The longarm quilters group that I belong to is going to have a sew day Wednesday doing the Jelly Roll Race. I had 3 sets of strips that I thought would work so I decided to try one yesterday to see how long it takes. Normally you would be using about 40 strips (which is how many are in a jelly roll) but I used a lot of short pieces that were left from a bunch of different projects and then added 17 full width strips to get to a desired size. I had 133 pieces (from 8" -30" plus 17-45" strips) to sew together into one long strip which took about 2 hours. This is equal to about 65 strips instead of the 40 in a jelly roll. Then the rest of the sewing to make the top took 1.5 hours. It is 62" x 86". If you don't know what the Jelly Roll Race is you might want to type it into Search and then watch one of the videos on the Internet. A friend of mine put spacers between her strips as shown here.
I made 2 more stars last night while watching the news and weather. We had some severe storms in the area yesterday morning. We finally got some rain but the severe part missed us. It stayed cool all morning but then the sun came out and we were back up to 90 again. Relief is coming tomorrow if the prediction is right.
21 comments:
Interesting top. I might try that for a lap quilt. The relief is here, but we have fog today. We had wind damage to a couple trees and a lot of debri to pickup. Have fun with this top and quilting it. Chris
I love your friend's version with the spacers between the strips - that gives the quilt a whole different look. Love your version - the colors are so yummy! The jelly roll race quilt that I did this weekend with Christmas fabric would definitely have benefitted from the spacers. Next time, for sure!
I really like your jelly roll quilt! Did you pick the strips totally at random as you sewed, or did you have a plan?
I like how your quilt turned out! The different length strips really gave it a different look. I did a jelly roll race using a miter to piece the long strip. I needed a quick quilt for a graduation gift and I was very happy with how it worked out!
Love your Jelly Roll quilt. I recently made one too and am glad to see that yours took about as long as mine to make. Can you believe someone made one in 36 minutes?!? And your stars are beautiful.
Your quilt looks fantastic! I have been wanting to make one of these for a long time. I just don't like sewing long strips together. I think that is why my last strata for the TAW is taking me so long to get around to. Your stars are wondaful too!
The race quilt is really pretty in batiks. I made one out of odd strips I had left over, it came out nice, but, I was a little bored with it so I appliqued a few large daisies on it. My husband calls it a hippy quilt. I think he's seeing the old beetles when he looks at it.
Great strip quilt. I have been thinking of trying one myself. I love the spacers that your friend added to hers. Great idea!!!
Your new stars look wonderful. I can't wait to see that quilt.
I like the look of your JRR, Wanda. The batiks are very pretty sewn in this manner. Ever thought of doing a KF quilt this way? :)
Love your jelly roll quilt! So many beautiful colors and prints. It's a burst of exuberant colors! Like WOW! Good idea to use lots of smaller strips in the mix. Wish I had done that when I made mine. I will next time! Maybe some spacers, too. Strip quilts are like potato chips to me ... I can't make just one. (Oh yeah. They take me a LOT LONGER than 37 minutes, too :D)
I have always resisted Jelly Rolls, because I pre-wash all my fabric, and would hesitate to mix pre-washed and unwashed fabric in the same quilt.
If I ever get a Jelly Roll (gifts happen, etc.), now I will know just what to do with it.
I think the name "lasagna quilt" has also appeared in at least one Kaffe Fassett book.
a friend and I did the jelly roll race quilt a couple months ago. I just quilted hers for her, mine is waiting in line! I like yours and the more random look you achieved. If I make another one I would cut up some of the jelly roll strips and your friends version with the spacers would definately add to the interest level. All in all it's a fun/quick project and makes a nice size top.
Oh, how I love that quilt! Love the play of colour and the sheer joy it seems to express!
I have directions for the jelly roll race but put them aside for a later date. Maybe it is time to start sewing my strips together like you did to make the quilt also. I see that it goes together pretty fast. The storms missed me also but I was in Lisle, Downers Grove and Westmont and there are areas that have no power and it is not expected to be put on until maybe tomorrow.
Thanks for suggesting the video...what fun!
I'm not much of a jelly-roll fan, but the race quilts do look fun (and fast)! Especially with a great mix of fabrics, like yours. One more thing for my "someday" list...
I have seen the jelly roll race quilts and was not impressed. However, seeing your fabrics (are they all batiks?) I may repent! This is a gorgeous quilt, just bursting with personality. You just can't make a boring quilt, can you? LOL
I've seen a lot of tops made with the jelly roll race method, and they looked OK, but I can see from yours that the choice of fabrics makes a HUGE difference. Yours looks great.
Love your stars.
Good luck with heat relief without anything severe.
I sure enjoyed catching up with over a week of not being able to check in daily. What a fun piece the 'jelly roll race' is. You're the winner for sure accomplishing getting it complete in 2 hours!
The stars are 'exciting' to say the least.
Just love the your log cabin with all of it's pieces of fabulous fabrics.
Your daughters vests and smocked dress is adorable. She was the best dressed in her class I'd say. I know at the time when I too, was dressing my girls with my tailoring designs... they did not like Mom's idea's of what to wear in those days. But now that they are mom's and are sewing for their children, their appreciation has returned.
The signature QOV sure turned out stunning. I like the design.
J~MT
I have seen that jelly roll race a lot lately - I like the look of yours. Hope you get your rain.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
You really do love colour, don't you? I'm so glad I found your blog, you are a woman after my own heart!
I first heard of the Jelly Roll Race two days ago - it's a great way to make a quilt top in a hurry!
Can I ask a question? On the websites I visited, they said to join the strips on the bias (like a binding). I wondered why one would take the time to do that and I notice yours are sewn "straight" (which I prefer). Can you explain the difference to this novice please?
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