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.”
This is amazing!! I’ve never made a quilt but I would love for this to be the first one! I definitely share your love of rainbows.
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It’s awesome! Because of you I planning to try a rag quilt when I get my weekends back this winter. These would be perfect! My mom used to hand quilt (which I think may be for crazy people) but I’m willing to give simple machine quilting a try. Thanks for being inspirational!
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I retire next week!! Would love to win these quilt squares to get started on a project!! LOVE!
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Super cute I’ve been wanting to try a stab at quilting and would love to win the fabric as a a first project. Thanks.
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My MIL makes at least 2 quilts a year and very soon she will be teaching me her ways! I’m excited to try my hand at it! Your rainbow quilt looks like a great beginner one, I’d love to try it out!!
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You’ve inspired me yet again with another quilt idea!!!!
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You continue to delight and amaze me with your many, many creative projects, Elise! I’m in the process of trying to make a teeny lap quilt for my mom that is made up of fabric from shirts that my dad wore. (He passed away 10 years ago.) I LOVE the look of your rainbow quilt and would love a chance to try to make one like yours. Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful ideas with us!
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Yes, please! Would love some rainbow quilt fabric! Thank you!!
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Well. I see you have 1000+ comments by now, which is like, WHOA! But this giveaway is TOO GOOD not to try for. I’ve never made a quilt but have been itching for awhile (since my machine only sees paper).. this seems like THE perfect gateway quilt project. AND I have daughter who LIVES for rainbows! Crossing my fingers… but if not, thanks, as always, for the inspiration!
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I haven’t quilted in ages. It would be so fun to do a rainbow one!
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So interested! Would love to attempt a project like this. 🙂
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I think the lines are awesome and totally worth the effort. Love it.
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I would love to win a set. Maybe I’ll finally do a quilt!
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A rainbow connection! Such a happy quilt. Thanks for the give away!🎉
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This looks like such a neat project! I’ve never made a quilt but I’d definitely be willing to give it a try- it’s a skill I’ve been wanting to learn!
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Love your quilt. The fabric would be great to get me started.
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Look at you making and giving! Love your determination to get a big fat craft project done in one weekend with a toddler and 30 weeks pregnant. I love simple block quilts and would really enjoy making one like this. Haven’t sewed in a couple years, but would happily pick it up for this!
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I’d love to win this – quilting is my dream hobby but I’m not a seamstress. Maybe the straight lines and squares will make it an easy way to start…
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Love the bright colors and the way the long quilting lines look. Huge squares might be a quilt I can actually finish! 🙂
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I absolutely love this and would be very happy to make one! Rainbows are always a good idea! 🙂
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I would love to win this!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Kate
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PIck me! I would love to make my own version of this for my little girl!!
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This is awesome, and I’d love to make one!
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I love how your quilt turned out. I’d love to use your squares to make one
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Would love for this to be my first quilting project!
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Lovely – and so generous to share with us! Thank you
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Yes, please. I love this quilt and would love to make it for my special daughter who is moving into her first real home away from home next month!
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LOVE this project!! I definitely need to make my own!
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Never have I wanted to see or quilt…. Until I saw this. Love.
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I have never quilted before but would love to give this a go!
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Oh wow, you picked such great colors! I’d love to work with squares that big for a quilt top.
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This looks amazing! I’ve never made a quilt but I’d love to give this a try.
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Who doesn’t love a rainbow? To me, this is exactly what quilting should be. Done. Done. And done. (and used at the park!)
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I love love LOVE this quilt. Normally I am a more monochromatic kind of girl, but expecting myself I want a rainbow quilt for my kid as well. I fell in love with these rainbow colours and the idea. I would like to give it a try! You did an excellent job! Love it!
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This will be perfect in our home!! Please send the bright and beautiful to South Africa for our bedroom!!
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I would love to make one quarter of this Elise rainbow quilt magic here in New Zealand. Thanks for the chance to win ❤
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This is beautiful! This inspires me to sew more! Crossing my fingers.
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I’ve been dying to try a quilt again. This would be the push I need!
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Great quilt and great giveaway. I’m a sucker for rainbows 🙂
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Love this! Rainbow colors r the best! Plus seems like a great first quilt project.
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i would be so so happy to win, i would love to make my first quilt ever :)) and i am sure it would brighten my winter – it’s often quite cold and dark (and also beautiful..) here in austria .
best wishes !!
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Love the colours you chose!
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What a beautiful quilt! Would love to make one!
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Thank you much for the opportunity! The shades are gorgeous!
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Thank you for the opportunity to start my first quilt!
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I was sceptical of this idea when you posted on Instagram but when you showed the final result, I love, love, loved it. So much that I almost bought the material today to make my own, but hesitated just in case I could use your leftovers. You never know, right? 😉 (Also- I love this idea for a giveaway- it’s encouraging others to be creative, is finding a use for otherwise unwanted material and can bless others.)
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Oh, wow, I can’t even imagine how many comments there will be by the weekend! Such a lovely quilt and such a great giveaway, Elise!
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I would love love love to make this quilt to use in my photography business!! Thank you for the opportunity!!
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So many colors!
And I have my first on the way.
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WOW!!! Beautiful quilt !!! The colors are amazing!!
Of course I’m interested!!! perfect easy quilt for a beginner like me!!!
Thanks a lot!!!
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