The Jelly Roll Race Quilt

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Well I did it. I have been wanting to try the great Jelly Roll Race Quilt Challenge for a while.  I have searched many websites and the idea was more or less the same on all of them.


Open a jelly roll and start sewing.  

Sorry for this blurry picture.  I almost had forgotten to take a picture of the jelly roll and had started to untie it.  Then I had to take it quickly as I was determined to finish the quilt top by dinner time and it was already pushing 3pm.


This is a bright jelly roll.  Not really my style of fabric but it was cheap.....on clearance at Walmart for $4.00.  Perfect for trying this challenge without spending a lot of money in case I didn't like how it turned out.


Taking the jelly roll apart, I stacked the different fabrics in piles and arranged them in the order I found most appealing.

Now for those of you who have not heard of the 1600 Jelly Roll Quilt, you start sewing the jelly roll strips end to end in the order you placed them.  Once done, you will have a very long strip of fabric approximately 1600 inches long....a BIG pile like this!

Next cut 20 inches off of the beginning of the long strip of fabric.  It makes no difference which end.  This is an important step as it will stagger your seams.

Now find the two ends of the strip and put right sides together.  Start at one end and sew the whole length...when you get to the end, cut the loop.  You will now have a very long strip that is 2 jellyroll strips wide.  This step took me approximately 45 minutes!

A little side note....you can press the seams open but it isn't really necessary as they won't be in the way.

Now, find the two ends of the long strip again and put right sides together and begin sewing again.  Don't forget when you get to the end loop, cut it.  You will now have a strip that is a 4 jellyroll strips wide.  

Again, find the two ends of this long strip and put the right sides together and sew away!  Once you cut the loop at the end, you will have an 8 jellyroll strips wide strip.  

Next, join the two ends of the long strip, put right sides together, sew and cut the loop at the end.  Your strip will be 16 jellyroll strips wide.  

One more time people!  Find the two ends of the long strip, put right sides together, sew all the way down, cut the loop.  You will end up with a 32 jellyroll strips wide quilt top!

It worked!  I ended up with a quilt top approximately 50" x 64".  I am going to use this as the 'center' of my quilt.  I still wish to add a border but need to find the perfect matching fabric for that...or maybe I will go with a bright solid.  I haven't decided yet.

This challenge was fun and I will definitely make another one.  Dinner was about 30 minutes later than usual so not too bad.  It took a little over 2 and a half hours.  The task that took the most time was refilling the bobbin!  Next time I will make sure I have four filled bobbins ready to pop in and out.  

Sir Humphrey seems to like it too!  

There was a contest held a while back...sorry I don't have the link to share....it was just something I ran across while researching about the 1600 Jelly Roll Quilts and the quilt that was made the quickest was by a lady who finished hers in 35 minutes!  Now that machine must have been a humming!

There is another variation here if you would prefer to make a rag jelly roll quilt.  I like the looks of that one as well so will give it a try this winter with some cozy wintery fabric.  

Have you tried the Jelly Roll Quilt Challenge yet?  Such a fun and fast way to make a quilt for that special someone.  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Mug Rug

Pin It Time to get on the bandwagon and make some mug rugs.  There are so many free patterns floating around the web, it was a difficult decision to chose just one!

So I thought I would start with a simple pattern.  I love some of the more complicated ones like this and this but those will have to wait until I am back home and have the time to fiddle with the designs and details of ones such as these.

For now I am happy with this one.  I love the spring colors I chose and plan on making a few to leave with my Mom for her to use when I return home.  She drinks a lot of tea throughout the day and these will be perfect to protect her side table or for outside on the bistro table.

It took no time at all.

First I cut out the required fabric pieces, then sewed them as Amy explained in her tutorial.

I ironed on a piece of interfacing between the layers to make it a little stiff so it would hold up well to washing instead of inserting the batting as she suggested.

A little bit of trimming, some more sewing and whammo it was finished!

I love how it turned out, so very easy and the fabrics to chose from are endless. 

Have a great day and remember to give your loved ones a hug!

My Needle Nanny!

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A while ago, I found this cute little craft that Cath over at Bits and Bobs made and I just HAD to make one for myself.  On the look out for something that struck my fancy, I found this in my button box.

I always sew while sitting on the love seat in the living room.  Usually the evening ritual is watching my favorite t.v. shows and sewing so a Needle Nanny would be perfect to have on the side table. My needle will then have it's own 'home' when I brew another cup of tea during commercials.

I won't bore you explaining the process as Cath did a wonderful tutorial however I do want to mention that my button was different.

My button had a metal backing with the loop to sew it on a piece of clothing so that had to be removed....but the button then fell apart!  

With a liberal amount of glue, the button was secure once more.

Also metal buttons do not work.  This button was only metal on the back, the rest was a type of plastic.  I tried with a metal button first and the magnet and the metal do not mix well as the needle would not 'stick' to the button once made.  

This is so easy to make and I had all the supplies in my stash.  After 10 minutes (including picture taking) my Needle Nanny was complete!

Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Watermelon Jelly

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With winter fast approaching, it is time to fill my pantry with homemade jams, jellies, and preserves.


I enjoy these tasks as I know I am feeding my family wholesome foods that don't contain all the chemicals that we now find in store-bought goods. I know my preserves are cleaned, cooked and prepared in a safe, clean environment.


Today I concentrated on making Watermelon Jelly.


The recipe is extremely easy and quick and the taste is to die for! I can imagine waiting in anticipation for the bread to pop out of the toaster and spreading a thick layer of this watermelon jelly on my toast.


It is very economical. I always wait for watermelon to go on sale here at the local grocers and then stock up. I can't help but take a few bites of watermelon while I am making the jelly though! :)



Here is the recipe for those of you who wish to try and make your own and believe me.... one taste and you will be hooked!


Time: 1/2 hour to one hour
Difficulty: easy
Serving Size: 6 half pints (for 1/2 of one medium sized watermelon)
Shelf life: 12 months
Ingredients:
4 cups of watermelon - no seeds or rind
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 box of dry pectin
3 1/2 cups of white sugar
Preparation:
Cut up 4 cups of watermelon
Place one full box of pectin in a bowl and mix with 1/4 cup of white sugar - set aside
Sanitize jars and lids by boiling in water for 5 minutes

Instructions:
Place the 4 cups of watermelon in a blender and purify (there should be approximately 2 cups of watermelon juice when finished)
Pour watermelon juice in large pot and add 3 tbsp lemon juice
Bring to a full rolling boil

Stir in remaining sugar - when it reaches a full boil, boil hard for 1 minute
Test for thickness - use a metal tbsp that has sat in ice water or in the freezer - take 1/2 spoonful of juice - let it cool to room temperature - if it thickens to how you want it, then it is finished - if it isn't thick enough, add more pectin and boil for one more minute
Fill jars to 1/4 inch from top, put on lids and rings
Put jars in a stock pot of boiling water making sure that there is 2 inches of water over the jars. Boil for 10 minutes
Remove from stock pot and place on a clean cloth, free from draft. Let sit until the lids start to pop (which indicates they are sealed)

Jams and jellies are the best when eaten in the dead of winter with the snow swirling and blowing outside the house. It brings back a little bit of warm summer breezes and fresh cut grass. Enjoy!