Safe to say this is the EASIEST quilt I've ever completed. Highly recommend if you are new to quilting and looking for something high-impact and fun to start with. The hardest part was actually picking out the colored fabrics, but because I love a rainbow, that was the most fun part too.
I bought 1/3 yard of 36 different colors. This was not the most economical way to go about it, but I was very picky about my colors and so I couldn't just buy a bundle of rainbow fat quarters. I do, however, have enough fabric to make four rainbow quilts, so if you were going to make a bunch to give as gifts or something, this would be ideal. (I'm going to give away three of the stacks of fabric so three of you can make a similar quilt – details at the end of this post.)
I cut the fabric into squares that were 10×10 inches using a cutting mat, ruler and rotary trimmer. After a million triangle quilts, cutting squares (especially this large) was so easy and enjoyable.
I laid it all out to be sure I had the order right. I wanted to go red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple horizontally and then have it fade from darkest to lightest vertically. I sewed each rainbow together so I had six strips of six squares each and then ironed my creases open and pinned it together. Because there were so few corners to line up, this one actually came together pretty neatly.
I screwed up a bit and cut my backing fabric too small. I went with a white extra wide cotton backing but didn't quite give myself enough wiggle room and over the course of sewing all those lines, it shifted a bit which meant I had to lose some of the front to even it out (you'll notice that the darkest red square in particular is smaller than the others). This sort of thing always bothers me at the time, but I know from experience that months (or even days) from now when we're actually using the quilt, it's not the sort of thing I'll notice or worry about.
To give it a bit of dimension, I quilted tons of horizontal lines across the surface. The thread on the top is white and then I alternated the color in the bobbin so the thread on the backing was multi-colored in a rainbow. It's VERY subtle. Too subtle to be worth it, I'd say. In photos it looks particularly lame. In person you can kind of see, but you really have to look for the color change. If I did it again I would probably just use all one color or even just white.
The finished quilt is about 55×55 inches though it will shrink a bit when I wash it. I bound it in gray stripe but black and white stripe would have looked awesome too.
Overall – it's one of my top ten favorite projects. I'm taking Ellerie to the park tonight for a picnic to break it in.
And now! The giveaway! As mentioned, I have enough fabric for four quilt tops and I only made one. So I have THREE stacks of rainbow squares that are already cut to 10×10 inches. You'd need your own batting, binding and backing fabric but you'd be at least partway there if you won. Please leave a comment if you're interested. I'll draw three winners by the weekend and will ship anywhere.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED, drawing winners now and will announce Saturday AM.
enJOY it 
1,233 responses to “super simple rainbow quilt.”
Wow, I’m the first to comment?!! I guess it helps that I’m in England and it’s lunchtime here, rather than 5am! I would LOVE to win one of the sets of fabric. I am so impressed with how quickly you made this quilt. I have also been on a bit of a triangle kick lately, making a pinwheel quilt, so the idea of cutting giant squares seems positively wonderful : )
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Oh, I would love to win some fabric! What an awesome giveaway!! 🙂
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I would be so interested. I want to start a project like this with my daughter and she loves rainbows so it would be perfect!! Thanks for offering!
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I always look at your quilts and say no way could I do that! But this seems like a perfect way to break into it, what a fun quilt!
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It’s so pretty and I love that we get a chance to create our own blanket. I am in the process of making my first quilt and this is amazing! Thanks for the chance to win. I know two little girls who would love to snuggle up under such a vibrant blanket. 😀
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I would love to win these fabrics and be able to make my own Elise quilt 🙂
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So pretty!! Would love this fabric to attempt my very first quilt!!
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It’s even more beautiful than I expected. The lines are the perfect finish! Ill be patiently waiting for my quilt starter! 🙂
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I love it! I would love to win some fabric.
It’s perfect for my daughters birthday coming up!
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Great job! It turned out beautiful! I have questions though….did you use a walking foot for the topstitching? How did you do the topstitching—left to right? or start in the center and work your way out? (topstitching is always a struggle for me!)
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What a fantastically cheery rainbow to brighten up the upcoming dreary Midwestern winter. I can see myself and the family snuggling up under it for movie nights! What a great giveaway.
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OMG your best giveaway EVER! _
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yes, please!!! such a lovely quilt!!
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Beautiful job! It looks so cherry and fun. I admire your ability to get things done. I have always wanted to quilt-need to just do it one of these days.
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It’s beyond gorgeous! I have all my fingers and toes crossed that some awesome rainbow fabric will find its way to me x
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oh, i would love to win this fabric an sew my very first quilt!
