One Jelly Roll, One Afternoon: The Quilt That Looks Like You Spent Weeks

Eleanor Vance · 2026-10-28

Let me guess: you've got a Jelly Roll sitting in your stash, still wrapped, waiting for the "right" project. I get it. Those 2.5-inch strips are precious, and the last thing you want is to cut them up for something that turns out just okay. So here's a thought—what if you could turn that one roll into a lap quilt so charming it looks like you fussed for weeks, when really you knocked it out in a weekend? That's the whole idea behind the Jelly Roll Rigatoni quilt from Fat Quarter Shop. It's the newest addition to their Shortcut Quilt Series, and honestly, the name alone makes me smile. Rigatoni? For a quilt? Stick with me. ### Why "Rigatoni"? (And Why It Works) The pattern uses Jelly Roll strips in a way that creates these tube-like, nested shapes—hence the pasta reference. The blocks come together with a simple sew-and-flip method, so you're not wrestling with tricky templates or tiny pieces. It's beginner-friendly in the truest sense: if you can sew a straight quarter-inch seam (and even if you're still working on that), you can make this quilt. What I love most is how it shows off a fabric collection. Those vintage florals and heirloom prints in Collections for a Cause: Magnolia by Howard Marcus for Moda Fabrics? They sing in this design. Each block feels like a little framed vignette, and the background fabric gives everything room to breathe. ### The Numbers: What You'll Need Here's the practical stuff. For a large lap quilt, you need: - 1 Jelly Roll (40 strips, 2.5 inches x 44 inches each) - 3 1/8 yards of background fabric - The free Jelly Roll Rigatoni pattern (download it, it's yours) - A YouTube video tutorial if you're a visual learner—Fat Quarter Shop walks you through every step That's it. No fancy rulers, no specialty tools. Just your sewing machine, a rotary cutter, and an afternoon. ### The Kit Option (If You Want It to Look Just Like Ours) Maybe you've fallen for the sample quilt—the one with the soft magnolia prints and that classic, timeless feel. You can get the exact look with the Jelly Roll Rigatoni Quilt Kit, which includes the pattern and the fabric for the top. There's also a matching Backing Set, so you don't have to hunt down a coordinating yardage. It's a nice shortcut when you want the whole thing to come together without second-guessing your fabric choices. ### A Club for Jelly Roll Lovers If you find yourself buying Jelly Rolls faster than you can sew them (no judgment), the Jelly Roll Club might be your new best friend. Each month, a fresh Jelly Roll from Moda Fabrics arrives at your door. You save 12% compared to buying the precut individually, and let's be honest—there's something delightful about a squishy package of fabric showing up like a little gift to yourself. ### Share Your Make When you finish your quilt, don't keep it to yourself. Use #JellyRollRigatoni on Facebook and Instagram and tag @fatquartershop. It's always fun to see how different fabric collections change the whole personality of a pattern—some turn out sweet and vintage, others bold and modern. That's the magic of a good Jelly Roll pattern. So go ahead, unwrap that roll. You've got a quilt to bake. Happy quilting!