Boxing Day Jelly Roll Quilt

A clever idea for a quilted sofa throw, this Boxing Day Jelly Roll Quilt is sure to become one of your go-to free jelly roll quilt patterns. With a simple but intriguing geometric pattern and muted colors, this quilt makes an excellent gift for a man. If you don't have a whole jelly roll, you can also use fabric scraps in this pattern. Arranging simple quilt block patterns to create a more complex design is a great way to improve your eye and designer skills for future quilt patterns.

Project TypeMake a Project

Quilt Size56.5 inches wide x 72.5 inches long

Time to CompleteA week or two

Primary TechniquePieced

Easy

MATERIALS:

Note: Your strips must be at least 22" long after squaring up the ends and removing selvages.

32 strips, 2-1/2" x 22", of light prints
31 strips, 2-1/2" x 22", of dark prints
1 fat quarter each of 4 light fabrics
1 fat quarter each of 4 dark fabrics
1/2 yard of dark print for bias binding
3-7/8 yards of fabric for backing
65" x 81" piece of batting

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cutting:

From each of the 32 light strips and 31 dark strips, cut:

2 rectangles, 2-1/2" x 6-1/2" (64 light and 62 dark total)
2 rectangles, 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" (64 light and 62 dark total)

From each of the light and dark fat quarters, cut:

8 squares, 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" (64 total)
16 squares, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" (128 total)

Making the Blocks:

You will make two color combinations of this block: blocks with light centers and dark edges, and blocks with dark centers and light edges. Pair up your fabrics, choosing one light and one dark for each block.

Boxing Day Jelly Roll Quilt

Stitch a light 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangle to each side of a dark 4-1/2" square.
Stitch a dark 2-1/2" square to a 2-1/2" x 6-1/2" light rectangle. Make two.
Join the units from step 2 to the top and bottom of the unit from step 1. Make sure the dark squares are in opposite diagonal corners. Make 32 blocks with dark centers and light strips on the outside edges.
Reversing the colors, make 31 blocks with light centers and dark strips on the outside edges.

Assembling the Quilt Top:

Arrange and sew the blocks into nine rows of seven blocks each, alternating the blocks with the light and dark outside edges. The four corners of the quilt should all have blocks with light outer edges. Press the seam allowances toward the blocks with dark outer edges.
Join the rows, matching seams. Press.

Finishing Your Quilt:

For step-by-step instructions on quilt-finishing techniques (layering, basting, quilting, binding, and much more), please visit ShopMartingale.com/HowtoQuilt.

Mark the quilt top with the design of your choice. Layer with batting and backing. Baste. Hand or machine quilt as desired.
Cut 2-1/4"-wide bias strips for binding. Make a total of 268" of bias binding.
Make and attach a label to the quilt.

Note: First published in Rolling Along: Easy Quilts from 2-1/2" Strips

For more great jelly roll quilt patterns, check out our printable collection, How to make a Jelly Roll Quilt: 9 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns!