Get ready for National Sew a Jelly Roll Day 2024

National Sew A Jelly Roll Day is 21 September 2024, and Moda Fabrics have four new projects to make, and the patterns are FREE. 

Did you notice how I said projects not quilts?  I mean, obviously there are free quilt patterns, but this year there is also a stylish tote bag to make. So let's look at the free Project Jelly Roll designs for 2024, and some suggestions for coordinating background fabrics you could use.

Contessa

First up is Contessa

 Download Moda's Free Contessa Quilt pattern here

This 60 x 70" strippy quilt has a modern vibe and sort of reminds me of liquorice all sorts.  As well as your favourite jelly roll, you will need 2 yards ( or almost 2m) of fabric for the background. I've a brand new niece and I think V&Co Best of Ombre Metallics, or Melody Miller's Rise and Shine paired with Bella in white would make the prettiest quilt for her.

Star Flower Quilt

Another jelly roll friendly quilt option is the aptly named Star Flower quilt.  I've not sewn many quilts with borders in recent years, but I really like the way those scrappy squares frames the design.

The finished throw quilt measures 66" square and this classic quilt block will work well with just about any fabric collection, yet I've been day-dreaming about these star blocks made up with their Halloween collection Good Spirits. 

The Star Flower blocks would really twinkle against Mini Starry in black but just as effective with one of the low volume options as the background.

 If Halloween isn't your jam, then Sarah Watt's Dog Park would also sew up a treat in this design. 

White or cream for the background is always a safe choice, but navy, lilac or a crisp sky blue would be wonderful. This mock up of Ruby Star Society's Game Night quilt shows the colours in this collection full of happy pups really well. 

Now just imagine those pups frolicking on your Star Flower Quilt.  Cute!

Download Moda's free Starflower Quilt Pattern here

Tiddlywinks Quilt

And the final quilt design for Project Jelly Roll 2024 is Tiddlywinks

This hexa-licious design would be awesome in jelly rolls from any of Kim Kight or Alexia Abegg's collection.  The the classic hexagon shape will vibe so well with the vintage-y vibe of their fabrics.

For Tiddlywinks, you need 2.3m of background fabric. A jelly roll of Lil would be lovely with Speckled in dove grey, or even one of the new shades released this month like balmy - a soft peachy-pink. 

With a collection like Alexia's Sugar Maple, Speckled in white gold or navy is always a safe bet, but if you are after something with a little more visual texture Starry and Mini Starry prints are always worth considering.  

Download Moda Fabrics' Tiddlywinks quilt pattern here.

Windsor Tote

And last but not least is the Windsor Tote bag.

The diamond fabric created from the jelly roll strips reminds me of colourful court jester costumes.

Not only is the tote bag practical, its stash friendly.  You only need a half metre of fabric for the lining and 25cm for the handles.  Too easy!

Realistically, just about any jelly roll will work a treat with this one, but I'm really drawn to Shimmer by Zen Chic.  

This neutral palette would make a really stylish bag, and how fun would it be to add a splash of vibrant colour like Speckled in Playful Pink, or even Goldenhour for the lining?  Noice!

You can download Moda's free Windsor Tote Bag pattern here