If you are just starting out on quilting, you may want to try the beautiful shapes and patterns, or even a t-shirt quilt. However, the best quilt to start with is the famous jelly roll quilt.
Why a jelly roll quilt?
A jelly roll is a roll of 2 ½” pre-cut fabric strips, usually of colors and patterns that complement one another.
Jelly rolls can be the perfect tool if you are looking to get into quilting, as it allows you the opportunity to try out quilting before jumping right in and purchasing a ton of fabric. Since jelly rolls come in pre-cut slices, this makes it a perfect option for your first quilt. This simplification takes the guesswork out of fabric selection, which can be one of the more daunting tasks for a beginner. With the predefined color palette and patterns, you can focus more on learning the techniques of piecing and quilting rather than worrying about the aesthetic compatibility of your fabrics or by starting a project that is very advanced, causing you to potentially get frustrated or overwhelmed.
Using a jelly roll for your first quilting project can also significantly speed up the process. Pre-cut fabrics mean you can skip the initial steps of measuring and cutting yardage, which not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of errors that could occur during these phases. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who might find the precision required in cutting fabric intimidating. By starting with a jelly roll, you can dive straight into the art of quilting, building confidence as you go along.
Additionally, the variety within a single jelly roll pack allows for creativity without the overwhelm. You can experiment with different arrangements of the strips, learning how colors and patterns interact in a quilt design. This experimentation is an excellent way for beginners to understand more about design principles in a forgiving format. The ease and satisfaction of completing a beautiful quilt with a jelly roll can be very encouraging, fostering a newfound passion for quilting that may lead to more complex projects in the future.
Starting your quilting journey with a jelly roll quilt is an excellent choice for beginners. The convenience of pre-cut fabrics not only alleviates the stress of fabric selection and preparation but also provides a platform for creativity and learning. It allows you to focus on the essential skills of quilting, like piecing together beautiful designs and mastering the quilting process itself, without getting bogged down by the complexities of fabric cutting and pairing.
As you grow in confidence and capability, the skills and enthusiasm developed from your initial projects with jelly rolls can naturally evolve into more intricate and personalized quilting endeavors. With jelly roll quilts, you can set a strong foundation for a rewarding and enjoyable quilting experience.
Check out this article where we discussed jelly rolls!
