Jelly Roll "race" quilt - Horrible
 

I started a Jelly Roll "race" quilt - you know - sew them all end to end, then pick up both ends and sew them lengthwise and continue.

I did this as a "backdrop" for some applique I wanted to do, I thought this was an "easy" way to have a backdrop that had some pizazz to it instead of just a plain cloth.

Easy?

NO WAY!

The technique is easy enough (even if I did purchase yardage and cut the 2.5" strips myself), but sitting at a sewing machine for that amount of time is not my idea of fun!! That first row was a killer!

I remembered there is a reason my ironing board is set up on the opposite side of the room from my sewing machine. I LIKE and apparently NEED the small breaks away from my machine.

I thought I was going to die from boredom!!!

Bless your heart, you could post a pic for us. I don't think I could sit long enough to do one Bargellos are hard enought.

After watching some friends do this "endless jelly roll" one night, I decided never to do it. Seemed like torture to me.

While the technique was a terror for you ... how about the results?

I hope that you are happy as that fabric was just too beautiful for it to not turn out.

If you're not actually racing, can't you just get up and stretch once in a while? Or is it so hypnotic that you feel you have to complete the seam? I know I sometimes get started on something and can't tear myself away, even when I know there are better, more important, and more pleasurable things that I could be doing.

I took breaks when I did mine, and still got it done in an evening. Breaks are important! It isn't a real race.

:D I hear yah!

This past Saturday I participated for the very first time in a jelly roll race. I am with you... I did not enjoy it and am not particularly happy with the way the fabrics come together. I found that I like to sew fast but I also like to take my time and position the fabric pieces so they lay flat and straight. That is hard to do when you are in a race against time and others. The fortunate thing for me was that there were only three of us. I came in dead last on all five heats. The price for 3rd place was quite nice. It was a Baby Lock kit of embroidery scissors, small scissors and a very nice, very sharp slicing type of a seam ripper. Oh, and the people were wonderful.

OMG ... you did five races??
So sorry that you didn't have a better experience ... I'm like you, not one for races, and would sooner be able to take my time.


So will both of you please show us your quilt tops ??

I called it a "race" quilt only because that's the type of quilt I'm doing ... I am NOT racing. Race? No no no no no.

Taking plenty of breaks and each time I came back in to sew I swear the pile of unfinished strips grew!!

Managed to get the second round done ... as expected it was only half as bad as the first :)

Like the results so far. Glad I chose this instead of a plain background.

I knew what you were saying ... I get bored when it's just straight thru sewing!!!

What will be different about yours, is that you don't have near so many different fabrics in the mix. I'll look forward to seeing how it looks when put together.

And another tedious monotonous sewing day tomorrow on the "race" pattern?


(:D*note* I said pattern, instead of quilt to hopefully convey to those following the non-race, just the pattern style that they are camiliar with!!! :D)