How many different fabrics are typically in a jelly roll?
 

Although I have used jelly rolls several times, I never paid attention to how many different fabrics were in each roll. I have gifted those quilts. The reason I ask is that I want to cut my own jelly roll for use in a Missouri Star Quilt tutorial pattern....and don't want it TOO busy. Thanks!

It depends on the company and the fabric line. Jelly Rolls from Moda typically have 40 strips. Often there are 38 fabrics in a line so they repeat a few. Hoffman Bali Pops have 40 different fabrics. Timeless Treasures Treat Strips have 40 strips, 2 each of 20 different fabrics.

I think you could cut your own however you like!

Andi

I've bought jelly rolls where there were only 6 different fabrics (Walmart I think) and then some Modas which almost every strip was different. Guess it just depends.

I buy some when I find ones that I love, but like to cut my own also. A suggestion if you don't want it too busy...mix in some marbles or tonal blender fabrics, or even solids if you like them. They help balance it out a bit. Also, if you vary the size of the print, it helps too. What I mean is don't use the exact same print but in different colors. Depending on the design, you might want a dozen or so different fabrics for a good mix.

The only Jelly roll I ever bought has 50 strips of 8 different fabrics. I have a scrap bin of 2 1/2 strips that I have been building for a roll..The strip lengths are varied from 6 inches to WOF...I figure if it gets too busy, I will keep the borders simple..I may also sash every few rows in solids if it looks too busy!!

20 to 40 depending on where you are buying them.

Depends on the jellyroll. Bella and Kona both offer jellyrolls where all the strips are from the same fabric (solid fabric in this case). I've seen some where it looks like every single strip is from a different fabric.

If you're cutting your own, I think to get a good variety you'll need at least 5 different fabrics. Maybe no more than 10 to avoid the quilt getting too busy.

And then Connecting Threads has their strip sets which vary from around a dozen strips up to 20 something or so!

Maybe if you found a couple different fabric lines that coordinate that would work out. Lots of similar colors will make it look cohesive even if the patterns are a bit busy.