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.”
You say it would be a great starter quilt? Excellent – I’d love to win the fabric!
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Making a quilt has been on my list of things to try. I even bought your ecourse but haven’t tried to make one yet. This would be perfect! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win!!
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Oh I love this quilt! What an awesome giveaway! I am trying to make some new quilts before foster kids come so they can feel cozy!
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Super fun project! It turned out great!! I planned to do a rainbow quilt with just strips of solid colors, but I like the idea of blocks. Cute, cute, cute.
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So lovely! The colors you chose were perfect!
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This quilt makes my heart sing! Would loves chance to make one similar.
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What a great prize, I would LOVE to win.
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It is beautiful, I’d love to give it a try. Thanks for your generosity!
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I love how quickly this came together and the fade effect. I’d love to copy your efforts!
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This is such a fun giveaway! I’d love to win and attempt my first quilt 🙂
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My daughter would love this and I’m just finishing the table runner from your Let’s Get Quilty class so now is the perfect time to start a square quilt!
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I’m expecting my first child in January, and I’ve been planning to make him/her a quilt, so this would be perfect! Your projects are very inspiring, and of course at this time in my life I also love reading your thoughts on being pregnant. Best wishes from Josefin all the way from Finland!
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This would be awesome motivation to sew my first quilt!
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It’s gorgeous! I was inspired as soon as I saw your fabric swatches on insta. The color choices are PERFECT! I would love love love to win a set. Fingers crossed!!
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I love this quilt! But picking fabric is so stressful so it’s the perfect give away!
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So inspired by how you get an idea and make it happen so fast! Love the rainbow…really happy and FUN!
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I’m so in love with this quilt. The quilting itself really adds so much texture. It would be fun to win the fabrics!
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Oh, Elise, this one is wonderful!
I see a lot of those pop up on instagram in no time, you are such an inspiration!
Would love to win!
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awesome idea and love the rainbow colors … you impressed me by how fast you did it ! would be a great chance to start my own one for my family times !
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This quilt has me thinking I could do this!! Love this so much. Thanks for the opportunity!
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What a beautiful, cheery quilt and the ombré effect is stunning. It just screams happiness. You have inspired me to get started on one of my own. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and talents.
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Amazing colors! That’s the part I have trouble with. I’d love to make one.
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I love rainbows and love the quilt. I was thinking about you working on it this weekend and it made me want to quilt again too.
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I’d love to win. My cousin and his wife are expecting their first baby in November and I’ve been thinking about making a quilt for a gift. A rainbow quilt would be perfect!
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Beautiful quilt as ALWAYS, Elise! I would love to try this soon!
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I have never quilted before, but would love to start with this super simple quilt! great job!
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Your quilt is beautiful! Would love to make one of my own.
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Oh yes please! Just made my first quilt, inspired by you, and loved it!!
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What a beautiful project Elise. And a generous giveaway! I’ve only made one quilt before (and it’s still in progress) but this one looks like a lot of fun! Would love to win the fabric!
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Absolutely love. I would love to make one – it’s perfect.
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I’d LOVE this! We are moving this weekend to a house where I’ll have room to leave my sewing machine out! That just calls for a new project! Love your ideas!
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I love it! I’d love to win a stash of fabric 🙂 I kinda failed my first quilt and turned it into a patchwork blanket instead and would love to give it a go again!
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This is so beautiful! I’ve been wanting to try quilting and a simple design like this makes it seem less daunting, with a lovely end product. I like the idea of choosing a color palette and then building off of it with different shades. Great idea!! Getting excited for fall 🙂
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OMG I am in LOVE. I have been looking to learn machine quilting (have some hand-quilting skills), and this looks like the PERFECT project. It has taken everything in me to not run out right now and buy 36 pieces of rainbow fabric!!! Thanks for the chance to win! This project is DEFINITELY on my list after school starts!
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My 2 1/2 year old daughter would love this! She sings the rainbow song frequently. Thanks for tha chance.
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I would love to try this for my first quilting project! I’m a big fan of color and this rainbow quilt is dreamy!
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Enjoy the picnic! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Have a truly awesome and blessed week!
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This is gorgeous! Oh SO interested in fabrics!!!
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This is GORGEOUS. I would love to give this quilt a try 🙂
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Your quilting is always so inspiring! I’m getting out my sewing machine again this month whether I win or not 🙂
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Beautiful quilt! I would love to win! Thank you for being so inspiring, Elise!
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I would love to be able to try this out! Looks beautiful
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Absolutely love this quilt and would love the chance to win some of your fabric. You are awesome at picking fabric colors!
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Beautiful quilt! Love the colors! My girls love quilt picnics too!
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You’ve been inspiring me to try my hand at a quilt for ages–winning this might just be the push I need to make it happen 🙂
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Oh my gosh I’d LOVE to make this quilt! I also love that it’s not gender specific too. Awesome job Elise! Bummer about the back though…when I saw your idea I thought for sure it’d turn out “bolder”. Well, live and learn!
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YES! Raising my hand! This project is gorgeous – well done!!
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Please please please! This will definitely motivate me to start on my first quilting adventure!!
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Gorgeous, fun quilt! I’d love to make one 🙂
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Thanks for the giveaway. The fabric would be vey happy at my house. My sewing machine is hungry and wants to see the light of day :).
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