I asked a question before about a jelly roll that I bought, but I don't think that I explained what I needed help with very clearly. So please be patient with me as I ask for your help once again.

My sister bought me a jelly roll for my birthday. The fabrics in it are beautiful. But, some of the strips have the printed selvages showing. I thought that the advantage of using precuts is that you don't need to work too hard getting the strips in the sizes that you need. But, with the selvages needing to be cut off...I will be left with different sizes/length strips. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of using precuts? Or, am I being unreasonable in my expectations that the strips would all be the same usable lengths?

Maybe one of you could explain it all to me. Thanks for any help that you can give me. :?:

I don't think you're being at all unreasonable. However, I've heard others saying that their precuts: jelly rolls, charm squares, etc...were not cut evenly. So, I think it is just a possibility always. It doesn't always happen, but sometimes it does. And since it was a gift, no way to check for accuracy ahead of time. If you do the jelly roll quilts that are sewn in strips, you could probably put your narrower strips together, trim them to a consistent width, and not worry about it. Shouldn't be too tedious if there aren't too many. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. I think that I will just remove the same amount fromeach of the strips and then do my pieces from that.

Jelly rolls are 2 1/2" strips cut width of fabric. The same with honey buns that 1 1/2" strips cut width of fabric. It is the same as buying yardage, but the strips are already cut.

I thought they were all supposed to be selvedge free, or is that a misconception on my part? :D:D:D

I think they aren't selvedge free, they are cut from the width of fabric. Maybe if you purchase from individuals or stores that cut their own, they could be selvedge free--but not those cut in the factories.

I've never heard that. They are width of fabric, includes selvedge.

I've never had a jellyroll that had the selvage. What would be the point of having it pre-cut if you have to deal with the selvage??

I've ALWAYS had selvage on my Moda jelly rolls.

Every jelly roll I have has selvedges on the ends of the strips. They are cut across the width of the fabric from selvedge to selvedge. Not all fabrics from the same manufacturer are exactly the same width so the length of the strips may vary some. Plus not all selvedges are the same. Some are wider than others, some are white and some are printed the same as the fabric. Even the end with the selvedge the same as the fabric should be trimmed off.

You probably shouldn't figure on a useable width more than 40 inches.

Same as Scissor Queen, every one I've had has had selvedges, and the strip lengths do vary slightly. If you are joining strips, just trim the "non printed" selvedge ends, and cut from that end. You will get at least 40" or 41" to sub cut. Any odd extra bits are a bonus for the scrap bin!
Usually jelly roll patterns only work on a 40" length for cutting.

Same as Scissor Queen and Katrine.
Any selvedges I've had have been on the very end of the strip so doesn't affect the width of the strip at all. And the length of the strip is usually still a usable 40".

Yep! Agree with everyone else! I only use Moda Jelly Rolls they all have selvedge but the length is always consistant!

Same here. I guess depending on the pattern you are using with your jelly roll. I made the Super Easy Jelly Roll that has been posted on this board so it really didn't matter that the strip was shortened by just a bit. There was only a selvege on maybe 6 of the strips. I just need to add boarders and finish it.

My jelly rolls have had selveges on the ends only - the 2-1/2 inch wide edge. I just trim these off. It's usually not a problem that the strips aren't exactly the same length.

I've always had them too.

I did learn something from this post. Selvedges and selvages are the same thing, just different spellings.

Anyway, it was mentioned to trim the printed selvedge. I trim BOTH selvedges whether printed or not.

I've made 2 quilts using jelly rolls. I just snipped off the selvege. I used the pattern where you sew them end to end. Here are the 2 I made. These just need borders.

All of you are wonderful for taking the time to answer my question! I love the fabric in my jelly roll, and know that it will look beautiful in whatever I decide to make. I think that I will cut the same amount off of each piece so that I can do the "math" a little more easily in whatever pattern or design I use.
But, now I know...charm pack, no selvages...jelly roll, selvages!

Again, thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to answer. Happy Thaksgiving!

Sherry, Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors. Can you tell me the name and manufacturer of the jelly roll that used? Thanks.

Holly

Thank you Holly. They came from Connecting Threads. It is the Enchantment Sampler. There are only 24 strips in one sampler package so I ordered 2 sampler packs. It was the first time I have ordered from Connecting Threads and I was very pleased.

Sounds like you got a "dodgy roll" and you would have every right to exchange it for a good one.

just line up your strips, sew them together, then trim the ends even cutting off the salvages at the same time, everything will be the same length. really, pre-cuts are for convienience, so don't over complicate it :thumbup:

I love jelly rolls which saves me time in having to cut 30/40 strips.Taking the time to cut a small amount off the ends doesn't bother me since most of the time you have to anyway.

Audrey, maybe yours would work better for a string quilt top, where the widths don't need to be even or the lengths. One thing I like about fabric, you can always find a use for it.
But I still can't explain why I have so much in my stash!