charsuewilson

The jelly roll quilts made with 2.5" strips will always be 32" or 64" long, unless you make some adjustments. To make one 96" long, you would need to add a strip after sewing the first 2 ends together. The added strip would need to be 1/2 the length of the first strip.

So, for example, if you used 80 strips, sewed the ends together, then added a piece of 40 strips. (or just used 3 pieces of 40 strips, with the ends adjusted so that they won't all end up the same length at the beginning of the strip)

80 strips x 40" = 3200"
add 40 strips x 40" = 1600"

first sew 1600" x 3 x 2" = 6"
800 x 12"
400 x 24"
200 x 48"
100 x 96"

It would come out a little less than 100" from sewing the strips together, and even more less than 100" if you used diagonal seams. With butt ended seams, you'll lose 1/2" per seam. With diagonal seams, you'll lose 2 or 2.5" per seam.

I like the diagonally attached fabric, and also like the squares of an accent fabric attached to butt ends of fabric. I've usually seen those as black squares, but any accent color would work as long as it is contrasted from the rest of the strips.

So, to get lengths in between those, you'd just add another strip - when you have 4 strips sewn, add a 5th strip the length of the 4 strips. It's not difficult to calculate. And you can change the width of the strips to change the length of the quilt.

GrammieJan

I like that idea, Peckish! I am about to make one of these quilts and was hoping the arrangement of strips would be good. If not...there is a way to make a change!

Belfrybat

Here are two I did a while back. I cut my strips 3" wide instead of 2-1/2".
I really like doing these when I want a "mindless" project, but sometimes don't like the colour arrangement. On the batik one pictured here, I ended up with too much of the same colours together about one third the way down. So unpicked a seam and flipped that whole piece upside down and re-sewed it to help balance out the colours a bit better. Took hardly any time to do.
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PolkaBabe

After I made the first one from 2 jelly rolls I had enjoyed it so much that when we had gotten the polka dot marble blenders in the store I purchased yardage & cut my own & made another one. Yes the first part is a long one, but you are at the end before you know it. My first one a friend has seen it & loves it, so guess what she will be getting it & I know that it will get used.

Istartquilts

@Chester_the_bunny
I just love how you added those friendships stars! That is, I love how they look but I can’t quite figure out how to do it. Did you have a pattern or can you give me some more information?

Istartquilts

I just love this quilt and could really use some help in figuring out how to make it. Did you have a pattern or can you tell me how to fit the stars in as I’m working?

Chester the bunny

Istartquilts - I sent you a PM. As mentioned this was not a pattern, I simply sewed my strips together and cut them the width of the quilt and laid them on the design wall. I added the stars where I wanted them by inserting the square and adding a quick corner to the piece on each side.

MadQuilter

I've made a few and agree that it is a bit boring. Mine were not "raced" to the finish (if you ever see me run, there is something very big and bad following me, and the same goes for sewing). I like the effect, so I sat through the boredom. It does make for a quick project.

cathyvv

Luckily, there is no rule that says the jelly roll quilt top must be done in one session nor one that says you must not iron until all the strips are attached. If there is, I have broken it several times!

My ironing board is across the room from where I sew, too, and for the exact reason you suggest, a break. However, on a health note, my dr was concerned that I was sitting in one place for too long while sewing. She mentioned the possibility of blood clots forming, so I explained my set up to ease her mind. It also helps my back shoulders, neck etc. to move around.

sharisews

I competed in a jelly role race at a retreat. It actually turned out very nice ..... until someone thought that it could be bettered by cutting it in an accemeterical way. I then hated it. Late gave it for a charity quilt. It was finally finished but not to my satisfaction.