Edges on jellyroll strips

[Kathryn S.]

Hello all, I noticed that most of the jellyrolls, layer cakes, etc offered in the quilt shops, have been cut with a pinked edge. How does a person know where the 1/4 inch seam allowance will go? This question has stopped me from trying any of these out.

I did see Eleanor Burns's new show and she sewed, then trimmed off excess seam allowance. Is that what we would need to do?

Many thanks for any insight,

Kathy :?

[Diane O.]

I have never purchased a Jelly Roll, but if I were concerned with being exact, I would measure the width of the strip to the inside and outside of the pinked edges. Since the strips are supposed to be 2.5 inches, if the width to the outer most edge is exactly 2.5, then use that as the basis for your 1/4" seam. If it is wider than 2.5 inches, then the seam would be closer to the inside edge of the pinking. (I hope this makes sense).

I know they use the pinking edge to keep them from raveling, but unless you are making something that needs to be EXACT, it probably doesn't matter where you line up your seam line, as long as you are consistant.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Kathryn S.]

Hi Diane, that's what I expected to hear. After years spent trying to be accurate when I cut and sew, I'll probably not buy any of the pre-cut fabrics unless I plan to trim after sewing. I have a hard enough time getting things right with an even cut edge!

Kathy

[Diane O.]

Kathy,

I agree with you, I purchased a fat quarter pack to make a quilt with back when I first started quilting (before I realized I could change patterns to suit my needs) and the fabric was so off grain that I was losing up to an inch on some of the FQ when I was cutting them for the quilt. My blocks were not turning out to be the "correct" size, and I ended up putting the whole project away for years. I swore I would never buy precut fabric again, if they were all going to be off grain that much. And that experience also got me started buying more fabric than the patterns called for, so if the fabric was rolled onto the bolt off grain, I would have plenty to work with to get it on grain, and a straight cut. (Plus I always buy more in case I mess up and make a wrong cut or cut the wrong fabric)

After learning more about quilting, and realizing that I could change a pattern any way I like, I pulled that project out, and took what I had, and managed to alter it to get it into a finished quilt. It didn't turn out anything like the original pattern, but it's a quilt and I like it.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Gloria H.]

I decided to use a layer cake for a dresden plate table topper. I assumed (silly me) that if you are selling a layer cake as 10" pieces of fabric, they would be 10". I cut all my blades based on that 10" size. I don't even know what made me check the measurement, but they were 9 3/4 inches. I had to paw through my stash trying to find a suitable background fabric. BIG lesson learned. Actually 2: don't assume anything and don't buy those precuts unless you bring your tape measure with you. I do have a jellyroll that I am going to use in a pattern that won't matter if the 2 1/2 isn't exact cause all it needs to be is consistent and the jellyroll is consistent. Good luck with your project.

[Eileen K.]

How can they do this? There have been books written using these rolls, cakes, buns, etc. What are you supposed to do?
eileenkny

[Judy M.]

I think these specialty cuts need to be cut larger to compensate for the size loss. I'm sure they're pinking the edges to prevent the raveling and thread mess--remember the strips that used to be sold in a round pack? Judy in Torrance

[Mary K.]

I think a lot of it depends on the jelly roll and the pattern. I've purchased the Moda jelly rolls (not pinked) and they've worked fine. We cut our own in out store and try very hard to be accurate. I've also made a ton of quilts from jelly roll patterns and since they are basically pretty simple, accuracy hasn't been as much of a problem. I think consistency of seam size is more important.