Strip Quilting Patterns Worth Trying

Strip quilting patterns are some of the most efficient and satisfying designs in quilting. Instead of cutting and sewing many individual pieces, you sew long strips of fabric together, then cut them into segments and rearrange them. The technique saves time, improves accuracy, and creates striking designs, from classic rail fences to cozy log cabins and the famously fast jelly roll race.

This guide explains what strip quilting is and explores popular patterns, including rail fence, log cabin variations, and jelly roll race quilts. We’ll share guidance on choosing strip widths and fabrics, and finish with accuracy tips for long seams. We’ll also cover a topic many guides skip: putting leftover strip sets to work so nothing goes to waste. At Bee’s Quilt Shop, strip quilts were a favorite for quilters who wanted beautiful results with efficient techniques, and they often became go-to projects for gifts and charity quilts.

What Strip Quilting Is

Strip quilting is a method of building quilts from long fabric strips. Instead of cutting individual squares or rectangles and sewing them one by one, you cut strips across the width of the fabric, sew several strips together side by side to create a strip set, and then cut the strip set into segments. Those segments become blocks or parts of blocks.

This approach has several advantages. It’s fast, since sewing long seams is quicker than sewing many short ones. It’s accurate, since cutting segments from a strip set ensures that all the pieces are the same size. And it’s efficient, making good use of fabric. Strip piecing is used in many patterns, from simple striped blocks to complex designs like Irish chain and bargello quilts. Precut strips, like jelly rolls, which are typically 2 and a half inch strips, make strip quilting even easier. Once you learn the basic technique, you’ll find it useful in countless quilts, even ones that aren’t obviously strip-based. Many quilters consider it an essential skill.

Rail Fence And Other Classic Strip Quilting Patterns

The rail fence is one of the most classic strip quilting patterns. It’s made by sewing three or four strips together to create a strip set, then cutting the strip set into squares. The squares are arranged so that the stripes alternate direction, horizontal and vertical, creating a zigzag or woven effect across the quilt.

Rail fence is beginner-friendly because it uses only straight seams and simple cutting. Changing the number of strips, the strip widths, or the color placement creates different looks. For example, placing a light strip in the middle and darker strips on the sides can create a zigzag pattern. Other classic strip patterns include Roman stripes, where strips are sewn diagonally, and Chinese coins, where short strips are stacked like coins in columns separated by sashing. Bargello quilts use strip sets cut and offset to create flowing, wave-like designs. Each of these patterns uses the basic strip piecing technique in a different way, showing how versatile strip quilting can be for every skill level.

Log Cabin Variations

Log cabin is a beloved strip-built block. It starts with a center square, traditionally red to represent a hearth, though any color works. Strips, called logs, are sewn around the center in a spiral, each one slightly longer than the last. Often, one half of the block uses light fabrics and the other half uses dark fabrics, creating a diagonal division.

The magic of log cabin is in the layouts. Arranging the blocks in different orientations creates dramatically different quilts. Barn raising arranges blocks to form concentric diamonds radiating from the center. Straight furrows creates diagonal stripes across the quilt. Sunshine and shadows creates alternating light and dark diamonds. Courthouse steps is a variation where strips are added to opposite sides of the center rather than spiraling. Log cabin blocks can be made from strips cut individually or from precut strips. They’re a great way to use scraps, since each log can be a different fabric. Our guide to block patterns for quilting covers other popular blocks too.

Jelly Roll Race Quilts

Jelly roll race quilts are famous for being fast and fun. The idea is simple. You take a jelly roll, a bundle of precut strips, and sew the strips together end to end to create one very long strip. Then you fold the long strip in half and sew the two halves together along the length, creating a strip that’s twice as wide and half as long.

You repeat the process, folding and sewing, until the strip set is the desired width. The result is a quilt top made of randomly arranged strips, with seams staggered across the quilt. Because the strips are joined at random, the layout is unpredictable and often looks charmingly scrappy. Some quilters trim the ends of strips at an angle before joining them, which makes the joins less noticeable. Variations include adding a solid strip between print strips or cutting the finished strip set into blocks and rearranging them. Our guide to jelly roll quilts shares more ideas for precut strips.

Choosing Strip Widths And Fabrics

Choosing strip widths and fabrics shapes the look of your quilt. Wider strips create bold, graphic designs and come together quickly. Narrower strips create a more intricate look but take more time to sew. Many strip quilting patterns use 2 and a half inch strips, which is the standard jelly roll width, but you can cut strips any width you like.

Contrast is important in strip quilts. For designs like rail fence and log cabin, strong contrast between light and dark fabrics makes the pattern pop. Lower contrast creates a softer, more blended look. Color planning helps too. Sorting fabrics into light, medium, and dark piles, or arranging them in a color gradient, helps you plan placement before sewing. Taking a photo of your fabric choices and viewing it in black and white helps you check value contrast. Mixing print scales, with small, medium, and large prints, adds interest. Planning strip widths and fabrics before cutting helps your strip quilt look intentional and balanced.

Putting Leftover Strip Sets To Work

Here’s something many strip quilting guides skip: leftover strip sets are surprisingly useful. When you cut segments from a strip set, you often end up with a short leftover piece. Instead of tossing it, save it for another project. Leftover strip sets can become pieced binding, adding a scrappy, colorful edge to a quilt.

They can also be sewn together into a pieced border, used as a strip in a scrappy backing, or cut into smaller segments for a mini quilt or table runner. Some quilters sew leftover segments into a sampler quilt, creating a record of past projects. Leftover strips, not yet sewn into sets, can be used for string quilts, log cabin blocks, or a jelly roll race of your own. Keeping a bin of leftover strips and strip sets, sorted by color or width, makes it easy to find them when inspiration strikes. Putting leftovers to work is both thrifty and creative, and it’s a great way to make the most of your fabric.

Accuracy Tips For Long Seams In Strip Quilting Patterns

Accuracy matters with long seams. When strips are long, small inaccuracies can add up, causing strip sets to curve or bow, which makes segments uneven. Starting with accurately cut strips is essential. Use a rotary cutter, mat, and long ruler, and check that your strips are straight by making sure the fold of the fabric is aligned with the ruler.

When sewing, keep a consistent quarter inch seam allowance along the entire length. Sewing strips in alternating directions helps prevent curving. For example, sew the first seam from top to bottom and the next from bottom to top. Avoid pulling or stretching the strips as you sew, letting the machine feed the fabric. Press strip sets carefully, setting the seam first and then pressing to one side, without dragging the iron. Check your strip set periodically with a ruler to make sure it’s straight. Trimming the end of the strip set square before cutting segments helps keep them accurate. These habits help your strip quilting patterns come together neatly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is strip quilting?

Strip quilting is a method where long fabric strips are sewn together into strip sets, then cut into segments and rearranged into blocks. It’s fast and accurate.

What is the easiest strip quilt pattern?

Rail fence is often recommended for beginners because it uses only straight seams and simple cutting. Jelly roll race quilts are also quick and easy.

Why do my strip sets curve?

Curving usually comes from inconsistent seam allowances or sewing every seam in the same direction. Alternating sewing direction and pressing carefully helps.

What width should quilt strips be?

Many patterns use 2 and a half inch strips, the standard jelly roll width, but you can use any width. Wider strips are faster, while narrower strips create more detail.

What can I do with leftover strip sets?

Leftover strip sets can become pieced binding, borders, scrappy backings, or mini quilts. Bee’s Quilt Shop always encouraged quilters to keep a bin of leftovers for future projects.