What a wonderful idea! Please post a photo when you finish it.

Yes, silly me as well.... I saw the youtube video of Missouri Star Quilt, Jenny did a race quilt and made it seem sooo easy. Supposedly it takes 45 mins. So I attempted it....they never tell you how twisted your 1600 inch strip would get and that it took me over 2 hrs to untangle it. Then I thought it would be better to pin the sides together so that it wouldn't get twisted again. Well I spent over 6 hrs on this 'quick easy quilt' and still haven't finished it. I'm at the squaring up and putting borders on part, so maybe the end is near?!
I'll post a pic when done.
Blessings,
MaryAnna

We did the "Jelly Roll Race" at our guild meeting. First we sewed all 40 strips end to end, which took about 20 minutes, then we started the timer and started sewing the actual top together. I won....in 55 minutes.

Oh, Queen, I would love to see this quilt finished....bright orange CA poppies on a black and white background would be exquisite!!

I live in beautiful Bozeman, Montana and have seen a bumper sticker often that says "did you move here to be in a hurry?" Same way I feel about quilting races. I quilt because I love the feel of the fabric, I feel great when I have finished something that I have made (be it easy are more difficult), and I love to give gifts that cannot be a duplicate of somebody else's gift. I don't want to be in a rush as so much of the rest of life is a rush. Yes, there may be a reason to try to get a gift on time, but I have been know to just add a note to a card that states "interesting things come to those who wait" and give the homemade gift when it gets done. Last time it was getting a baby quilt out to a 3 month old (just made it a little larger so she can use it longer) I have made (not yet quilted) the stip quilt you are talking about. It took me all afternoon but I enjoyed every minute of it. We were "camping" in our trailer in Ennis and DH got me all set up to play sewing while he went fishing for the afternoon. He came back to a happy wife and a cold beer so he was thrilled too.

I am another one that can't do "fast" things. Oh well, different stokes for different folks.

I did this quilt to out if jelly roll and it took me an hour to sew together the strips. After I did this I realized I had sewn them at wring angle and had to rip 40 strips and see again. Then another hour of sewing. Once they were sewn together I was able to do the race part and it took a hour and half. So so much for 45minute top.

Used a civil war fabric jelly roll and working on borders now.

Our guild did the jellyroll race as part of our sew-in for National Quilt Day--our winner did the sewing of the top together in 44+ min--but she sews FAST! I was that person that finally made it across the finish line at a slow walk! I didn't figure out a way to not get the twist when you doubled it, etc. I made this as a charity lap quilt (big one with 44 strips) but frankly thought it was pretty plain despite the bright batiks. So when I quilted it I started with a "sun" in the middle and then had sun rays going out to all sides. Not bad, although like the back (black with white and yellow sun/rays) better than the front!

I like that idea!!! I can't wait to see yours...Here's an early (((HUG)))

I just had a duh! moment...I really like the arrangement...will have to try one.

Cindy- your top is so pretty ! Love it and Thanks for sharing the pic- others please post them so we can all see them :)

I'm with you - if the directions say that it takes just this many minutes, I know that it will take me twice as long or more. Oh, well - I'm in it for the fun!

jelly roll race
 

Hi,
I have participated in the jelly roll race.
Came in 2nd sewing by myself, and have taught it to my quilt guild.
The winner had 2 13year olds helping her.
Please be fair in judging yourself.

First-the race does not start until all the strips are sewn together.
There are two ways to sew the strips
End to end-straight across- be sure you put the right sides together (called the jelly roll)
or sewn on the diagonal as if you were joining binding (called the lasagna quilt)

Always remember to cut off 18 inches from one end before you start to sew
so that all your seams do not line up in a row

From this point when you bring the ends together you can sew the quilt in 45 minutes
but you must be able to sew a quarter inch seam without pinning and sew quickly.
No stopping or snacking.

But quilting is suppose to be fun so just put the ends together and go for it.
It will finish quickly as each row of sewing the project gets shorter.

There is no magic way of sewing without the last end tangling.
Estimate where the end would reasonably be and cut. When you get to the end just
put your ruler down and square it off and start all over again.
Enjoy it--don't try to compare your sewing to speed sewers.

The reward is the quilt

Great post (and quilts)...I would love to try this, but like many others, speed and me (at least in quilting) just doesn't happen. As soon as the words "quick" "easy" or "10 min." bob up I'm done for:)

LOL Earthwalker- I definitely won't win any races but it was fun and makes a nice quilt top- Especially when you have some solids and dress it up with applique

For the first one I made (red & black), we sewed in a group and it took us 3 hours from start to finish. When I made my Christmas one (no picture available) it took about 2 hours, just sewing alone and not chatting.

Yep I made one and nope it was much longer then an hour even though the stripes were all sewn. I had run out of ideas for new designs for my soldier quilts so I watched the video and figured it would be a great easy one to do. NOT!!!! LOL
First I had to re-figure the length of fabric strips needed to accommodate the 54" x 78" quilt size. Not to hard.
Just take the width of finished strips (my was 2" finished) and divide it by the length, then multiple that by the width of the quilt. Although it came to an uneven number of rows, I just dropped one row off and then deducted that from the the width so I could add a small border.
Then I decided to use up as many scrap pieces as I could from all the soldier quilts I've been doing, again not hard. I think it took me all afternoon sewing them together because I was doing the binding method and of course you know I screwed up a few so I had to take them apart. Who knew I was going to sew backwards and upside down, just to form a long strip. Oh well teaches you to do things a bit slower or become good friends with Mr Ripper, Seam Ripper that is.

