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.”
So much fun! I’m totally going to make one!
LikeLike
I’d love to make a super colorful quilt for my little nephew with these fabrics! I think I’d go with a mixed pattern though, thanks for this giveaway!
LikeLike
super fun! I enjoyed watching the progress on Instagram over the weekend!
LikeLike
so fun ❤️💛💚💙💜 makes me want to sew!
LikeLike
This quilt is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for offering this awesome giveaway!
LikeLike
This quilt is beautiful! I would love to make one like it for my first quilt.
LikeLike
LOVE THIS! I’m so inspired to try my first quilt, can’t think of a better way to try and start. Thanks for the giveaway, enjoy the picnic!
LikeLike
I am definitely interested! Your projects always look so fun to try!
LikeLike
Just wanted to say that this is gorgeous, such a happy project. I also wanted to say how incredibly generous it is for you to do all the fabulous giveaways that you do!
LikeLike
Pick me, pick me! I’d be so excited by such a pretty, and fast, quilting project!
LikeLike
My S-I-L is always after me to do quilting. This would be a fun and somewhat easy project. I really like the straight-line quilting. It seems perfect for the design of the quilt!
LikeLike
I’ve been obsessed with your quilt since I first saw your color choices! Since my Lisa Frank days I’ve always had a thing for rainbows! I gotta make this quilt!
LikeLike
Love the rainbow! Glad you are willing to ship anywhere it’s great to be invluded in a giveaway like this. My little boy would love a rainbow quilt!
LikeLike
Your kilt is soooooo nice !!! Since I see all your kilts, I want to do one. This giveaway is really awesome. Thank you Elise. I want to make a kilt for baby who is due for december… but never sewn something else than a curtain !!
LikeLike
Count me in. This quilt is awesome. I’d love to make one for my girl, who loves all things bright and colorful. 🙂
Thanks, Elise!
LikeLike
Love it! Count me in!
LikeLike
I would love to win this! Looks like the perfect quilt to break out my sewing machine for 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
LikeLike
I love this project and have been waiting to see your finished product! It is AWESOME!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, this is my favorite project of yours yet! I’d love to win the fabric squares but if not, I’m adding it to my project list anyway! Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
My daughter, named Elise, as well, loves rainbows and has been begging for a rainbow room. A rainbow quilt would be a perfect start! And having the fabric all ready to go is even better!
LikeLike
Love the quilt!!
LikeLike
What a beautiful quilt. itmwould be awesome to win a set of fabric squares to make one. Thanks for the chance to win.
LikeLike
oh my gosh this is so cute. I would love to make one to share with my 9 grandbabes, adorable. Have fun on the picnic.
LikeLike
I’d love to win a set! My first baby is due at the beginning of Oct and I’m now on medical leave. I just started teaching myself how to sew (wonky bibs and hats for the win!) and this would keep me busy during those long last weeks of waiting. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
LikeLike
I would make this quilt in a heartbeat if I won the fabric! This is awesome! Thank you so much for the chance and you have inspired me to get sewing! Love this so much, Elise!
LikeLike
I would love to have one even if I am really far (West Africa) but we do have post office 🙂 The idea of rainbow will be a good inspiration for a rainbow kilt but with wax or ankara print. Here tailors are more affordable than buying a sewing machine. Thank you again for the constant inspiration.
LikeLike
Your colour choices are spot on! Love it. Thanks for the chance to win our own bundles – exciting!
LikeLike
Oh man, I’d love to win…I have a two year old and a 3 week old at home and I’m itching to make a quilt but dont have the time to think or pick out/cut fabric, this would be absolutely perfect!!!
LikeLike
This might be my favorite quilt of yours yet! However, I still LOVE E’s baby quilt. I would love to make one for my own Charlotte. Enjoy your picnic!
LikeLike
This quilt is gorgeous! I’d love the challenge of making one myself, and my daughter would love it! I’d love to win!
LikeLike
Oh my I would love to do this project with my mom as she is just taken a interested in making quilts. She has already finished two this summer
LikeLike
I haven’t made a quilt in 3 years, but this is soooo inspiring. I’d love to win a stack and jump back in the game. Thanks for the chance. Take care of yourself and stay cool!
LikeLike
I want to make a rainbow quilt! That is beautiful, I’d love to win!
LikeLike
C’est trop beau!! I live in France and I would very much like to have this kind of quilt. People would be wondering where on earth would I have found this great idea of a rainbow quilt?? Alors, pourquoi pas moi?? Merci.
Have fun at the pick nick.
Sophie.
LikeLike
I’m going to make this quilt for our cottage BUT would really love to win the fabric bundle!! Great project Elise, really caught my eye and also great for the beginner!! Have a fun picnic!
BTW you are looking great and your pregnancy is going so fast, but I’m not in it! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh love love – beautiful quilt. I’ve always wanted to try quilting, and this looks like a great beginner project!
LikeLike
I would love to win! You did such a good job picking out those colors, the quilt is perfect… Uneven red square and all, lol. You are totally right- it would bug me initially but once you start using it, it will be fine.
LikeLike
Aw that’s disappointing that the coloured thread didn’t have quite the impact we all thought it would… Still looks amazing though!
I would totally make this quilt! I actually already have the perfect grey and white striped binding fabric! I wonder if coloured thread would show up better on a grey or black backing? Or would it still just be way too subtle?
LikeLike
Oh I love this! Such a great weekend quilting project!
LikeLike
Would love to make one of these! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I am a beginner at sewing/ quilting and would love to make this quilt!
Thanks for the constant inspiration!
LikeLike
Thanks for the giveaway! Your quilt inspires me to start sewing again!!
LikeLike
I’d love to win this fabric for my very first quilt! 😀
LikeLike
YouR quilt is beautiful and the rainbow colours are fun! Can’t believe how quick you put this together!!
LikeLike
Would love to win a stack of that fabric!! Loved watching you progress and it turned out beautifully!!!
LikeLike
I’d love to win these fabric squares. Your quilt looks so amazing!
LikeLike
This is so great! I would love to use it for my first quilt!
LikeLike
LOVE how this turned out; I am so inspired to try 🙂 Thanks so much for the chance!
LikeLike
Your quilt is beaut Elise! I think this would be a fun project and would love to win! So cool that you don’t mind shipping anywhere, would love to see some rainbow fun make it over to Manchester, England. Thanks for the chance x
LikeLike
Would love to get some of the fabric! I am working on a rainbow themed room right now and this would be the perfect addition to it! And an easy project to get me out of my summer crafting funk!! You are so generous!!!
LikeLike