too.
Jelly Roll Jam Baby Quilt
If you are just starting to sew or need a quick project, try the Jelly Roll Jam baby quilt. Amy has some great tips in this tutorial.
Jelly Roll Jam 2 Baby Quilt
If you loved the Jelly Roll Jam quilt, you’ll love Jelly Roll Jam 2! It’s quick and great for beginners. Here’s my post so you can sew two quilt tops with one jelly roll.
Blueberry Pie Strip Quilt
Sew up this Beautiful Blueberry Pie Quilt quicker than you think! I combined the traditional log cabin piecing technique with a modern design.
Pro Tip: Notice how I used a whole bunch of low-volume cream fabrics and then tone-on-tone blue fabrics for the ‘pie’ shapes? Read all my tips for using low-volume fabrics in this blog post.
The Pippi Quilt
Our friends at Duckadilly designed this gorgeous rainbow quilt using a jelly roll of Liberty fabrics. Liberty Tana Lawn fabrics are wider than regular quilting fabrics. If you’ve never tried them, they are also super soft and luxurious! Check the Duckadilly downloads page for the pattern.
Jelly Roll Apron
Not a quilt, but the Mile-a-Minute Jelly Roll Apron has pockets! I love having full coverage and a good pocket when I’m working hard. This pattern is a treat for self love.
Nesting Trees Table Runner
This pictures shows a beautiful Christmas color runner, but pine trees are glorious in all varieties! Check out this free pattern by Center Street Quilts and put those jelly rolls to good use.
The Nine Patch Block Quilt
This cute summer nine patch block quilt turned out so cute; I love the little animal faces! Jelly rolls make great nine blocks. Arrange them however you want, and then sew them together with contrasting strips.
Jelly Roll Strip Quilt
This strip quilt pattern comes together quickly; you can make a lap-sized quilt in just a day. I am a fan of the time-saving element of the jelly roll.
Jelly Roll Relish Quilt
The Jelly Roll Relish is, of course, a free pattern. The colors make the title very appropriate, and you will love sewing this quilt top together!
Dresden Plate Table Runner
Sherri McConnell has a video tutorial in two parts for this quilt block. Grab your jelly roll and make a gorgeous runner or place mats!
Rails and Ribbons Quilt
This Rails and Ribbons quilt pattern comes from The Sewing Loft. If you are looking for a worthy cause, this throw size quilt pattern meets all the requirements of the Quilts of Valor program for veterans.
Denim and Chambray Table Runner
This table runner is made with beautiful neutrals and denim, but you can use the same pattern with a jelly roll. Check out the tutorial and make what you love. Amy shows a great way to make sure that your runner will finish at the size you want it.
Jelly Roll Railway Quilt
The Railroad Crossing quilt block is a classic pattern that most quilters will easily recognize. Try it with jelly roll strips and make this darling railway quilt!
Quilted Floor Pillow
Sew this comfy floor pillow for your reading nook or your fur baby!
Ma Maison Quilt
Check out this pattern that Cheryl Brickey designed for Moda. Can you imagine the possibilities? It measures 48” x 56” and only requires one jelly roll, and 3/4 yard of background fabric. See the Ma Maison Quilt Pattern.
Scrappy Triangles Free Quilt
Melissa’s free Scrappy Triangles Quilt Pattern is a lap-quilt. You only need those three yards of jelly roll!
Jelly Roll Twirl Quilt
This fun quilt is called Jelly Roll Twirl. I love the playful use of color and interesting layout of strips.
Kisses Quilt Pattern
Here is a fast and easy Kisses Quilt Pattern. I used a beautiful Kaffe Fasset jelly roll to sew a scrappy version of this modern geometric quilt.
Patchwork Quilt with Strip Piecing Technique
How about creating your own? I’ll show you how to make Patchwork Quilt Blocks using my crazy fast technique for strip piecing. It’s the quickest free tutorial ever! Here’s my how-to video.
Jelly Roll Slice Quilt
Here’s another favorite called Jelly Roll Slice. It’s amazing to me how playing with color changes the quilt, even when using the same pattern.
Sunny Trips Quilt
This gorgeous design by Karin Vail finishes at a whopping 90” x 90”. You will use three print jelly rolls and one solid jelly roll. Check out the Sunny Trips pattern.
Jelly Glazed Hearts
If you just want to try some blocks, why not make this Jelly Glazed Hearts table runner! You can use your favorite scraps in any combination for a sweet heart block. You can more blocks to turn it into a quilt, too.
Woven Hearts Quilt
Here’s another heart pattern called Woven Hearts quilt. The whole quilt isn’t made of jelly roll, but it uses plenty of strips. It’s a beautiful design that finishes at 57″ by 74″.
Cross Body Zipper Tote
Scrap strips? This cute zipper tote pattern is perfect for beginners too!
Journaling Bookmarks
Whew! After all that sewing do you have some jelly roll scraps? Check out these DIY Bookmarks! Sew a bunch for a class gift at school or church, and add personalized touches with machine embroidery if you have it.
Strip Fabric Table Runner
You can use a jelly roll for most strip projects. Just keep in mind that the finished dimensions will be different if the pattern doesn’t call for 2 1/2″ strips. Here’s a pattern for a Halloween print table runner, but as always, you use the prints that you love!
Jelly Roll Rug
I love how many fabric prints come in a jelly roll bundle. I get giddy when I see them perfectly coordinated and ready to be made into something fabulous. This jelly roll rug takes time, but you will love the outcome!
Other Pre-Cut Fabrics You Will Love
If you love pre-cut jelly rolls, check out all these other fabric sizes!
- Fat Quarters (18” x 20” rectangles)
- Charm Square Packs (5” squares)
- Mini Charm Packs (2 1/2” squares)
- Honey Buns (1 1/2” strips)
More from SewCanShe:
Cutest List of All Time! 60 Delicious Table Runner Patterns
Stash Busters: 35 Free Fat Quarter Sewing Patterns
- Stash Busters: 35 Free Fat Quarter Sewing Patterns
Sew Precious! 27 Ideal Gifts to Sew for Kids
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