Binding With a Jelly Roll

Wouldn't you love to save time binding a quilt by using strips already cut for you? Me too! Here's a fabulous way to bind your quilts with a scrumptious jelly roll. This technique is fast and accurate, every time.

Quilt, ready to be bound

Jelly roll strips

Binding clips (optional)

1.  First, go ahead and measure the perimeter of your quilt. Then add 12” to that number (to make sure we don’t run short). My numbers are in red so you can follow along.

X = Perimeter + 12”

X = 68” + 12”

X = 80”

2. Take your X value and divide it by 40 to determine the number of jelly roll strips needed.

                  X / 40 = number of jelly roll strips needed

                  80 / 40 = 2 jelly roll strips

*Note: If the number of jelly roll strips needed is something like 4.13, round up to the nearest quarter (so you would need 4.25 jelly roll strips).*

3. Grab the number of jelly roll strips you need, as determined by Step 2. Snip the selvages off each end.

4. Let’s join those jelly roll strips together, shall we?  Layer two jelly roll strips right sides together as pictured.

Draw and stitch on the diagonal line.

Trim seam allowance and press open.

Now you have a lovely diagonal seam!

Repeat this step with each jelly roll strip to form continuous binding.

5. Fold your binding in half, wrong sides together. Press well.

6. Place your quilt front side up. Measure 8” down from one end of your binding. Align the raw edges of the binding with the raw edge of your quilt in the middle of one side of the quilt. (See pin). If you have a walking foot, snap it on now!

7. Sew binding to quilt with a 3/8” seam allowance. When you are ¼” from the edge, pivot and sew to the corner point.

8. Fold the tail up and press.

9. Fold the tail back down and press.

10. Start stitching at the top edge, making sure to backstitch.

When you get to the next edge, repeat Steps 7-9. Continue attaching binding in this way until you are 10” from where you started.

11. Trim 1” off one of the binding edges.

12. Open the 1” piece and lay it above the beginning of the first tail we sewed down.

13. Grab the end of the other side of the tail and overlap it with the beginning of the tail. We are using the fabric above as a ruler. Trim the end of the tail at the overlap point. (See pin).

14. Open up the tails of the binding and pin right sides together at a 90 degree angle.

15. Draw and stitch on the diagonal line. *Make sure you drew your diagonal line going the right way!*

16. Trim seam allowance. Press binding down and finish stitching to quilt!

17. Press binding right side out and fold over to the back side, just a hair below the stitched line. Use binding clips to secure if desired.

18. Thread a needle with 12”-18” of thread and knot the end. Be sure to use a single thread and not double thickness. Guide the needle through the backing of the quilt and some of the batting. Poke the needle out just above the stitched line.

19. Just above where the thread came out, guide your needle into the folded edge of the binding. Be sure to keep your needle parallel to the fold. Push the needle out after traveling about ¼”. Pull thread snugly.

20. Next, guide the needle into the backing and backing. Be sure to keep your needle parallel to the stitching line. Push the needle out after traveling about ¼”. Pull thread snugly.

21. Continue stitching binding to quilt, securing thread and add new thread to your needle as needed.

One quick and snappy way to bind your next quilt!




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