The only pattern that I have used with jelly rolls is the grandmas flower garden. Two jelly rolls and matching charm packs plus a little yardage and I am set to go. Our LQS does not ever get compete lines, so this method gives me more diversity than what is in the shop bolts.

I'm a jelly roll girl. Go to Cozy quilt desgins they have boat loads of patterns for these cuts. They are having a sale thru 2-24-11.w
www.cozyquilt.com

I never use them either...as far as I'm concerned you get so much more for your money buying yardage plus you have leftovers for scrappy quilts. I don't even buy fat quarters for this very reason. I too am more of a traditional quilter but do enjoy making many of the other style quilts.

I think many people buy them so they don't have to cut so much as it makes it a faster process for them. Imagine there are a number of reasons for buying them than not buying them as always different strokes for different folks......

They are great if you are big into applique. Lots of colors, patterns, etc. all rolled into one pkg. Also, since they are all by the same manufacturer the prints and colors all coordinate.

I too am a traditional quilter. I have not used a jelly roll but have used several layer cake collections. They make a great 10 minute quilt block and I also used one to make a the pattern called spinner. There are lots of patterns for the jelly rolls and layer cakes, I like Moda and they have great collections put together.

I think it is because a lot of the work is done when you use those things. They are already cut and ready to sew. that takes the "grind" part out and leaves the putting together part.

these are my favorite rulers too. they make short work of cutting and it is accurate. When cutting many strips it makes short work of it. Can cut a whole quilt in short amount of time. They are worth the price.

I agree. They do the fabric coordinating for you!

I saw jelly rolls on sale at a LQS and thought it might be a good time to try them. Of course all you really see is the outside fabric strip. I was so disappointed with the selection when I got it home and opened it. I ended up making a small quilt for charity just to get rid of it. So I'm really leary of purchasing what I can see.

I am a tradional quilter too, but I love the varity in the packs. Could never buy FQs of all of the!

I guess using fq, jelly rolls, charms takes the decision making out of choosing colors and type of prints. You can use jelly rolls in making strip quilts or crocheting throw rugs. FQ's can be used much like you would any fabric you choose for a quilt. The trick of using fq's for a quilt larger than a lap/crib quilt is to purchase more that of of that particular group. Charms are good for making scrappy type quilts. Jeanniebelle

I haven't used the pre-cuts much myself, but they really came in handy working with my 3 granddaughters--I am teaching them to sew and they are making their first quilts! I did a simple design with 5" charm packs.

Moda's Bake Shop is my favorite, too. Their fabrics are always great. Great weight, great colors, great quality and a pleasure to work with. I love jelly rolls and layer cakes.

Because I make many other things besides quilts (handbags, small wallhangings, jackets/vests etc.) I do buy FQ, Jelly Rolls, Charm packs and layer cakes.... and they're usually purchased for specific projects.

check out tutorials on missouri star quilt company. not much cutting, not much waste and RESULTS! love their tutes. And, the colors and fabrics are all matched. no second guessing.

Because I do crazy quilts, I don't need yardage of fabric, but smaller pieces of a lot of colors. I sometimes buy fat quarters if that's the only way the fabric is available. But I learned in Hancock's that "fat quarters" can be bought cheaper by having a true quarter yard cut. A fat quarter is half of a true quarter yard!!!! So now I stand in line and have my quarters cut and save money!!!!

I love the jelly rolls and FQ. They save time in pressing and cutting fabric. I live in a rural area, so many times will start with the jelly roll and purchase border or backing fabric to match when I get to a shop. Often I get coordinating fabric on-line. I find getting jelly rolls and FQ convenient when visiting shops on my travels when I want to pick something up but do not want to take the time to pick out fabric for a complete top. I posted a couple pictures of quilts I made from FQ and jelly rolls earlier in the week.

what are candy bars?

I kept on reading and found the answer. I love pre cuts.

I know one good reason. My good friend loves to quilt, but she suffers from tremors and had a very hard time cutting fabrics, especially with a rotary cutter. These smaller pieces are a dream come true for her. :)

I thought those were called "coins". Then what are coins?

Moda names their precuts after sweet things you eat.

I agree. It's rare that I find those pre-cut packs at a price that pencils out. I have bought a few, but only when it makes sense price-wise, and I really like all of the fabrics in them.

Marilynsue, did you make that quilt in your avatar? It is really beautiful.

O.K. I'm a newbie and have no idea what you are talking about. The only jelly rolls and honey buns I am familiar with are the fattening kind! Can someone give me a clue?

I've never used a jelly roll, turn over etc. I like to pick out my own fabrics. I did see one on Monday that I loved but I have no use for a quilt in those colors.

i buy them for my niece, i don't let her cut fabric yet (she might get hurt she's only 6).

i buy a bunch of charms or jellies and i let her pick out the ones she wants to put together - this way she learns how to put colors together.

and then we sew very simple quilts, pillow, aprons, etc.

I believe the answer is in the virtue of Predictibility. Pre-cut packs of fabric come from a single designer/manufacturer. and from a single line, or theme. This guarantees that the colors will harmonize nicely.

The set I bought was the Benartex Fossil Fern collection, and I was amazed at the control over tone and hue, so much so, that the neutrals, pastels, briights, and dull colors like mud and slate grey are all amazingly coordinated.

Being a natural Scrappy quilter, I am sensitive to clashing, both tolerating it and avoiding it most of the time. Pre-cuts save a lot of grief for beginners, and folks who prefer careful well-matched color schemes.

I got some and used them to make abbey bags, they are good for small stuff like that, and i just got a new quilt kit called straightlaced that uses eight fat quarters it comes out to be a lap quilt or wall hanging size, loved the asian fat quarter fabrics in it that i bought a few yards of a couple of them, don't use them too often though, not a fan of scrap quilts either. you could probably use them to make pin cushions, needle holders, etc.

Sometimes I love a line of fabric so much I want a little bit of it all. Since I usually make small quilts, it's actually cheaper for me in the long run to buy a jelly roll than a quarter yard (and sometimes shops won't cut anything less than half yards) of every print in a line.

I like charm packs for simple quilts. I do find the price a bit offputting, but its really about convenience. I'm not about to purchase a 1/4 yard when I really only need a small square.
I'm making my pinwheel quilt out of 2 charm packs and a white on white. It's turning out beautifully. I love the "flow" of the colors, and I knew what I was getting. There are a lot of websites that let you see all the fabrics in the line at the time with just a click of your mouse

I have 2 layer cakes, both were given to me.

I think they are too expensive. I only get jelly rolls and fat quarters if they are marked down.

It's a good way to buy a fabric collection you love and not have to pay the price for many larger pieces of yardage.

What are candy bars?

Around here fat quarters cost a bundle, I can find a remnant for less and more fabric. I don't buy FQ's or Jelly rolls, but then lately haven't bought any, am trying to use up some of my own scraps and fabrics.

ditto ditto Candace

i know that the precut fabric saves some people time, but for me, the measuring, and cutting is one of my favorite parts of the process....and of course, i then have scraps for any future scrap quilts i am going to make......gina

As a newbie I look at these first when in a store but I haven't found a line that I like. I lov batiks but haven't found any of themin thes desert cuts that pull me. I know from what I have read here that I im not into the more normal lines. I really am not a fan of moda.

I love scrappy quilts. The 2 1/2 inch strips can be worked into soooo many patterns. It saves a lot of cutting time.

First I don't have easy access to fabric stores so I have to buy online and it's hard to match fabric on a screen. I buy pre-cuts because that way I know the fabrics will match. Someone has already done the work for me.