Jelly Roll Rug

I’m working on a jelly roll rug using the Clover Jelly Roll Fabric Tube Maker along with the Jelly Roll Rug pattern by Roma Lambson of RJ Designs. This project turns fabric strips and cotton batting into one long fabric tube, which is then sewn together to create a beautiful handmade rug.

The Clover Fabric Tube Maker makes the process so much easier because it helps fold the fabric and batting neatly into a tube as you sew. Instead of fighting with loose strips, the tool helps guide everything into place.

🪡 What I’m using:
✨ One jelly roll / 2½" fabric strips
✨ Cotton batting strips
✨ Clover Fabric Tube Maker
✨ Roma Lambson’s Jelly Roll Rug pattern
✨ Sewing machine and thread
✨ A simple DIY PVC stand for the batting strips

One helpful tip is to make a small stand from PVC pipe to hold the roll of cotton batting strips while you sew. This keeps the batting from twisting, tangling, or falling on the floor.

To make one, use PVC pipe and fittings to create a small rectangular frame with two upright sides and a crossbar across the top. Slide the roll of batting strips onto the crossbar, almost like a paper towel holder. As you sew, the batting can unroll smoothly and feed into the Clover Fabric Tube Maker with less mess and frustration.

🛠️ Simple PVC batting stand idea:
✨ Use ½" or ¾" PVC pipe
✨ Make a base wide enough so it won’t tip over
✨ Add two upright side pieces
✨ Add a removable top bar to hold the batting roll
✨ Keep it close to your sewing machine so the batting feeds easily

Before I start sewing, I like to lay out all of my jelly roll strips in the order I want them to appear in the rug. This is where you can really plan the look of the finished project. You can arrange the strips from light to dark, create a soft gradient, group similar colors together, or mix the prints for a more scrappy, playful look. Taking a little time to lay everything out first helps the colors flow nicely once the fabric tube is sewn and the rug starts taking shape.

When joining the jelly roll strips together, sew them on the bias so the seams are less bulky and smoother as the rug is stitched. To do this, place two strip ends right sides together at a 90-degree angle, forming an “L” shape. Sew diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner, then trim the excess fabric about ¼" from the seam. Press the seam to one side before continuing. (I did all of my cutting and pressing at the same time) This angled seam helps the strips feed more evenly through the Clover Fabric Tube Maker and keeps the finished rug from having thick, lumpy spots where the strips are joined.

The process starts by layering the fabric strip with batting, feeding it through the Clover tube maker, and sewing it into one long fabric “rope.” Once the tube is made, the rug begins to take shape by slowly stitching the tube together according to the pattern. You can make circular or oblong rugs depending on how you start. I started with a 17" piece then made my first turn.

 

**Please note** I rolled my tubes into a large ball. I will not do that next time. I will let them spool into a basket or layer them back n forth. The ball caused a lot of twisting and added some frustration when sewing everything together.

This is such a fun and practical sewing project. I love watching a simple jelly roll turn into something useful, cozy, and handmade for the home.

🧵 Have you ever made a jelly roll rug, or is this one still on your “someday” project list?