DIY jelly rolls!
 

I love, love, love piecing with Jelly Rolls!!! But, they can be expensive, and usually you have fabric repeats, right?

So, yesterday I had an ah-ha moment! Why don't I make my own?! I've got lots of fabric (doesn't everyone?) In the future, every time I get out a new piece to use in a quilt, or whatever, I'm going to cut one 2 1/2 inch strip off. They'll pile up fast, and voila, DIY Jelly Rolls!

I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of this! Is anyone else out there making their own jelly rolls?

I use a Go 2 1/2" strip die to make jelly rolls. I watched a youtube video how they are hand rolled. The strips are easier to store rolled up that way. I like having pre cut strips all in blues, greens, reds, solids, etc. I still buy jelly rolls to get all the different fabrics in one fabric line. I prefer at at least two strips of each print.

I also cut my own, I don't roll them unless I am storing them for a while. I love strip type piecing.

The June Tailor Shape Cutter ruler helps. With the current 50% off coupon, you can get their basic shape cutter for $12. Just lay down 4 layers of fabric (assuming you have a good rotary blade) and you can cut 4 sets of "jelly rolls" without moving your fabric (i.e., you get 16 strips at a time). The only downside is that the strips are only 12.5" long with the basic shape cutter so unless you're going to fold your fabric into quarters (which is possible), the strips won't be very long. Still, even if you go with their longer shape cutter ruler so you only need to double the fabric, it costs less than a single jelly roll & you can pick your own fabrics, while saving money from the get-go.

I like picking out my own fabrics, so yes, I do cut my own strips. I'm making a single irish chain right now & cut all my strips except the white ones. I ended up caving & buying a jelly roll of Moda Bella in Snow. Best money I ever spent. I really h-a-t-e cutting. It's probably my least favorite part of the process.

I use the June Taylor Shape Cutter all the time to cut 2 1/2 strips. I fold my fabric in fourths...from selvage to the center ... and it cuts a WOF quite easily.

Dina

That is why so many of us have a June Taylor Shape Cut Pro. Makes cutting jelly roll strips from fabric easy and accurate.

I have three sizes of the Shape Cut and always end up with several miss cut strips. I have the Alto Quilt 2, I have miss cut strips. I have the new Stripology ruler, miss cuts there too. I'm just not adept at cutting and getting the exact result each time. The only way I can get accurate cuts every time is with the die cut.

I use the Go! Baby and make tons of jelly roll strips. It is so much cheaper to do it yourself. Sometimes on Ebay there are rolls that go for a lot less than the quilt stores. But making your own will let you mix the fabrics that you want.

I use a June Tailor Shape cutter for my 2 1/2" strips. Works great. Sometimes I just cut them with my ruler but I can get them more accurate with the June Tailor

All of these areas are great, but the main reason I buy jelly rolls is to get the whole fabric line to use in a quilt. I like the way the fabrics all blend so well.