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Sweet quilt! Making one is on my bucket list. Would love to win. I have special 2-1/2 year old twins I’d like to make it for! Of course I’ll need to make a second one, but this will would get me started. Thank you for sharing!
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This quilt is so fun! A week ago I asked my soon-to-be 3 year old daughter, lover of all things rainbow, if she wanted to have a rainbow themed birthday party. Her eyes instantly got huge with excitement. I’d love to win the fabric so I can surprise her with a rainbow quilt for her birthday. BTW, congrats on a second baby girl! We are due with our second girl in 5 weeks 🙂
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Hi! I’d love a stack of rainbows. I’m actually just about to finish making a triangle quilt inspired by your tutorial from FOREVER ago. It is turning out great! Just about to finish piecing the top so a mini rainbow quilt seems like the perfect change of pace for my next project 🙂
P.S. I am always seriously impressed in how fast you crank out projects!
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I need more color in my life! This would be the perfect project to inspire me. Fingers crossed!
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Wow, I love this! I have never made a quilt but since you
‘re saying it’s easy to begin with.. I’d love to try 😉 xo
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Oh so fun! I would love to make one of these for my children. Our daughter is 2 months old and our son is 20months. The age gap is crazy hectic, but i often imagine how it’ll be in a year or so. I love the idea of them playing together on such a happy quilt. Win or not. This is definitely going on my do during naptime goals list.
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Such beautiful colors! I would love to make a quilt like that – it’s been too long since I made one.
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So cute! My 11 year old just started sewing and wants to make a quilt – this would be perfect 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration & the chance to win!
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Love! I quilt but have never used 10″ squares… I have got to give it a try!!!
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I would love to win – I have your get quilty course but haven’t been brave enough to do it yet. The quilt is beautiful!
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I adore bright colors and would love to start quilting with these.
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This is awesome and makes me want to quilt more than most anything has of late. I’d love to win!
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I have never done a quilt, but I have found this lovely old lady to show me more about sewing a quilt. it’s not very common to do this in my region of the world, so I’m happy to have found her. I live in austria, europe. I love quilts but I love rainbows more. this would be so wonderful for me to be my very first one. I’d be eternally grateful.
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This quilt is so perfect! I’d love to make one like it.
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I would love this to give to my mama! She makes baby quilts for all of her friends who are expecting 🙂
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Yay for rainbows- count me in! Thanks for the giveaway!
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Oh I loved watching your progress on Instagram! I would love to win…when I was pregnant wth our daughter we called her rainbow…her name is Eve..but I think she needs a rainbow quilt 😍
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So simple and yet so lovely! Can’t wait to give this project a try. Thanks for the giveaway!
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That is gorgeous! Thank you for the chance to make this incredible quilt. LOVE it!
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This is gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win!!
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be still my rapidly beating heart!!!! this is drop dead GORGEOUS, Elise. fabulous work! the quilting totally takes this project over the top! i would LOVE to win a bundle if fabric! seriously, who wouldn’t want to make one of their own!? YOU. INSPIRE. ME.
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This looks amazing! I’ve never quilted before but this has inspired me to shake myself into gear and give it a go! Well done 🙂
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What a bright addition to any quilt collection.
Easy assembly as well!
Thanks for the chance.
TRINDIN in Michigan
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I just finished a quilt for my new son so this would be a fun one to make now. September always makes me want to quilt.
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This is a great quilt. I’m looking for a simple quilting project now that I have a three month old.
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I’ve been wanting to make a quilt for a while. This would be a great first time pattern. Thanks!
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I always love your quilting projects, they all look so amazing. I would really like to try my hand at this one. Love, from Hamburg, Germay.
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I LOVE YOUR QUILT! I want to make one!!! I took a beginners sewing course this past spring and then purchased your Get Quilty e-course because I really want to make a quilt, but haven’t gotten organized to make a quilt yet (despite having the batting waiting for me). This quilt is so sunny and happy. I just love it 🙂
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Oh I have been wanting to try making a quilt and this seems like such a fun one to start with. Nothing like a splash of color to break my sewing machine out of the closet! I would love the fabric 🙂
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The colors you chose are perfect! I would love a chance to win and make one too!
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what a great quilt to give as a gift!
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I would LOVE the fabric to try and make this quilt. Choosing fabrics is where I tend to get stuck on projects, so the head start would be great!
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What an awesome giveaway! I need to dig out my sewing machine and get sewing again, I am inspired!
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Love it! Thanks for sharing, Elise! Have a fun picnic. 🙂
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