I did it. I started my triple Irish chain quilt from Thimble Blossom’s pattern Nesting. I am very excited to make this because, believe it or not, I have never made an Irish chain quilt! The sewing is simple, and the pattern develops from the design formed when the patchwork blocks alternate with a second plain block. I need to make 24 of these patchwork blocks, and am off to a good start with…ta da…four.

I am using a jelly roll of Camille Roskelley’s Rosemary Cottage, a fabric collection I adore. I have some other fabric of hers in my stash that works well too, so I am using that also.

Did you ever wonder if you could starch jelly rolls? It turns out you absolutely can. I am a passionate starcher, and nothing gets by my can of Faultless. Now, starching will cause any fabric to shrink a bit. A jelly roll strip will shrink very slightly along its length. That 2.5-inch width will not be altered, so you can starch away and be sure that if you are cutting your strips into 2.5″ squares, they will be accurate.

Here is another question: Did you ever wonder where you measure your width on the jelly roll? From the outside of the pinked edge, or the inside? You measure your 2.5″ from the outer point of the pinked edge.

Honestly, I don’t use jelly rolls very often, so that is pretty much the sum total of my knowledge. There are some great patterns out there for using them, though, and some good pattern books too.

Hope your week got off to a good start. Mine did, with a “fresh-start” attitude on my part, and some blue skies to lift my spirits. Temperatures are supposed to rise into the 70s this week, so I plan to do some outside reading. I have two books I am trying to finish by April 30, for a total of 11 this month.