15 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns You Can Sew This Weekend (Free & Modern Ideas)

09/18/2025 Editor

Jelly roll quilts are one of the fastest, easiest, and most satisfying ways to create a quilt top. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your quilting journey or a seasoned quilter looking for a quick weekend project, these jelly roll quilt patterns will spark your creativity and help you finish a quilt you’ll be proud of.

🧵 What Is a Jelly Roll Quilt?

This is a quilt made with jelly rolls — pre-cut fabric strips that are 2.5 inches wide and usually the width of the fabric (about 42″). A standard roll contains about 40 strips in coordinated fabrics, meaning you can dive right into sewing without spending hours cutting.

✨ Benefits of Using Jelly Rolls

Save time: No need to cut dozens of strips — the work is already done.
Coordinated fabrics: Each roll comes from a single collection, so your quilt looks harmonious without second-guessing colors.
Less waste: Pre-cuts mean you only buy what you need.
Perfect for beginners: Strip-pieced projects are straightforward and forgiving.
Speed: Many quilters can complete a jelly roll quilt top in a weekend!

🖤 15 Free & Inspiring Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns

Here’s a curated list of free patterns and tutorials you can start today. If you already have on hand, you can choose one of these and get sewing right away!

Jelly Roll Race Quilt – The ultimate speed quilt — join strips end-to-end, sew, fold, repeat.

Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns – fast strip quilt made with 2.5 inch fabric strips

Rail Fence Jelly Roll Quilt – Classic beginner-friendly block using 3 strips per block.

Rail Fence Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – easy beginner-friendly quilt using pre-cut strips

Log Cabin Variation – Use strips for a modern take on this timeless block.

Log Cabin Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – modern log cabin blocks made from jelly roll strips

Strip & Flip Quilt – Sew strips together, then cut and rearrange for a bold visual effect.

Strip and Flip Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – creative strip quilt with flipped panels

Diagonal Strip Quilt – Arrange strips on point for a dynamic layout.

Diagonal Strip Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – on-point design with bold diagonal layout

Modern Ombre Jelly Roll Quilt – Use gradient fabrics to create a color-fade effect.

Modern Ombre Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – gradient color quilt using jelly rolls

Scrappy Trip Around the World – Stunning design with jelly roll strips sewn into tube sets.

Scrappy Trip Around the World Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – colorful travel-inspired quilt

Bargello Jelly Roll Quilt – Create a wavy, moving design with careful strip placement.

Bargello Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – wavy quilt design with dramatic movement

Stair Step Quilt – Build a geometric, graphic layout with minimal cutting.

Stair Step Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – geometric step design made from strip sets

Jelly Roll Twist Quilt – Fun pattern that uses half-square triangles with strip sets.

Jelly Roll Twist Quilt Pattern – half square triangles and twist design using strips

Rainbow Strip Quilt – Show off a colorful roll in ROYGBIV order.

Rainbow Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – colorful ROYGBIV quilt using fabric strips

Baby Size Jelly Roll Quilt – Great for gifts and easy to quilt on a domestic machine.

alt="Baby Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – small lap size quilt perfect for gifts and nurseries"

Striped Table Runner – Quick project that uses leftover strips.

Striped Table Runner Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – quick and easy jelly roll project

Holiday Jelly Roll Quilt – Perfect for Christmas fabrics or themed projects.

Holiday Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – Christmas-themed strip quilt with seasonal fabrics

Two-Color Strip Quilt – Use a limited palette for a sophisticated, modern look.

Two-Color Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern – minimalist and modern strip quilt design

💡 Tip: For each of these patterns, add your own twist — alternate strip order, insert solids, or add sashing for variety.

🛒 Beginner Quilter Starter Kit (Affiliate Section)

If you’re ready to start your first project, here are our recommended tools and materials:

Tool / Material	Why You Need It	Our Recommendation
Rotary Cutter + Mat	Clean, accurate cuts make piecing easier.	Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter + Mat
Acrylic Ruler Set	Keep strips square & even.	Creative Grids Quilting Ruler Set
Quality Thread	Smooth seams, fewer breaks.	Aurifil 50wt Cotton Thread
Quilt Batting	The “fluff” that gives your quilt body.	Warm & Natural Cotton Batting
Pins or Clips	Hold layers together when assembling.	Clover Wonder Clips
Beginner Sewing Machine	Straight, even stitches every time.	Brother CS7000X Quilting Machine

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🪡 How to Start Your First Project

Even if you’re new to quilting, you can tackle a project with confidence. Here’s the basic process:

Choose a Pattern: Select one of the patterns above that matches your skill level.
Prep Your Strips: Some quilters like to press the strips first for smoother seams.
Join Strips: Sew them along the short ends with a 1/4″ seam, alternating direction to avoid bowing.
Press and Subcut: Press seams carefully and cut according to your pattern instructions.
Assemble Top: Lay out your blocks or strips, sew rows together.
Baste and Quilt: Layer backing, batting, and top; baste with pins or spray; quilt as desired.
Bind: Finish with binding strips (you can make binding from leftover jelly roll strips!).

🧼 Care & Preparation Tips

Pre-wash? Most quilters don’t pre-wash jelly rolls (they can fray). Instead, use color catchers during the first wash.
Starch strips before cutting or sewing for crisper piecing and reduced stretch.
Label rows: If working on a large quilt, use sticky notes or painter’s tape to keep order.
Chain piece: Speed up sewing by sewing strip pairs in continuous chains.
Stay organized: Use a design wall or floor layout to keep track of strip placement.

🔗 More Models Resources (External)

These are excellent places to find new patterns, fabric inspiration, and color ideas.

❓ FAQs about this model

1. How many jelly rolls do I need for a quilt?
Most throw-size quilts use 1–2 jelly rolls. Queen-size may need 2–3 rolls, depending on pattern.

2. Can I wash my project fabric before sewing?
It’s not recommended — pre-washing can cause fraying and distortion. Use as-is and wash after finishing.

3. What size quilt can I make with one jelly roll?
Usually about 50″ x 60″ (lap size) when using all strips.

4. Do jelly rolls shrink after washing?
Yes — like any cotton fabric. Account for about 3–5% shrinkage.

5. Can I mix jelly rolls from different collections?
Absolutely! Mixing can create a scrappy, one-of-a-kind look.

🧵 You May Also Like:

Cathedral Windows Quilt Pattern – A delicate and dimensional pattern perfect for hand-stitch lovers.
Tumbling Blocks Quilt Pattern – Create stunning 3D effects with this timeless optical illusion quilt.
That Hexy Puff Blanket Crochet Pattern – If you’re also into crochet, this dimensional hexagon blanket will charm you.

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