Pattern Description:
The Strip Tube Quilt uses a quick strip tube method, combining 2.5” jelly roll strips with 4.5” background strips to form stitched tubes.
These tubes are cut at an angle with a ruler to create pieced blocks. Arranged into a striking design, the quilt finishes at 54” x 65”, with leftover pieces perfect for a smaller scrappy project.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
- Materials:
- Jelly roll (or fabric cut into 2.5” strips).
- Background fabric.
- Ruler/Cutting Tool: A strip tube ruler is recommended but not essential. Alternatives include an EZ Quilting Companion Angle ruler, a regular square ruler, or a square ruler with a 45 degree angle line. A template can also be made using stiff cardboard, as the necessary angle is a 90 degree angle.
- Measurements (Input Fabric):
- Jelly roll strips: 2.5” strips.
- Background fabric strips: 4.5” x width of fabric (WOF).
- Measurements (Cutting/Technique):
- When cutting the tubes, the original instruction suggested lining up the 5 1/2” mark on the ruler with the stitching line.
- Line up the 6” line with the bottom edge of the tube, stressing the importance of consistency with this measurement.
- Measurements (Finished Quilt):
- The finished quilt measured 54″ x 65″.
- The entire jelly roll was used for the finished quilt (some triangles were used on the quilt back).
Instructions for Making the Strip Tube Quilt Tutorial:
Creating the Fabric Tubes
The initial steps involve preparing the strips and constructing the tubes:
- Cut the background fabric strips to 4.5 inches x width of fabric.
- Pair the 2.5-inch color strips (jelly roll) with the 4.5-inch background strips.
- Sew the strips together along both sides to form a tube.
Cutting the Pieced Blocks
After creating the tubes, the next critical stage involves angled cutting to produce the quilt blocks.
A. Ruler Placement and Consistency: When cutting the tube, it is vital to remain consistent with your chosen measurement throughout the entire process.
- The original instruction suggested aligning the 5 1/2-inch mark on the ruler with the stitching line along the bottom of the tube.
- Lining up the 6-inch line with the bottom edge of the tube.
Regardless of which measurement is chosen (5 1/2″ or 6″), it is essential that the top point of the cut piece remains below the seam line.
B. Cutting the Pieces: The first piece cut (Step 4) is the end piece. This piece should be kept, as the leftovers can be utilized later. Continue cutting the tubes consistently using the angled method to produce the pieced blocks.
Arranging and Finishing the Quilt
- Arrange the Blocks: Take the cut blocks (Step 5) and arrange them into the desired layout (Step 6).
- Manage Leftovers: When arranging the blocks, there may be extra squares that do not have a match. Keep these extra squares, as the bits leftover from the initial cutting (Step 4 end pieces) can be added in.
- Sewing and Final Size: The final quilt measured 54 inches x 65 inches. The final quilt is loved and there are enough small pieces leftover after completion to make a scrappy baby quilt.
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