I first discovered the joy of jelly rolls many years ago when I first started working on Today's Quilter magazine and I've loved them ever since!
But why should you make a quilt from a jelly roll? Well, the beauty of jelly rolls is they come pre-cut and all the prints come from the same fabric range so they'll coordinate instantly. This makes the quilting process quicker, easier, and more efficient.
In this round up I've included a feast of free jelly roll quilt patterns to inspire you, alongside a few of my favourite patterns to buy too. Enjoy!
Your mini guide to jelly roll quilts
20 Jelly roll quilt patterns to try
1. Jelly roll quilt pattern
Jo Avery gives log cabin quilts a granny square feel with this beautiful how to make a jelly roll quilt tutorial from Love Patchwork & Quilting. Find the pattern free here on Gathered!
2. Sew Rail Fence quilt blocks
Rail Fence quilt blocks are one of the simplest quilt blocks to sew for beginners and they're perfect for jelly rolls.
You basically sew 4 fabric strips together and then cut down into squares. Piece them together at angles for a quick patchwork quilt.
You can find the jelly roll quilt pattern over on DIY Joy.
3. Free Jelly Roll Twist quilt pattern
This variation on the rail fence block from the Fat Quarter Shop blog includes great step by step instructions to talk you through how to make it.
Head over to the Precut Parade Jelly roll quilt pattern and tag us in a picture of your finished jelly roll quilt on Instagram using #gatheredmakers.
4. Cutting corners – triangles jelly roll quilt
Quilt queen Jenny Doan has a brilliant video tutorial for how to make this beautiful triangles jelly roll quilt.
Head over to Missouri Star Blog to find this Cutting corners quilt pattern.
5. Sew zigzag love hearts
This is a super sweet quilt pattern, from Hopes Quilt Designs on Etsy, makes a gorgeous jelly roll quilt.
It is a really clever way of turning pre-cut fabrics into a beautiful quilt design.
Looking for more easy quilt projects?
Head over to our collection of free quilting patterns and find your next project.
6. Come What May – Twisted Jelly Roll quilt pattern
By cleverly grouping strips of different fabric shades you can create a quilt pattern with a sense of movement and texture.
You can make it as a lap or baby quilt! The pattern includes colour diagrams which show you how to piece the quilt, step by step.
7. Stoplight rectangles Jelly Roll quilt pattern
If you're ready to level up and get playful with your jelly rolls, this clever quilt pattern could be the one for you.
Colleen Tauke shows you how to make this beautiful Stoplight jelly roll quilt with a bohemian twist over at Quilting Daily.
8. Sew tumbling blocks for a clever Jelly Roll quilt
Tumbling blocks are a great patchwork quilt block to transform your jelly roll strips into eye-bendingly good quilt tops.
It combines diamonds cut from jelly rolls and light and dark tones to create shadow and depth from your patchwork.
Get the Parallelograms quilt pattern with the digital issue 21 of Today's Quilter magazine.
Top tip: If you fancy making this jelly roll quilt pattern you'll find out how to sew set-in seams tutorial useful!
9. Grow jelly roll flowers
Robin Picken's Tulip Market quilt is a beautiful way to use traditional quilt piecing to turn jelly roll strips into a garden-full of patchwork blooms.
Pick up some colourful jelly rolls and purchase a copy of Robins Tulip Garden Jelly Roll PDF.
10. Rainbow Rails Jelly Roll Quilt
AQS blog has got a really clever rainbow quilt pattern on their blog! Their Rainbow Rails jelly roll quilt pattern looks deceptively complicated but is actually just a twist on the classic rail fence quilt blocks pictured above.
11. Jelly Weave Quilt Pattern
One for all those of you who have got a bit of quilting experience under your belts, this clever strip quilt by Allison Harris from Cluck Cluck Sew looks trickier than it is to make.
You sew large quilt blocks and set them on point (at a diagonal angle) for a clever interweaving effect. Using jelly rolls will make it easier to stitch! If you're struggling with this pattern head over to our complete guide to quilting for tips, tricks and techniques.
12. Sweet sixteen Jelly Roll quilt pattern
We've found your perfect beginner jelly roll quilt pattern! Quilt this easy-to-piece checkerboard design from Fabric Addict Canada on Etsy.
Treat yourself to a new sewing machine!
