Oval vs Rectangle Jelly Roll Rug: Which Is Easier?
If you’re trying to decide between sewing an oval jelly roll rug versus a rectangle jelly roll rug, but you’re not sure which one is easier… the answer might actually surprise you.
When I first got into making jelly roll rugs, I assumed the rectangle rug would be easier.
I mean… straight lines should be easier than curves, right?
That seems logical.
But after sewing both, I realized it’s not quite that simple. So if you’re wondering which one to start with, here’s my honest beginner perspective.
Want to Watch Instead?
If you’d rather watch the comparison (and see both rugs up close), here’s the full YouTube video where I walk through the pros, cons, and frustrations of sewing both the rectangle and oval jelly roll rugs.
First, what’s the same?
Before comparing them, it helps to know that both rugs use basically the same supplies.
For both rugs I used:
the same jelly roll fabric (Cottage Core by Tiny Spool)
the same batting
the same tube-making process
So the big differences don’t happen until after the tube is made.
And yes… I still highly recommend some kind of tube maker like the Clover Fabric Tube Maker.
Could you fold it all by hand?
Sure.
Would I want to? Absolutely not.
That tool saves so much time and frustration.
My Experience Sewing the Oval Jelly Roll Rug
The oval jelly roll rug was the first one I made.
I started with oval mostly because there were way more tutorials online about it. It also looked simpler to me. There was less measuring, less cutting, and more continuous sewing, which really appealed to me.
But I was nervous about one big thing.
The beginning.
More specifically… those first tight rows.
I had heard so much about people getting the dreaded ripple or wave effect that I was convinced I was going to mess it up.
And honestly? The first couple rows were the hardest part.
You really do need to go slow.
Like… slower than you think.
But here’s what surprised me.
Once I got through the first three or four rows, something clicked and it suddenly got easier. A lot easier.
Once those tight corners opened up, I found a rhythm with it and actually started really enjoying the process. It became almost meditative and ended up being my favorite part of making the oval rug.
My biggest tip for sewing an oval jelly roll rug is to keep everything as flat as possible and let the machine do the work.
I really try not to push or pull the fabric at all.
I’m just guiding it.
That made a huge difference for avoiding ripples.
And finishing the oval rug? Surprisingly simple.
You basically taper the end in and sew it down.
When I finished my first oval rug, I was kind of shocked by how good it looked.
I remember thinking:
“Wait… I actually made that?”
And that rug completely got me hooked.
My Experience Sewing the Rectangle Jelly Roll Rug
Even though I loved the oval rug, I kept thinking about the rectangle.
I really love the look of rectangle jelly roll rugs.
In my old house, I had a very specific spot at the bottom of my stairs where I thought a rectangle rug would fit way better than an oval (I have since moved and of course, I didn’t take a picture of where I originally had put it!)
Going into it making the rectangle rug, I already knew it would involve more measuring and cutting.
That part didn’t surprise me.
What did surprise me was this:
As I sewed the tubes together, they really want to curve.
Even though you’re sewing straight sections together, the structure of the tube itself naturally wants to bend in one direction.
At one point, I genuinely thought I was making a rainbow-shaped rug.
Not exactly the rectangle I had envisioned.
That’s when I realized the rectangle rug is less about difficult sewing and more about mental problem-solving.
You have to slow down and think.
You need to:
alternate sewing direction
lay everything out and smooth out the curve with your hand
keep checking that it’s staying straight
It felt much more like solving a puzzle.
And depending on your personality… that might either be really satisfying or really annoying.
For me? It was a bit of both.
I actually liked that I could see any curvy ‘mistakes’ as I sewed each strip. That was one big advantage over the oval rug.
With the oval rug, you sometimes don’t notice a wave until 4 or 5 rows deep, and there is no amount of steaming or pressing that will fix those waves. So you just have to settle in and rip back a huge section.
With the rectangle rug, I felt like I had more control.
I was able to smooth out the curves with just my hands. And if something more disastrous had happened, you’d only have one seam or section to rip and fix.
That felt less risky.
I also found the rectangle rug easier to physically handle because it never got as bulky as the oval rug did near the end.
But then came the final step of the rectangle rug. The Binding.
Ugh. It wasn’t super hard, but bindings are annoying (apologies to anyone who loves binding!).
By that point I was already mentally tired from all the measuring and piecing. I really had to dig deep, gather my patience, and force myself through that last step.
But once it was done?
I was ridiculously proud. Doing hard things can be so rewarding.
So… Which Jelly Roll Rug Is Easier?
My honest answer?
They’re both beginner-friendly.
They’re just hard in different ways.
For me:
The oval jelly roll rug was harder in the beginning and easier later.
The rectangle jelly roll rug was easier in the beginning, but more mentally challenging as it went on.
So if you hate:
measuring
math
planning
I’d probably recommend starting with an oval rug.
But if you enjoy:
precision
structure
puzzles
straight edges
You might actually prefer the rectangle rug.
There really isn’t a wrong choice. They’re both beautiful. They’re both satisfying.
And fair warning…
They’re both a little addictive.
Supplies I Used
I only share products I actually use in my own sewing room. If something frustrates me, I’ll tell you that too!
These are affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and supplies I personally use and love.
Related Tutorials
Still deciding? These tutorials might help:
Beginner Jelly Roll Rug Tutorial
Learn how to sew your first oval jelly roll rug step by step.
Amazon vs Designer Jelly Rolls
Is expensive fabric worth it? I tested both.
Can You Use Flannel Instead of Batting in a Jelly Roll Rug?
I tested it using scrap flannel and share what worked, what didn't, and what I'd do differently.