Question About Jelly Rolls

**Ladibug** · 10-15-2012, 06:59 PM

I searched QB and didn't find anything about my specific problem. I have discovered that jelly rolls come in different sizes. Some have up to 45 pieces and some as little as 22 pieces. My question is this if the jelly roll with 40-45 pieces amkes an apx 42x78 what size quilt will a jelly roll that has 22 pieces make? Or can it be made into a quilt? and do you still start off by cutting the first 18 inches off when starting? Am I amking sense? I figured aout that I can use a jelly roll to make a bargello, now I need to know about the smaller jelly rolls as all of these are going to be Christmas presents.

Thanks much,

Ladibug

**GailG** · 10-15-2012, 07:42 PM

I've often wondered the same thing -- as in the jelly roll race quilt. Is it possible to figure out the size of the quilt by the number of pieces in a jelly roll package? I'd like to cut my own fabric and don't know how many pieces to cut.

**slk350** · 10-15-2012, 08:00 PM

I don't know the answer, but are the different color strips longer or shorter depending on how many pieces in the roll ?

**Ladibug** · 10-15-2012, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by slk350

I don't know the answer, but are the different color strips longer or shorter depending on how many pieces in the roll ?

The jelly rolls usually are made from 44 inch wide material. There are several different colors in the rolls and are usually repeated two to three times, depending.

**cad_queen_2000** · 10-15-2012, 08:20 PM

I've never made a jelly roll quilt, but if 40 strips gives you 1600" sewn end to end, then 22 strips will give you 880" sewn end to end. When you start dividing it up then the first strip will be 4.5"x440", then 8.5x220", then 16.5"x110", then 32.5"x55".

I guess in order to figure out how many strips you will need, figure out how long you want it, then start multiplying in the other direction. So, if you want it 60x80 . . . . . . . 80 inches long, x 30 strips wide, 80 inches long would be about 2 wof. So, 30 strips wide x 2 strips would be about 60 strips.

I may be blowing smoke here, but I think that is what I would do. Maybe someone that has made jelly rolls could figure out a better way? (I may start cutting strips just to see if this will work.)

I do believe you need to cut off 18" and discard otherwise your seams will be lining up.

**Ladibug** · 10-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by cad_queen_2000

I've never made a jelly roll quilt, but if 40 strips gives you 1600" sewn end to end, then 22 strips will give you 880" sewn end to end. When you start dividing it up then the first strip will be 4.5"x440", then 8.5x220", then 16.5"x110", then 32.5"x55".

Thanks so much for figuring that for me. I think I have just about caught on how to figure it out myself(maybe if i read it enough...lol). Okay, so the smaller jelly roll(22pcs) wouldn't be as wide as the bigger one. Looks like I woulkd be better off getting the larger jelly roll. I think the best thing I can do is to just make one and see what I need to do from there. Thanks so very much cad_queen.

Ladibug

**Tashana** · 10-15-2012, 08:29 PM

Cad queen 2000 your math is on the right track. I made my quilt out of 60 strips which technically means it was 2400 quilt LOL. I wanted it bigger and no borders. I did the math, said a little prayer, got entangled in 2400" of strips and in couple if hours my quilt top was done. I snipped off a chunk of fabric from the first strip and I don't think I measured it. If I did I do not remember. My strips did not go well together at all but the quilt turned out quite nice. Good luck!

**dunster** · 10-16-2012, 06:55 AM

Assuming a usable length of 40" and 2" finished width, one strip gives you 80 square inches. If you want your quilt to be 60x80, for instance, that is 4800 square inches, and 4800/80=60 strips. For a quilt that is 60x60, 3600/80=45 strips. That's for a quilt that's made with jelly rolls, not necessarily for a jelly roll race quilt. The difference is in the construction, since for a jelly roll race you start with one large strip and start halving it in one dimension, doubling in the other. The jelly roll race quilt is more of a novelty IMHO, lots of fun, but harder to construct because of the long twisting chain of fabric and harder to control because of the way the size evolves.

**willferg** · 10-16-2012, 06:58 AM

The jelly roll strips come from yardage, which can range from 40" to 44" for width of fabric, plus you have to allow for seam allowances, so there's some room for variance there.

To me, the crucial factor is that you start with a strip of 2.5" (2" finished -- we'll go with finished), then fold and double to 4", then fold and double to 8", then 16", then 32", then 64" -- and if you could fold again, you'd be at 128". Like Cad Queen said.

So I can see making a small blanket 32" wide by whatever depth, depending on how many strips, or go for 64" and whatever depth, but I don't know how people come up with a blanket 42" or any other width.

If you have 22 jelly rolls, that would be approximately 900 inches. I write in two columns, with the left at 2" and the right at 900. Next line down, 2" becomes 4", 900 becomes 450 (cut in half). Next line, 8" and 225", then 16" and 113", and then 32" by 56". If those dimensions work for you, you could add a border and call it good. If it's a little too tall for the width, you could drop a jelly roll or two...

I hope this makes sense. I find I have more fun thinking about this pattern than making it. I tried it once and threw in a couple of half strips to try to create variety and ended up with a bit of a mess...but that's what I get for not following the directions!

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