Any who, When all that was done I was to tired to start the "Race" so that had to wait until the next day. I got all excited about getting it done in an hour. Got up first thing in the morning and jumped right into it. It was the LONGEST hour I have ever spend on my machine.

No! seriously, that strip of fabric wrapped itself around me and held me hostage for at least 2 hours. I battled it with all I had but there was no controlling it's never ending hold. At one point I think it had a Nelson's strangle hold on me. I'm sure I fought it for 2 hours before I emerged the winner!

So here is what I tangled with. Hope you enjoy it.

Both very nice quilts ! Never thought of doing just a couple colors like the black and red hhhmmmmm.... Keep sharing I love seeing them all :)

[QUOTE=sharon b;5104675]I have seen on Utube the women who do the races and get them done in an hour :shock: so silly me thought hhhmmmmm if they can do it in an hour maybe I could get it done in about 3-4 hours , right ???


How long did it take? Once I got them all sewed together, it seemed it took most of the afternoon to sew the folds.
How do you stop the twisted knot before you get to the end to cut? I started from the fold and got my friend to help me hold it and worked my way to the two loose ends. When we got those even, I went back to the fold to snip and begin sewing. hope this helps.

Also please post pics so we can see them all :) I don't have it with me but when I get it quilted, I will post.

The hardest part for me was the pressing. If I have the strips mitered together I can make the top in about 35 or 40 minutes. BUT....The ironing takes forever and is awkward. I now get up and iron after each seam. It is so much easier on me.

Put on your sunglasses! Here is the quilt top I made at my retreat. The fabric is "Ruby" by Moda and the red border is matching yardage from Moda. Turned out way brighter than I expected! It hasn't been ironed yet - I heard it is a "bear" to iron!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]325353[/ATTACH]

No clue why the pic is showing up twice!

I found the perfect orange batik for the poppies! I think I'll put all the fabrics together in a project bin and put it in line now!

Iron ??? Uh... you mean we have to iron it :shock: LOL I haven't tried that yet but I bet it will be a pain- one lady told me she did it after each seam was sewn together .... **** big sigh**** LOL

Dang, now that is really cute!

What are the general directions for the jelly roll race quilt. I know you sew each piece of a jelly roll end to end, but then how do you put it together,I know you sew row by row but is there a rule of thumb as to where to start on the first strip. Do you cut off a certain amount, then continue so the rows are staggered. How wide do you generally go or is it just completely up to the quilter how wide they want the the quilt to be. I know it is simple, but I'm sure it is time consuming and I don't want to blow it just because I didn't follow simple directions.

I love the 10 minute block everything comes to gether so quickly, I made a strip quilt didn't like it so I cut up it into bags have nearly finished them,

For mine I cut the first strip in half that way all the seams are staggered - then after you have all the strips sewn end- to end you grab the two ends , match them up right sides together and start sewing - the fabric will twist and knot up - just try to get as far down it as you can then when you can't stand it anymore- cut the U as close to the middle as you can - then grab the 2 ends and start sewing again ... it ends up being 5 seams

I made one, and I love it. However, it did take longer than the tute says. It took about an hour and a bit to put all the strips together, but I didn't like how some of the strips lay next to each other. So...I cut it!!! I made blocks and sashed them, and added a border, with a colour that pulled all the strips together. That also made it a bit larger...which is nice on cold winter evenings!! Even if it does take longer than the tute says, it is still a pretty fast process for a quilt top.

I have started sewing bits and pieces of 2 1/4" scraps together as I am making other items and winding them onto an empty toilet paper roll. When the roll gets big enough, I will make a top out of them. Same process...just a LOT longer to put the strips together!!! LOL

Patti

What a neat Idea!:thumbup:

Actually, I can sew really, really fast. Problem is having to rip it all out. :thumbdown:

:D:D:D Me too!

I was asked to post a pic of my version of the jelly roll 1600. I cut my strips in half, so they are only half the width of the full strips. Then I cut one of the two ends in half again to stagger the seams. I have found I like this look better than the usual long strips.[ATTACH=CONFIG]340892[/ATTACH]

I like that (strips cut in half) better, too! Looks much more interesting, that way. :thumbup:

Thanks for posting the pic. I love it! I agree that your version is nicer.

I will takethe time at the end of each long strip sewing to straighten it out - at least somewhat. That way there isn't too much bunching at the end that has to be cut thru. It also depends on whether you sewing the strips on the diagonal or butt them together. We did it at a retreat early this year and the timing was between 1 hr 15 min for the fastest to about 2 hours. I also length the stitch one click. I think it is just as secure but goes a bit faster. I had rather take the time to straighten the strips each time rather than take the time fiddling thru the end to retain as much of the strip as possible. One or two at the retreat didn't even cut off the selvedge, that saved time but oh........
I have even pressed each seam when it is sewed. I think it makes it easier to alighn the next strip.
So guess the bottom line is just how much time you want to take. A local quilter did one for the center and then added a border made of squares all around. There were 4 rows of squares in a nice color arrangement. Looks great.
I also made one from one fabric. It was an ombre printed in pastel stripes. I cut the sections length of the fabric rather than cross the fabric. I cut 42" sections from the fabric and then cut the strips. Made a very intereting jelly roll quilt.

Never thought to cut the long strips in half- but I do like the way it looks :) Thanks for sharing

And how clever to roll the scrap strips until you have enough to do another top :thumbup:

I inserted a white block before each strip for a different look, which I really liked. It took a little longer but I liked the affect. I also did a little appliqueing on both sides.