Jelly Roll Rug – Decorative Edge

I love these rugs so I had to make another one. This time I used Coledale fabric from Moda. It has a nice mix of soft colours and some vibrant corals and dark navy. 

Many people have asked me how I do the decorative edging to finish the rug. Let me show you in a few easy steps.

Step 1 – Buy the pattern here. Roma has great tips and tricks to making the rug. Also, search Youtube for tutorials on how to make Jelly Roll Rugs.

Step 2 – Make the rug but do not finish off at the end. Leave at least 10″ not sewn.

Step 3 – Measure the circumference of the rug. The length of Jelly roll strips is roughly 2 1/2 to 3 times the circumference.

For example: Circumference of rug is 100″. You will need approximately 250″ ( or 6 jelly roll strips ) of 2 1/2″ wide fabric to make the edging. 

Hint: If you want to keep to one jelly roll of 40 strips then measure the circumference when you have at least 4-6 strips left and work out if you have enough left to finish edging.

Note: this can differ if you make the zig zag smaller or larger. 

Step 4 – Prepare and add the extra length of 2 1/2″ wide fabric and wadding and add using a 45 degree angle join to the end piece of the rug. It needs to be continuous. 

Step 5 – Tuck the end piece behind the last row (so the edging will start and finish on the same level). Using the same zig zag stitch and length as the rug, Secure the end piece. 

Step 6 – Start the edging. Make a point by bringing the fabric up and folding at an angle.

Step 7 – Stitch across securing the edging and only stitch 1/8″ into next segment to secure it.

Step 8 – Raise the sewing foot as high as it will go with needle down and fold the edging up and over again as in step 7.  Stitch edging to edge of rug. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you come to the end.

Step 9 – Finish by cutting the remaining edging fabric to about 1.5″ and securing on back of rug. 

*** IMPORTANT***

• Slow down so you don’t break the needle. You will be sewing through quite a thickness of fabric and wadding.
• I used 50wt Aurifil cotton 2600 Dove to sew the rug. If you are having thread breakage, slow down, check needle size and maybe use a 30-40wt cotton or polyester thread.