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Hello! This is the third post in my Five Little Ghosts Quilt-Along series.
The pattern we’re sewing is found in my book, Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll Quilts. Many participants are sewing the original runner project. I, however, am sewing a throw-size version—and you can, too. Just download the free pattern expansion PDF here. (Please note: For either project, you will need the instructions included in Not-Your-Typical Jelly Roll Quilts.)
The Schedule
Fabric Pull (Week 0): Blog post and YouTube video
Cutting (Week 1): Blog post and YouTube video
Sewing Ghost Blocks (Week 2): [you’re here!] and YouTube video
Sewing More Ghost Blocks (Week 3): Oct. 3, 2025
Assembling the Top (Week 4): Oct. 10, 2025
Halloween Parade of Blocks and Tops: Oct. 17 - Oct. 31, 2025
Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the QAL. All that is required to enter the giveaways is sewing a single ghost block.
This Week
This week we’re starting to piece our ghosts. If you’re sewing the runner-size project, which requires 5 ghosts, you’ll be able to sew up your blocks in an afternoon. If you’re sewing the throw-size project, which requires 20 ghosts, you’ll need some more time. One way or another, the QAL schedule provides two weeks to accomplish this step (and plenty of catch-up time at the end, too). You’ve got this!
Measuring the Jelly Roll Strips
The first thing I do when I open a new jelly roll is measure one of the strips because I want to know exactly where the 2.5 inches fall on that strip. Sometimes strips measure 2.5 inches from peak to peak of the pinked edges. Sometimes they’re measured from valley to valley. Knowing that up front will help you sew more precisely.
The strip I measured is from a Moda collection and is slightly bigger than 2.5 inches, so I’ll take that into account when I go to my machine.
Adjusting the Seam Allowance
Like almost everything in quilting, there’s not one right way to adjust your seam allowance to sew jelly roll strips. I always use a basic foot and use the quarter-inch mark on the bed of my machine as a gauge. When sewing regular (non-pinked) fabrics, I line my fabric up just to the left of that mark. Doing so gives me a good scant quarter-inch seam allowance.
Because these strips are slightly bigger than 2.5 inches, I extend the pinked edges just over that. It’s not a big change, but it will account for the extra fabric.
Perhaps you have the ability with your machine to adjust the needle position to the left or right. (I cannot. I sew on a semi-industrial straight-stitch machine. She’s a workhorse and I love her, but she doesn’t have any bells or whistles.) In that case, you could change the needle position to accommodate the jelly roll strips you’re sewing with.
Lining Up the Ghosts’ Eyes
In my opinion, the ghost block is a forgiving one. After all, there are no points to worry about preserving. When sewing my blocks, however, I make sure that the two eyes are aligned correctly. Because they’re black rectangles against a light background, misaligned eyes might be noticeable (to me, at least!).
Got any questions or comments about the blocks you’re sewing? Let me know in the comments!
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The pageant rules are simple:
- Post your finish in the linky tool. (No links to your own giveaway or linky, please!)
- Point your readers back here with a text link or use the button above.
- Visit and comment on other participants’ finishes.
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