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.”
Gorgeous!! What an amazing project!
LikeLike
Oh I love this rainbow quilt. Would love to try my own.
LikeLike
Oh this is so fun!! It looks so great Elise! And I bet your picnic will be the most adorable picnic in the park 🙂 And yes lets all make rainbow quilts!
LikeLike
I’m always inspired by your quilting projects and would love a picnic blanket to take to the park. You never cease to amaze me with your projects. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
LikeLike
Love the quilt! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I love it! I can’t wait to make a similar one – this rocks!
LikeLike
I would love to make this for my best friend who is expecting in October!
LikeLike
That quilt is beautiful. I’d love to have one to hang on my living room wall. It makes me smile.
LikeLike
Wahoo! Rainbows everywhere! Would love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
LikeLike
This looks absolutely fabulous! Way to go. It also looks like an easy quilt for a first-timer?! But most important, enjoy that picnic!
LikeLike
Gorgeous! I’d love to try making one of these myself.
LikeLike
I love this color palette and I love quilts! I have been looking for more excuses to sew and this would be nice to add to the list 🙂
LikeLike
What a great idea! I’d love to make one of these for our family!
LikeLike
What a modern and simply beautiful quilt. I love that it was easy to piece – my favorite part of quilting. Thanks for sharin.
LikeLike
This is your best quilt ever! I would love to win and make it for my college-bound daughter. Thank you for this opportunity.
LikeLike
What a modern and simply beautiful quilt. I love that it was easy to piece – my favorite part of quilting. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Beautiful quilt! I love rainbows and have crocheted a couple of rainbow blankets for my daughters. I would love to make a rainbow quilt! Thanks for sharing your leftovers. 🙂
LikeLike
Picking out fabric for quilts is the hardest part for me. Would love a chance to win.
LikeLike
I noticed the red and wondered if I was imagining it until you mentioned it ;-). I can just picture two little blondes on this quilt on the grass with their cookies ❤️🌈
LikeLike
What a fun project!
LikeLike
Hi Elise! What a beautiful quilt! I am inspired by it!! Thanks for the giveaway! Here in Portugal is 1:00 and I will have Rainbow dreams! xoxo
LikeLike
You are so fast! I don’t know if I find it inspiring or intimidating. Love the giveaway – you have such an eye for color!
LikeLike
Ooh, would love to make this!
LikeLike
Ive always wanted to make a quilt and this would be a perfect one to start with. And plus, who doesnt love a rainbow blanket!?
LikeLike
I’d love a fast easy project!
LikeLike
Sew cute! What a lovely quilt!
LikeLike
I would love to make one for a friend having a new baby in December. Fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Oooh! I’d love to make one of these!
LikeLike
looks fantastic… would be a great first project for my new sewing machine that I’m too scared to use!! haha…
LikeLike
I don’t know how she did it, but I’ve done it and generally start in the middle. And I definitely use a walking foot.
LikeLike
My quilting skills have been dormant since I finished a blanket for my baby (who is now five and a half and starting kindergarten tomorrow). I’d love to have a rainbow quilt be my next quilting project.
LikeLike
Aren’t rainbows fun? Congratulations on a quick and beautiful finish!
LikeLike
yesss im all about this! pick me pick me!
LikeLike
This project is gorgeous! I would love to win this giveaway! I have a sweet baby girl who would love to use a rainbow quilt!! Thanks for a great opportunity Elise and for all your inspiring posts, love reading your blog!
LikeLike
so rad!
LikeLike
Love this quilt! I’ve never sewn a quilt and would love to try this as my first. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Amazing giveaway! I’d love to win the fabric. Your finished quilt is stunning!!
LikeLike
I would love to make this for my daughter. She’s six and her baby brother is turning two. She definitely has days where she needs some extra loving after having to deal with lots of “mines” and baby pinching. She would love this quilt almost as much as I do.
LikeLike
Love this. So bright and fun! I think I’ll be making something similar with or without the giveaway. 🙂
LikeLike
Wow. This would be a perfect first quilt to make for my rainbow baby! So cool!
LikeLike
This would be a fun way to get me motivated to dust off my sewing machine!
LikeLike
This quilt is gorgeous! I would love to make one!
LikeLike
Wow! This would be a perfect quilt for my rainbow baby! So cool.
LikeLike
simply gorgeous….I’m inspired to make my own!
LikeLike
Would love to win this and make my own rainbow!
LikeLike
Hi Elise! I’d love to sew something with these fabrics! Your quilt is beautiful.
LikeLike
This quilt is beautiful! I imagine it would be a good starter quilt, and the payoff is fantastic. Love the horizontal lines. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing it with us!
LikeLike
I would love to win this bundle! I’ve made two quilts, one for my dad and one for my father in law. I’d love to make one that is a little more girly!
LikeLike
Love the idea of machine quilting – I’m in the middle of a large hand quilting project that is just too much some days. THanks for the chance.
LikeLike