The Fastest Quilt (Only One Jelly Roll)

Today I’m making the fastest quilt ever!

I’ve got a stunning jelly roll and I’m turning it into the most stunning pattern… in less than 2 hours!

And I’m not doing a small quilt this time…

So, if you’re looking for fast but jaw dropping, this is the project for you.

How Fast Can You Make a Quilt?

Sometimes we need to be able to make a quilt in a hurry.

Because we need a last minute project as a gift or because we’re in desperate need of some quilting therapy.

Let’s face it, as fun as it is the process, it’s looking at the end result and knowing WE DID THAT that makes us feel great!

Well, for me the fastest quilt I’ve ever made from top to bottom took me 2 hours or so.

How about you?

Fast & Easy Quilts Using Precuts

There are several fast quilt patterns you can use for making a fast quilt.

And most of these are quilts you can make in a day.

But for me, there is one basic rule for a quick quilt: Using precuts.

And there are great jelly roll quilt ideas out there…

So I guess, in a way, that’s what this tutorial is all about: how to make a quilt with precuts. (spoiler alert, it makes life so much easier)

For one thing, they already come cut in the shape you need.

Plus you get an array of fabric patterns that mix very well together without having to buy yards and yards of fabric.

Also, they are so much fun to work with!

The Fastest Quilt Ever! A String Quilt

For this quick quilt project, I’m making a table cloth, or a summer quilt, if you prefer.

That means no batting!

Also, I’ve chosen to make a string quilt, using those jelly roll strips and sewing them together just as they are, to save me some time.

It’s all about quick and easy quilts today and, before I’m done, you’re going to see just how gorgeous a fast quilt can be!

Let’s do it!

String Quilt Pattern Supplies

Jelly Roll
White Fabric
Backing fabric
Rotary Cutter
Rotary Blade
24” x 24” Quilting Ruler
Cutting Mat
Mini Iron
Ironing Wool Pad
Basic Sewing supplies: Pins, needles and thread
¼ on an inch foot (sewing machine)

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String Quilt Pattern Requirements

For this pattern, I’ll need:

Jelly Roll strips
2 inch white fabric strips
50×90 inch backing fabric

Step 1: Sorting the strips

Ok, let’s get started!

First step is to make groups of 5 fabrics.

Since our jelly roll has 40 strips, that’s 8 groups!

I want these fabrics to create a great contrast amongst each other, so no similar fabrics, if I can help it.

Step 2: Sewing the strips together

Next step is sewing all 5 strips together.

We want to use our 1/4 inch presser foot to make sure all our seams are nice and even.

Quick and easy enough, right?

Step 3: Pressing the strips

As far as I’m concerned, nothing looks good if it isn’t pressed.

I do not advise cutting anything without pressing the seams first.

So let’s do that!

No need to be very careful with the seam direction, because this project doesn’t require any seams to be nested.

Step 4: Cutting the squares

Next step is to cut these large strips into squares.

We measure the width of the 5 strips sewn together and that’s the size we’re using to cut the lenght of our squares.

Mine are 10 inches, so I expect to get 4 squares out of each strip.

Step 5: Cutting the white strips

Before we start building our puzzle, we need one more element: the white strips.

The jelly roll fabrics are gorgeous on their own, but adding sashing around the quilt blocks will add an extra detail that will make the world of difference.

I like using white fabric but feel free to use whatever color you prefer: beige, brown, green, black, whatever you like!

So I’m cutting some 2 inch white strips.

Step 6: Folding the white strip

Because my white fabric is very thin and transparent, I prefer to fold the fabric into 1 inch strips, that’s why I decided to cut 2 inch strips.

If the fabric you choose is good enough, 1 inch strips will do.

I just pressed the fabric in half, nothing to it!

Step 7: Adding the white strip

Time to add our white stripe to our squares. We want to add one white strip to the left of the blocks.

Except we’re changing direction of the blocks, so one has vertical strips and the one next to it will have horizontal ones.

The only square you won’t need to add a white strip is the first one on the row.

Step 8: Joining the squares

And after we added the white strip to the left of the squares, it’s time to connect our squares together by sewing them to the right of the white strip.

By the time we finish, we should have a nice row of squares separated by white sashing.

Step 9: Cutting the backing fabric

Now that we have our rows ready to go, it’s time to cut the backing fabric.

We want a 50 by 90 inch rectangle of backing fabric, I’m keeping with my white.

Step 10: Doing quilt as you go

And now it’s time to quilt as you go.

Or in this case, because we’re missing the batting, stitch and flip.

That’s when we add the top rows directly to the backing fabric as we sew the rows together.

But because we want to add the white sashing separating the rows, we place one row of squares on top of the backing fabric. then we add a white strip on top of that row.

And then we sew.

Step 11: Sewing the rows together

After that we straighten the white strip we’ve just added and then we add a new row of squares, right sides together.

We want to make sure that the top row of squares match the white sashing to the white sashing of the bottom row of squares to give it a clean look.

After we’ve pinned the second row in place, we sew!

And we keep doing that until all the rows are sewn in!

Step 12: Doing self-binding

After our quilt top is done, it’s time to take the backing fabric that we left around the top in order to do our self binding.

We fold the fabric twice, once to hide the raw edges and another to create the binding.

We use quilting clips to keep it in place.

Step 13: Sewing the binding

Final step is to sew as close to the inner edge as we possibly can.

All the way around.

Step 14: And that’s it!

And that’s it!

Our Fall tablecloth is complete and looking absolutely stunning!

Quick and easy, as promised, using a lovely jelly-roll that does half the work for us!

Awesome!

Watch the full tutorial!

Guys, how much fun was that?

And how easy and amazing is it to make a Fall table cloth or a Summer quilt?

And if you want to watch the video of this quick quick project getting made, here it is!