The jelly roll has to be the most amazing creation ever of fabric yumminess, how is that for an intro! 
Moda invented these rolls which are
- 40 strips 2.5" wide
- All one collection
- All Cottons rolls or All Batik Rolls
Almost every fabric collection at Moda will have a Jelly roll, so you can pick up the full line in one yummy swirl!
I am a bit addicted to them, they are so perfect, and you want to unroll them.. but then ...
well... let's do it.. ok?
The first thing you will notice is that the pinked edge creates a lot of fuzz. You may be like me and gotten excited and taken the ribbon off before cleaning up the roll, it happens!
It's easier to clean it prior to unwrapping, but if you forgot, just wrap the roll with a rubber band, easy fix!
Roll the top and bottom of the jelly roll with a lint roller. The first time I heard this tip was from my good buddy Kimberly Einmo when she was on my podcast. Best tool to keep in your studio!
In a perfect world, NOW we unwrap the roll!
I LOVE how a jelly roll looks, and I'm tempted to have 2, one to decorate with and one to use.. do you ever think about that, or is it only me?
I LOVE fanning out the strips!
One of the most interesting parts about a purchased Jelly roll is that it's one collection. And every collection has different colorways. In this one there are several aqua based fabrics, and then the aqua is repeated in a few of the prints. But it is primarily a pink and red line with black and aqua accents.
This is something to think about when using it in the design you selected.
I love using my 'Stitched' pattern for jelly rolls. Fast, have all the sizes in the pattern, and super effective! All you do is add a neutral. (by the way this Kiss Kiss from Moda is an older line)
When doing my Stitched I may even do some test blocks to see how I like the colors together.. or I may just go for it!
Lissa from Moda has a few tips at the Moda Bakeshop, I like this one
- Use Steam! It will help to realign the fibers if you use steam when you iron the strips. They will relax and lose the curl that has been forced into them by being rolled up.
Next - working with Pinked Fabric Edges
Most Jelly rolls have a pinked edge.
The Moda precuts are 2.5" wide from the OUTSIDE points of the pinked edges.
Other companies may be different. So I suggest you measure your precut pieces before you sew to be sure they are 2.5"
If your strips are not 2.5" wide, you need to trim them and it's better to know now!
What about sewing? When you use a straight cut edge, it's easy to see the strips are lined up. With a pinked edge you need to match them but don't let them slide.
Here is where you can see the strip below ABOVE the edge on the top. If you sew like this your piece will not come out right.
So let's do a quick test of our 1/4" seam.
I use an edge foot on my Babylock Crescendo. You can see that the POINT of the pinked edge is right next to the edge guide.
Press open the 2 strips and they will should measure 4.5" wide from pinked POINT to pinked POINT. If they do not, figure out what you need to adjust so your seam allowance is 1/4".
The Goods
- BUY my Stitched pattern
- BUY Jelly rolls, because we can never have to many!
- Rulers!
What is your current favorite Jelly Roll?
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