Lovely day

Yesterday at Rocheberie Quilters was lovely. We're never sure how many people will turn up, and since this was the first Mystery Quilt Day, there was even more uncertainty. However, we needn't have worried, as there were over 50 people there, some making the quilt and others content to chat and do hand sewing. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to take any pohotos, but Jane did, so you can look at her blog if you're intrigued. Unfortunately, Jane had to leave early to take her daughter to a party, so didn't take any pics of the finished quarters. Here's mine so you can get the idea.

The little triangle at the top right hand corner is the centre of the quilt. I haven't joined the sections together yet, as I've decided to make the other quarters and mix the fabrics up to make the colours more even.

I have finished my Jelly Houses quilt, and took the instructions along to the meeting, and sold them for donations to Project Linus. Half a dozen people were kind enough to buy them. Thank you for that.

A few other people brought jelly roll quilts, one a lovely log cabin star, a Chinese coins and a rail fence. I'll look forward to seeing what people do with these strips of fabric!

Jelly Houses

No, not houses made from jelly, but made from a jelly roll - or at least, half of one. I have made my jelly roll Christmas gift into a lovely top which measures a useful 44"x53".

I added a pink 1" border and then a blue 4" outer border. The blue border looks like it's the same as the sashing, but it isn't. I didn't have any more of the sashing fabric left (it was actually 'sky' left over from a panto set about 6 years ago, so I'm surprised there was this much!) so used the bright pink to confuse the eye into thinking the blues weren't too dissimilar. It worked, didn't it?!

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!