Free jelly roll pattern

As a Christmas thankyou, Rocheberie Quilters in Rugby gave all their members the gift of a jelly roll! What a fabulous present! I was delighted to have such a great gift, and looked forward to using it. I know there are plenty of books with patterns for jelly rolls, but, as a confirmed cheapskate, I decided to find a free pattern on the web. Maybe they are out there, but I couldn't find one. So, I have designed one of my own which I freely make available to all!

The jelly roll only had 20 strips, but will make a very satisfactory lap quilt (if you like houses!). Please note, the quilt will not be leaning in this alarming manner - it must be the fact that I have one leg shorter than the other!

There are in fact two basic designs, Big House and Small House.

This is Big House. It finishes at 12"x10". You will need a whole strip for the background (well, 40") so I advise you to make these houses first. Cut background fabric 12 1/2", 2 1/2" x 4, 41/2" x 2 and 8 1/2". Cut the roof 12 1/2" (I suggest a dark roof for a light house, and a light roof for a dark house). Cut a door at 4 1/2", and windows 2 1/2" x 2 and 4 1/2". I used some light blue fabric from my stash for 'sky' and sashing. The sky pieces were 2 1/2" squares sewn across the corners, and the sashing was 1 1/2" wide. If you wanted to make two big windows on the house, you only need 38" of background, which probably leaves you enough fabric to cut a door for another house.

The small house finishes at 10"x10" and needs 33 1/2" of background, which leaves fabric for a roof for another house. Cut the background 10 1/2", 2 1/2" x 4 and 4 1/2" x 3. Door is 4 1/2" and windows 2 1/2" x 3. Roof is 10 1/2" and make the sky corners as before.

If you like a big upstairs window, you only need 31 1/2" of background, which could leave you enough for a roof for a Big House.

You can vary the windows and make the door on the left or right to make several variations. Since a jelly roll usually has 40 strips and my gift one had 20, you could make twice as many houses with your fabric! The quilt top (without borders) would measure 45"x 65", which will make a very decent single quilt when bordered. Let me know if you like my ideas - and they're FREE!