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 a really simple but stunning quilt. I love that you admit your mistakes and what you would do different next time. I think this is by far my favorite quilt you have made, just for the simplicity of it but with major impact. I’d love to win a bundle! Thanks!
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Would love this fabric to sink my teeth into quilting! 😍
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What an awesome and generous giveaway. You are always such an inspiration to so many.
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Love the quilt! And super impressed with how fast you got it done.
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I would love to win! It’s a beautiful quilt.
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I love this quilt! I would love to make a rainbow quilt with the colors you chose!
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Ciao, I live in Italy and I have a baby boy who is the rainbow of my life!
I would really love to sew a quilt like that!
Ciao,
Giulia
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Such a beautiful quilt! And have fun on your picnic! 🙂
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Such a fun quilt! I would love to win 🙂
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It looks awesome! I would love a rainbow bundle; what a fun project!
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Those colors are so fabulous–I would love to win the fabric!
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This is such a fun and happy quilt! I’d love for this design to be my very first quilt!
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I’d love to whip one of these up! I was in the US earlier this year and you guys have no idea how lucky you are with fabric stores – can’t imagine being able to source these colours so easily in the UK. Enjoy your picnic 🙂
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Love this! I can believe how quickly you got it done!
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I have been absolutely adoring this quilt since the outset. LOVE how it turned out! Beautiful! I’d love to win and have a new project for when my son starts school in two weeks. Thank you!
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Ah, would love to make this. It really is the perfect picnic blanket.
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This so gorgeous. I love the colours. I’m expecting my first baby this January after a couple of years of infertility. And I’d love to use the fabric to sew a quilt for him or her – as my mum had a quilted blanket she made for me. Thanks for the great giveway
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Another inspiring quilt! I used your triangle tutorial to make mu first quilt. I’m now woking on my second. I love coming to your blog – so inspiring! Thanks for all that you share with us, Elise.
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Such a lovely quilt — my mom made me one similar but out of scraps that she had. I treasure it!
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LOVE!
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I’ve never made a quilt before, and this would be an incredible first project for my 6mo baby girl. Love it!
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OH MY! This is exquisite! I wanna make one too! You’re so inspiring me to start quilting, even though this kinda scares the hell out of me! But I just want to so much!
Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be one of your winners, thanks for the great giveaway! You’d make one happy mama-to-be (I’m 26 weeks pregnant now!) 🙂
Take care!
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Elise, I love this quilt. So, so beautiful! You amaze me with your talent and creativity! ♥
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This is so beautiful! I have always wanted to make my own quilt. Getting the fabric already cut would be a great staring point! Thanks!
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I’m very interested! The quilt is gorgeous!
Sarah M
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Ooohhhh this is so lovely! I would be thrilled to make a quilt with a stack of that fabric. I’ve never created a quilt with squares and I’ve been itching to try! 🙂
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Gorgeous! And amazing how quickly it came together. I, too, am inspired to quit again after a an 8-year hiatus (yikes!). A rainbow quilt might be just the thing to get me back into it!
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working on a rainbow toy room right now!! would love to add a snuggle blanket! thanks Elise!
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This project is perfect for those of us who love all colors and can’t say no to a rainbow pattern. Can’t wait to see the photos of Ellerie enjoying it at your picnic!
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and by “quit again” I mean “quilt again” of course 😉
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I’ve never made a quilt, but would love to try! You’re great inspiration!
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:: never made a quilt, but i’d sure love to try!
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Awesome quilt! I have been thinking in my head, I would love to make a rainbow quilt and this has completely inspired me! Thank you for sharing and for a chance to win.
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Thanks for a great giveaway! This would be my first quilt and I am up for the challenge. Fingers crossed. Enjoy your picnic 🙂
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I have two nieces who visit a bunch. This would be perfect for them to make.
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Love those colors…such a happy quilt. Would love to make one too. 🙂
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Love, love, love this. I’ve never completed a quilt before but after seeing this I’m motivated to try again.
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This is so cool. You’ve motivated me to want to buy a sewing machine with this single project. So rad! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Elise I am so excited about this quilt! And I think picking the fabric is the main reason why I have not made a quilt yet! This would be an awesome introduction to quilting!
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Taking a break from work to admire this gorgeous quilt. Beautiful. Would love to have a go at making one myself, and sharing the results with you! Amy 🙂
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Thanks for sharing. A perfect winter project for me to tackle. Can’t wait to see your picnic pictures:)
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Cool idea! The colors are so fun 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful!!! I’ve never quilted but always wanted to learn…maybe this will be a sign if I’m chosen. If not, I’m inspired to do this one, especially since you suggest it for beginners.
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What a fun quilt! I’d love to sew something like it 🙂
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I think some of your best crafts include rainbows / colorful items – very inspiring to me – I’d love to give my own take!
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This quilt is amazing!!!! I would love to try to make it. Thank you!!
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Oh my Gosh, I totally want to win one of those stacks. Thanks for the giveway, Elise! That rainbow quilt is fracking rad!! 🙂
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Beautiful quilt! So impressive. Because I am so curious to try quilting and you’ve convinced me that this is a good one for a beginner, how could I NOT enter this giveaway?? If I make this quilt, I would try mixing up all the colors in the matrix. I think that could look awesome as well.
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For the love of rainbows + quilts…I need this in my life! 🙂
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Hi Elise, I would love to make this quilt for my baby girl, it’s so fun and would really brighten up her nursery. I’m always so inspired by your diy’s!
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