Next Meeting - {Jelly Roll} RACE to the Finish!

Exciting things are happening at ECMQG, and June will be no exception.  We're going to have a Jelly Roll Race!

What is a Jelly Roll Race, you ask?  It's a super fun little competition where we see who can sew a jelly roll into a quilt the fastest.

How long will it take?  Some people say it can be done in 30 minutes.  Some say an hour.  Some maintain it is 90 minutes.  What's the record?  I have no idea, but these quilts are FAST!


What will you need to play?

A Jelly Roll - must contain 40 2-1/2" strips
Your sewing machine
Normal sewing tools, but especially don't forget scissors

How do you play?

First, you sew your jelly roll strips together into one long, long, long strip - 1600 inches long!  You may miter the corners (sew them at a 45* angle) or just sew them straight.  You can put spacers in between the strips.  This is totally up to you.

There are various theories about how to arrange the strips.  Some people never put two strips in the same color together.  Some people don't put two strips in the same pattern together.  It's totally your decision.  One thing to know is that you really can't predict what strips will be next to each other when you sew your jelly roll together in the jelly roll race.  But, because it's a jelly roll, you know that your colors and designs will all coordinate and look fabulous together.

Now, cut off 18" from one end.  This is what gives the jelly roll race quilt its random placement.  Put this 18" strip in your scrap basket.

When we say "GO!", begin to sew.  Take the two ends of your long strip and sew them together.  This is the hardest part because it seems to take for-ev-er!!  Hang in there.  It gets better.

When you reach the end, cut the strips apart at the loop, grab the two ends, and sew them together.  Repeat.  And repeat.  And repeat.  Until you have all the strips in your jelly roll sewn together.  If you are the fastest, you win!

So grab a jelly roll, gather up your sewing stuff, and Let's Race!  There will be a special prize for the winner!  And door prizes every half hour!*  

Photo courtesy of United Notions

Want to see a Jelly Roll Race in action?  Jenny at MSQ has a fun video.  

Want to find out more about Jelly Roll Race sizing and details?  Wee Folk Art has three blog posts on her experience making a JRR.

Want some inspiration about what to do with your JRR quilt when it's finished?  Try this Pinterest board with a ton of ideas.

But whatever you do, be sure not to miss the June meeting!  It's sure to be exciting!

*Must be present to win.  When you leave, your tickets are void.