National Sew a Jelly Roll Day stitches up on the third Saturday of September, inviting quilters to transform their beloved pre-cut fabric bundles into stunning projects. Grab your sewing machine, choose a pattern, and let your creativity flow. It’s the perfect occasion to finish a long-awaited quilt or start a new one.
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Expected National Sew a Jelly Roll Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that retailers often roll out fantastic deals on fabric bundles, sewing notions, and quilting supplies. Look for sales from major craft stores like JOANN Fabric and Crafts and Hobby Lobby, as well as online specialty shops like Fat Quarter Shop and Missouri Star Quilt Company. Independent fabric stores like Connecting Threads and Fabric.com (an Amazon company) are also likely to offer discounts on jelly rolls and other pre-cuts. Expect special bundle releases from fabric manufacturers such as Moda Fabrics. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September approaches.
Platform Guide for National Sew a Jelly Roll Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SewAJellyRollDay. Share photos of your finished projects, works in progress, or your favorite jelly roll bundles.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #SewAJellyRollDay. Film quick tutorials on jelly roll techniques or showcase a time-lapse of your quilting process.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #SewAJellyRollDay. Join quilting groups to share tips, patterns, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day Hero
Eleanor Burns
History of National Sew a Jelly Roll Day
The origin of the word ‘quilt’ is tied to the Latin word ‘culcita,’ which means ‘a bolster or a cushion.’ The term’s use is supposed to have been recorded in England for the first time in the 13th century. The sewing techniques of piecing and quilting have however been used for clothing and furnishing purposes in various parts of the world for several thousand years.
The earliest garment known to have been quilted is depicted on an Egyptian carved ivory figure of a Pharaoh, which dates as far back as the ancient Egyptian First Dynasty, around 3400 B.C. In 1924, archeologists uncovered a quilted floor covering somewhere in Mongolia, and the covering is estimated to go as far back in time as anywhere between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D. Quilting has been part of the needlework tradition in Europe since about the fifth century, with early objects containing Egyptian cotton, an indication of the possibility that Egyptian and Mediterranean trade provided a channel for the technique.
Quilted objects were, however, relatively scarce in Europe until about the 12th century, when quilted bedding and other such items surfaced, following the return of the Crusaders from the Middle East. Medieval quilted battle garments were worn under an armor of maille or plate armor or in place of the same. These garments would later develop into the quilted doublet, which became part of fashionable European male clothing from the 14th to 17th centuries. The earliest known European bed quilt surviving to this day is from Sicily, dating back to the 14th century; it is the Tristan quilt, which is made of linen and padded with wool.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day timeline
A carved ivory figure depicting a Pharaoh adorning a quilted garment is the earliest record of such and dates back to 3400 B.C.
The word ‘quilt’ has its origins in the Latin word ‘culcita’ and comes into English use in the early 1200s.
The earliest surviving bed quilt is found in Sicily, Italy.
A quilted floor covering is uncovered in Mongolia and supposedly dates back as far as between 100 B.C. and 200 A.D.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Sew a Jelly Roll Day
Local fabric shops and craft stores can host “Sew-Along” events, providing space and guidance for quilters to work on their jelly roll projects together. Offer special discounts on jelly rolls and coordinating fabrics, or organize a contest for the most creative use of a jelly roll. Online retailers can run flash sales on pre-cut bundles and promote user-generated content by showcasing customer projects. Sewing machine repair shops could offer a “tune-up” special for the day.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day FAQs
When is National Sew a Jelly Roll Day?
In 2026, National Sew a Jelly Roll Day falls on Saturday, September 19. It’s the perfect weekend day to dive into your fabric stash and create something beautiful.
What is a jelly roll in quilting?
A jelly roll is a collection of 2.5-inch wide fabric strips, typically 42 inches long, rolled up and tied with a ribbon. Each roll usually contains 40 strips from a coordinated fabric line, offering a convenient way to get a variety of prints and colors for quilting projects.
How popular is quilting in the US?
Quilting remains a highly popular hobby in the United States, with millions of individuals participating. Industry reports often show a robust market for fabric, patterns, and sewing machines, indicating a strong and active community of quilters across all age groups.
What are some common jelly roll quilt patterns?
Many patterns are specifically designed for jelly rolls, leveraging their pre-cut strips for quick assembly. Popular designs include the Jelly Roll Race, which creates a quilt top very rapidly, and various strip-pieced patterns like “Stripology” or “Log Cabin” variations.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day Activities
Take some quilting lessons
Here’s the perfect opportunity to learn some quilting through YouTube tutorials. You could also learn from someone around who can teach you.
Sew all your Jelly rolls
If you’re already an established quilter, how about unshelving your Jelly rolls and sewing them together for a single project? It sure sounds like fun!
Share on social media
Don’t forget to share pictures and videos from your quilting experience on social media. When you do, use the #NationalSewAJellyRollDay hashtag.
5 Facts About Quilting That Will Surprise You
AIDS Memorial is the world’s largest quilt
The largest quilt in the world, currently, is the AIDS Memorial.
There are 10 million American quilters
There are currently between 10 and 12 million quilters in the United States, mostly middle-aged women.
Paducah is the world’s quilt capital
The city of Paducah, in Kentucky, U.S., claims the title of the World’s Quilt Capital.
The Tristan quilt is the oldest quilt
The Tristan quilt, housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, is the oldest recorded quilt.
Gee's bend quilts are America’s most famous
The most popular quilts in the United States are the Gee's bend quilts.
Why We Love National Sew a Jelly Roll Day
Quilting is fun
Quilting can be quite an interesting activity, as long as you can get the hang of it. It’s also a good way to relieve stress.
Quilting is good for bonding
Quilting is a good bonding exercise. This is especially true for a grandma and her teenage or young-adult grandchildren.
It’s an opportunity to get creative
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day is an opportunity to get creative with all those Jelly rolls you’ve stored up. Get your rolls in place and start sewing.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 20 | Saturday |
| 2026 | September 19 | Saturday |
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