How to Sew Two Jelly Roll Baby Quilts at Once

Creating two baby quilts at the same time using jelly rolls is a clever, time-saving technique perfect for quilters looking to maximize efficiency and have two coordinated but unique quilts ready to gift or keep. By sewing two at once, you can quickly assemble beautiful quilts with minimal cutting and piecing while letting the colors and patterns of jelly roll strips shine.

What You’ll Need

Two Jelly Rolls: Each jelly roll typically includes around 40 pre-cut 2.5-inch strips, which should be enough to make two baby-sized quilts. Select rolls with coordinating or contrasting colors.
Batting: Enough batting to fit the size of both quilts.
Backing Fabric: Fabric large enough to back each quilt, which can be coordinated or contrasting, depending on your preference.
Binding: Pre-made binding or strips of fabric cut for binding the quilt edges.

Steps to Sew Two Jelly Roll Baby Quilts at Once

Select and Organize Your Strips: Divide your jelly roll strips into two groups. You can organize these by color or pattern to achieve a balanced design in each quilt, ensuring both have a harmonious look.
Sew the Strips Together: Take a set of strips from each group and sew them together along the long edges to form two long, continuous panels. Use a ¼-inch seam allowance for a clean finish. Alternate the order of strips if desired to give each quilt a unique arrangement.
Cut the Panels: After sewing the strips together, you’ll have two long panels. Press each panel’s seams in the same direction. Cut each panel into square or rectangular blocks to your preferred size. Typically, a block size of 10-12 inches works well for baby quilts.
Arrange and Join Blocks: Lay out the blocks in a pleasing arrangement for each quilt. You can stagger the strips to create a “brick” effect or keep them aligned for a more traditional look. Once you’re happy with the layout, sew the blocks together to complete the quilt tops.
Layer and Quilt: Layer each quilt top with batting and backing fabric. Baste the layers together with spray adhesive, pins, or stitching around the edges.
Quilting: Quilt as desired. For jelly roll baby quilts, simple straight-line quilting along the seams or in a grid pattern is easy and effective. Free-motion quilting can add texture but requires more experience.
Bind the Quilts: Finish each quilt by attaching the binding around the edges. Use coordinating or contrasting binding for each quilt to give them their own distinct style.

Tips for Success

Chain Piecing: Chain piecing is especially helpful when assembling the strip sets. This involves sewing multiple pieces in a continuous line, reducing time spent starting and stopping with each new strip.
Color Variation: If you’re using coordinating jelly rolls, consider varying the strip arrangement for each quilt for a different visual effect.
Experiment with Layouts: While jelly roll quilts are often made with strips arranged side-by-side, feel free to experiment with layouts such as diagonal rows or offset patterns for added interest.

Benefits of Making Two Quilts at Once

Time Efficiency: Creating two quilts at once saves time and effort, especially when piecing and quilting.
Perfect for Gifting: This method is perfect if you need multiple baby gifts or want one for personal use and one to give away.
Enhanced Creativity: You get to experiment with colors and layouts in real-time, creating two different looks with similar materials.

This approach is ideal for quilters looking to make the most out of their jelly rolls while creating beautiful and functional baby quilts. By following these steps, you’ll complete two quilts with minimal hassle, leaving you with more time to enjoy the finished products.