Originally Posted by acjacques
Jelly rolls are cut the width of the fabric; unless the print pattern fits on the 2-1/2 inch width, you will not see a complete pattern. If you want to see the entire pattern buy at least a linear quarter, if the pattern repeats are more than 9 inches though, you need to buy at least half a yard.
I'm not concerned with seeing the complete pattern but in seeing that the pattern, if it has say stripes, is straight.