Find the best sewing machine for you with our complete guide to the best sewing machines here on Gathered.
13. Sweet pastel Jelly Roll quilt pattern
Inspired by that iconic retro candy, Angie Wilson’s sugar-sweet quilt is perfect for pepping up your sofa! This pattern uses jelly rolls for the coloured fabric with white fabric for the background. Get the pattern from the digital issue 27 of Love Patchwork & Quilting
14. For extra drama boost – try a bargello Jelly Roll quilt pattern
Based on small squares of fabric, Bargello quilts are a perfect choice for jelly roll quilting. They're surprisingly simple to sew, despite the huge drama impact of the finished quilt.
Luckily we've got a how to guide from Today's Quilter magazine to show you the ropes. Turn your jelly rolls into a quilt with our how to make a bargello quilt tutorial.
15. Free baby jelly roll quilt pattern
Pick a jelly roll of sweet pastel prints and combine it with on-trend linen to make Alice Hadley's classic baby quilt.
This easy baby quilt pattern is the ideal jelly roll quilt project.
16. Back to school Jelly Roll quilt pattern
Today's Quilter magazine featured this beautiful houses quilt pattern by Pam and Nicky Lintott of The Quilt Room in issue 5.
It's inspired by an antique schoolhouse quilt block. It's made from a jelly roll plus background fabric.
Get the pattern with Today's Quilter issue 5 via the Digital issues app
17. Sugar skull Jelly Roll quilt pattern
Natalie Santini’s Sugar skull quilt pattern was first featured in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine and now it's here on Gathered!
It uses one jelly roll and backing fabric.
18. Pathways jelly roll quilt pattern
If you're looking for a quilt project to really curl up and get your teeth stuck into, this is the one!
This beautiful classic jelly roll quilt from Sherri Quilts is traditional quilt pattern, perfect for jelly rolls and pre-cut fabrics. Make yours look instantly modern by opting for fresh, contemporary fabric prints.
19. Jelly strip stash buster quilt
Reach for your brightest jelly rolls and prepare for some seriously satisfying patchwork piecing with this jelly roll quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew.
This fab Cluck Cluck Sew Jelly Strip Stash Buster Quilt is based on a tutorial from Film in the Fridge.
20. Batik braid Jelly Roll quilt pattern
We've had a bit of a thing for chevron quilts for many years, so we're excited to share that Reanna Lily Designs's Batik Braid Quilt pattern. It's perfect for jelly roll quilts.
What is a jelly roll quilt?
A jelly roll is a roll of pre-cut strips of fabrics. Each fabric in the roll measures 2½ x 42–44 in and there are usually around 40 fabric strips in a roll.
The fabrics often all share a united colour theme or design, or are part of the same fabric collection. This is great as it means when you make a quilt you know the fabrics will all match up and look beautiful.
As all the fabric pieces are cut to size for you, jelly rolls are a really nifty way to speed up making your quilts. If you love the sewing but don't enjoy spending ages measuring and cutting fabric scraps, jelly rolls are for you.
Jelly rolls got their name from Moda fabrics, who coined the term to describe their rolled packs of pre-cut fabrics from their popular fabric collections by well-known designers for quilters.
The absolute best thing about them? There are hundreds of different ways you can twist, turn and combine the strips to make different patterns.
Where to buy jelly rolls for quilting
We like these places and brands to shop for jelly roll inspiration...
- Etsy - have a great range of jelly rolls available online, including some beautiful on-trend batiks
- Ebay - they'll never compete with our love of a good fabric shop, but if you're on the hunt for jelly rolls it's worth checking them out. Check the product descriptions before you buy.
- Cotton Patch – Large range of Moda Jelly rolls and some beautiful Robert Kaufman Kona half rolls
- Fat Quarter Shop – the US online store has a huge range of Moda Jelly rolls in some of their most popular fabric collections
- Create and Craft – have a small but beautiful range of modern Jelly Rolls for quilting
- Joann – good for classic fabric jelly rolls
Turn jelly rolls into works of art!
Quick, easy and fun, jelly roll quilts are perfect for beginner quilters and those wanting a more relaxed project.
Shop for jelly roll fabrics from your favourite independent sellers and turn them into these magnificent quilts.
Discover more memorable quilting projects with Gathered
If you've enjoyed these jelly roll quilts then you'll love our collection of free modern quilting patterns!
