What is a "Jelly Roll"?

So what is a “Jelly Roll”?

A cake that is filled with jelly? Yep. That’s one definition.

 

But in the quilting world, it is a 2.5” strips roll of fabric produced by Moda Fabrics. They coined the term back years ago now. Usually it contains 40-42 strips.

It looks like this.

BUT, many people come in to the store and ask, “Where are the Jelly Rolls?” Now, naturally we understand what they mean. They usually mean “any company’s 2.5” roll of fabric that is precut - often with a pinked edge”. They are not asking for cake. :)

BUT, did you realize that these 2.5” strips come sometimes in rolls but sometimes they come in flat packages?

Like this?

Rachael was sure you wanted to see someone “HOLDING” some - so here’s that.

Also..did you realize different companies call these amazing bundles of beauty different things?

Let’s see -

Moda - “Jelly Rolls”

Benartex - “Strip-pies” or “Strippies” and come with these looks:

Many of theirs now come in a flat pack.

QT Fabrics calls them simply a “Strip Roll”

I found an unnamed brand call them Stripz.

 

And another company calls them Spirals.

 

Another one is called pinwheels.









In general, most of the companies are listing them as 2.5” strips rolls. That’s because “that’s what they are”!


I know they are commonly called “Jelly Rolls”, but if they aren’t from Moda - technically we should just be calling them “2.5” strips rolls” - as the JELLY ROLL is really Moda’s term.

So, if you care about learning more about this wonderful hobby/craft/business of ours - you can start by learning the correct terms. It’s a good thing to do. I noticed even Jenny Doan correcting herself one time when she started to call a “Layer Cake” (10” squares) but it was by a different company so she corrected herself. I said to myself, “Kudos! Go Jenny!”

When Rachael and I visited the Moda warehouse a few years back now, we talked about this a bit with the VIP who showed us around. He appreciated the fact that we knew this tidbit of information, even while admitting they are probably losing the name to the industry as a generic term. :) (I know a lot of us call facial tissue Kleenex and some people call all carbonated beverages a Coke.)

So now you know!

Have a great day wherever you are! Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey!

Oh - and if you want to see the 2.5” strips rolls that Quilted Twins offers - here they are.

Becky Petersen2 Comments