Making a Blouse From a Jelly Roll

Let’s start out by saying I’m not a quilter.  Even though I’ve made several “quilting” projects, they’re not my top must sews.  However, I love jelly rolls.  The thought of them, how the fabrics play so well together and how they can become so many different things.  

Whenever I see one, the possibilities of what the new fabric yardage can inspire me.  Especially black & white jelly rolls.  So, while I’m not a quilter, I was inspired to buy several jelly rolls and make two yards of fabric from them to create a top.

Instructions

Do you Jelly Roll 

Let’s start out by saying I’m not a quilter.  Even though I’ve made several “quilting” projects, they’re not my top must sews.  However, I love jelly rolls.  The thought of them, how the fabrics play so well together and how they can become so many different things.  

Whenever I see one, the possibilities of what the new fabric yardage can be inspires me.  Especially black & white jelly rolls.  So while I’m not a quilter, I was inspired to buy several jelly rolls and make two yards of fabric from them to make a top.

First the sewing machine feet I used to complete this project:

left to right:  1/4″ foot with edge, buttonhole foot, button foot

I used the various settings associated with each foot on my Janome MC9450QCP to make the fabric. Choosing the sewing application and then the foot are simple to do with easy instructions on the sewing machine and in the manual.

Supplies used:

2 packages of black & white Ankara strips.  Each package had 20 strips

1/4 yard of solid black cotton fabric for the strips

Here’s how I did it:

1.  Sorted the strips into piles.

2.  Determined how I wanted the layout of the strips to look.

3.  Sewed the strips together using a 1/4″ seam with the 1/4″ foot with guide.

4.  After 11 strips were sewn together, I added a black strip cut in the same dimensions (2.5″ x 45″) to differentiate the sections.

5.  When each section was sewn, I pressed the strips to the left side.  Then each strip was serge finished. I did this because my yardage will be used for a garment and needs a cleanly finished inside.

6.  Continued this for 3 sections, then stitched them all together to get the yardage I desired. It was easier to assemble by making 3 separate sections then stitching them together.

 

 

Once you decide how much yardage you need – I needed 2 yards to make the top front, back, front facings and sleeve bands – then you can start your garment’s construction process.

Since I had all of those seams in my fabric, I chose a pattern that didn’t have a lot of pattern pieces and/or seams. I didn’t want to cut up all of the fabric I’d just created. My pattern of choice was the Anna Allen’s Clothing, Anthea Blouse.

Here are a few pictures of the blouse sewn using the jelly roll fabric:

 

 

 

I did make a few design decisions that affected the end result but everything was done to highlight the beautiful fabric the jelly rolls made. Which if you have the time, and some amazing jelly rolls, any one can create their own special fabric.
 
Finally, this is my last post as a Janome Maker.  I’ve been a Janome Maker for almost three years and it’s been a privilege and an honor to rep one of the best sewing machine companies out there. I’d like to thank everyone who worked with me at Janome to make this one of the best experiences ever!
 

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