Crossroads Quilt Guild-RC Program Night

All welcome.  Join us at Reed City Church of the Nazarene for our program night.

This is a fun evening of fellowship and getting to know each other while learning a technique we may not have had the opportunity to try before.

February Program Night on February 24th.  It requires some prep work:
You will need a 2-1/2" strip set, also known as a Jelly Roll. You can purchase one or create your own by cutting 40–42 strips at 2-1/2" by the width of fabric (WOF). Miley had fun going through my fabric stash to create a scrappy set for my own sample Jelly Roll Race quilt.  ​​  ​​

Preparation:Before the program, please cut off the selvage ends of your 40–42 strips. While you can do this at the event, prepping ahead of time will allow you to get more sewing done.

A standard Jelly Roll Race produces a quilt top approximately 50″ x 64″. It is a fast-paced project with no seams to match, making it perfect for a "whimsical and random" design.
Instructions:
1. Connect the Strips: Sew, Sew, Sew your strips together end-to-end to create one continuous strip (approximately 1,600” long). You can sew them with straight seams or at a 45-degree angle. Don't overthink the order, though you can add a fabric square or rectangle between strips for extra design. Using a fabric clip on the beginning piece will help you stay organized in the next steps.  It makes quite a pile.  Pictured is my sample and I'm not even halfway through ​​
2. To Stagger the Seams: Cut approximately 18” off one end of your long strip. This ensures your seams are staggered rather than lined up when you begin the rows.

3. The Second Row: Fold in half by placing both ends of your long strip right sides together (RST) and sew along one side. Having a friend help to keep the fabric from twisting is highly recommended, but not critical.

4. Sew, Sew, Sew: When you reach the fold at the end, stop about 1/4" away and cut the fold. Open it up to reveal a two-row strip set.

5. Repeat: Bring the end of the new strip set to the beginning of the strip set and sew again.  Stop again about a 1/4" away and cut the fold. Continue this process (4 rows, 8 rows, etc.) until you have a quilt top approximately 50" wide.

6. Finishing: Square up the top and add borders if desired. It is helpful to sew a straight stitch around the entire perimeter to secure the seams.
The beauty of this quilt is that there are no worries—just fast, fun sewing!  I look forward to seeing how everyone's quilt top turns out.
You can keep your quilt for yourself or use it for a Quilt to Comfort quilt.
This is a sewing night so bring your machine with cord and foot control.  Thread, scissors, travel iron, rotary cutter, extra extension cord if you have one,  etc.  As always the guild has extension cords, a large cutting mat and pressing surface for everyone to use.
Happy stitching!