Jellyrolls and charms

If you are new to quilting and keep running across patterns calling for charm packs or jellyrolls, you may not quite understand for what the pattern calls. There are a number of companies currently producing these handy, pre-cut fabric offerings. Generally speaking, a charm pack is a 5" square collection of 30 or more fabrics and a jellyrolls are 2.5" x 44" sets of 45 or more matching fabrics. The quickest use for these items are simple square patchworks for the charm packs and/or a log cabin or strip-based quilt top with jellyrolls. However, you can also go the manufacturers of these items and find many many patterns that can be made off of these cuts. Some of my personal favorites include turning charm packs into the traditional "spool" or "butterfly" pattern and using the strips to do a split-rail, or churn dash.


If you go to my web shop, you can purchase jellyrolls or charm packs which support these cuts. A couple of disclaimers:

• The edges of these are always pinking-sheared, so you always do get some extra lint.
• Charm packs often will include large-scale prints that you will only see a portion of because of the 5"x5" limitation.
• Most patterns also include additional yardage which can sometimes be difficult to match up if you don't buy it at the same time that you buy the charm pack or jellyroll.
• Not all companies produce these quick cuts. Currently: Moda, P&B, Benartex, and Michael Miller offer some of these options.

If you have questions about how to use these or want to send a gift to a fellow quilter, this is an easy way to go, and I can help!