This Jelly Roll Quilt Is Fast and Easy to Make!

Okay quilters, it is that time of year where many of you are looking for fast and fun quilting patterns that make great gifts! Well, look no further! The Jelly Roll Race quilt is truly one of the fastest, if not the fastest, quilt to make! It takes one Jelly Roll of fabric to make. When you use precuts, you’ve already saved a lot of time, but that’s not the best part. The best part is how fast the sewing goes! This quilt just comes together so quickly! Some of you may have already heard of it and some of you may have already made one, but they are so much fun to make, you’ll probably want to make another one!

This pattern is perfect for quilters of all skill levels. If you’re not familiar with Jelly Rolls, they are sometimes called other cute names by different manufacturers, but no matter what they are called, it is a bundle of 2 1/2 x 42″ fabric strips. Click here to learn more about Jelly Rolls and other precuts.

Here is just a small sampling of some of the beautiful Jelly Rolls are on our sister-site, Missouri Star Quilt Co. Any of these Jelly Rolls would make a gorgeous Jelly Roll Race Quilt! Shop the selection by clicking here!

The Steps to Quilting Bliss (AKA Making a Jelly Roll Race!)

1. Gather Your Materials: To start your Jelly Roll Race quilt, all you need is a jelly roll—a collection of 2.5-inch fabric strips—some coordinating thread, and a sewing machine. Choose a jelly roll with colors and patterns that inspire you; the vibrant variety is what gives this quilt its lively charm.
2. Kickstart the Race: Unroll your jelly roll and sew the strips together end-to-end, creating one long strip. The order in which you sew the strips is entirely up to you, but generally if you sew them in the order they are packaged in, your colors will be evenly dispersed in your quilt. It will be fabulous! Don’t overthink the order of the strips.
3. Sew, Sew, Sew, and Sew: Take the beginning and end of your strip and sew them together, right sides facing, to form a continuous loop. You will snip this circle and do it all over again. Watch the tutorial below and this will all make sense. 🙂 Keep sewing until your quilt reaches the desired length. This step is where the excitement builds as you witness your quilt growing at an astonishing pace.
4. No Worries: As the quilt top takes shape, you don’t have to worry about perfectly matching seams or flawless alignments, because there are no seams to match! The beauty of the Jelly Roll Race quilt lies in its whimsical, random nature.
5. Add Borders and Finishing Touches: Once you’ve completed the quilt top, some quilters like to add borders. These are not necessary. These quilts are adorable with or without borders! Finish your quilt by layering it with batting and backing fabric before quilting and binding it all together.

Why Are Jelly Roll Races So Much Fun?

1. Quick and Satisfying: The Jelly Roll Race quilt is known for its speed. In just a few hours, you can go from a stack of fabric strips to a completed quilt top. The swift pace adds an element of instant gratification, making it an exhilarating project for those who love to see tangible results.
2. Endless Design Possibilities: With a wide variety of jelly rolls available in the market, the design possibilities for your Jelly Roll Race quilt are limitless. Whether you prefer a rainbow of colors, a coordinated theme, or an eclectic mix of patterns, you can let your imagination run wild. Every quilt is as unique as the person who creates it.
3. Beginner-Friendly: If you’re new to quilting, the Jelly Roll Race pattern is an excellent starting point. The simplicity of sewing long strips together helps build your confidence while providing a stunning outcome.

Here are two variations of the Jelly Roll Race Patterns. Each slightly different than the original, that is featured in the above tutorial. These two are just as much fun! Find these patterns by clicking here!

If you’re ready to start the Race, you can find the perfect Jelly Roll by shopping here. Our sister-site, Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a great selection of Jelly Rolls!

Be sure to check out our Nancy’s Notions Homepage, where you can find links to over 60 different categories of sewing and quilting topics! That’s over 400 articles! Click here!

Looking for free patterns or more sewing project ideas? Click here!