Choosing the right precut fabric can feel overwhelming with so many options available — layer cakes, jelly rolls, fat eighths, charm packs. If you've been curious about jelly roll fabric strips and how to use them, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Are Jelly Roll Fabric Strips?
Jelly roll strips are precut fabric bundles of strips measuring approximately 2.5" wide × 44" long (the width of the fabric). Most bundles contain around 40 strips, all coordinated from the same fabric collection. "Jelly Roll" is a trademark term by Moda Fabrics; other manufacturers may call them design rolls or fabric rolls.
Jelly roll strips revolutionized quilting by eliminating the time-consuming step of cutting strips by hand — making them a favorite for beginners and experienced quilters alike.
10 Projects You Can Make with Jelly Roll Strips
- Jelly roll race quilt
- Scrappy strip quilt
- Placemat set
- Fabric scarves
- Oven mitts
- Rail fence quilt
- Tote bag
- Festive table runner
- String quilt
- Cushion cover
5 Tips for Working with Jelly Roll Strips
- Sew strips into patch blocks of 9, 16, or 25, then cross-cut at 2.5" for quick patchwork units.
- A jelly roll tote bag makes a great handmade gift — quick to sew and always useful.
- Cut 2.5" squares from a strip and arrange them into flying geese blocks — perfect for quilt borders.
- Frame orphan blocks with two jelly roll strips on the top and two on the bottom for an easy scrap quilt.
- Use short strip pieces to build log cabin blocks for a classic, cozy quilt design.
How to Make a Jelly Roll Quilt: Step by Step
Step 1 — Gather Your Materials
- 1 jelly roll bundle (40 strips)
- Sewing machine
- Measuring tape and rotary cutter
- Cutting mat and ruler
- Scissors and thread
- Backing fabric and batting
- Straight pins and safety pins
- Iron (optional but recommended)
Step 2 — Sort Your Strips
Unroll and separate the strips. Arrange by color or pattern depending on whether you want a coordinated or scrappy look. Sew strips end-to-end in your chosen sequence to create one long continuous strip.
Step 3 — Build the Quilt Top
Fold the long strip back and forth, sewing the short ends together as you go to build up the width of your quilt top. Continue until you reach approximately 50 inches wide, then trim and join the final seam.
Step 4 — Trim and Press
Trim any loose threads between strips. Press seams to one side for a neat finish. Square up the quilt top edges with a rotary cutter and ruler.
Step 5 — Finish the Quilt
Layer the quilt top over batting and backing fabric. Pin all layers together and quilt as desired — straight lines work beautifully with strip quilts. Bind the edges and you're done!
Shop Jelly Roll Fabric at My Fabric Villa
Ready to start your jelly roll project? Browse our full selection of jelly roll bundles at My Fabric Villa — featuring coordinated collections from Moda, Andover, Riley Blake, and more. Fast shipping, premium quilting fabrics, and a team ready to help you find the perfect bundle.
