Free rainbow quilt pattern

Create a clever pixel quilt that will add some sunshine to any room, using Sarah Ashford's quick-sew square arrangement

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Sarah Ashford

Published: May 9, 2020 at 5:53 am

Free rainbow quilt pattern

Sew your way over the rainbow with this eye-catching modern rainbow quilt pattern. It's a great first pattern if you're new to patchwork as it's a pixel quilt, which means all you need to cut are simple squares of plain fabrics to piece up the quilt top.

Here's how to make it...

Fabric requirements

Fabric A (red) – ½yd
Fabric B (orange) one (1) fat quarter
Fabric C (yellow) one (1) fat quarter
Fabric D (green) one (1) fat quarter
Fabric E (blue) one (1) fat quarter
Fabric F (pink) one (1) fat eighth
Fabric G (purple) one (1) fat eighth
Background fabric: 2¼yds
Backing fabric: 3½yds
Binding fabric: ½yd

Finished size

60in square

Notes

Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted.
WOF = width of fabric.
Press fabrics well before cutting.
Fabric supplied by Robert Kaufman
Bleached white batting supplied by Hobbs Bonded Fibres

Fabrics used

Fabrics are all Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman as follows:
Fabric A: Red
Fabric B: Kumquat
Fabric C: Corn Yellow
Fabric D: Sour Apple
Fabric E: Water
Fabric F: Dahlia
Fabric G: Azalea

Rainbow quilt pattern free

Tip: Lay out your rows on a large surface or design wall before sewing them together

You will need:

Fabric (Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman) (See full fabric requirements list in the pattern)
Batting (64in square)
Sewing machine
Thread

Cutting out

Step 1

From Fabric A cut: Fifty (50) 3in squares.
From Fabric B cut: Forty two (42) 3in squares.
From Fabric C cut: Thirty (30) 3in squares.
From Fabric D cut: Twenty six (26) 3in squares.
From Fabric E cut: Twenty six (26) 3in squares.
From Fabric F cut: Twenty (20) 3in squares.
From Fabric G cut: Sixteen (16) 3in squares.
From the background fabric cut: Three hundred and sixty six (366) 3in squares.
From the binding fabric cut: Seven (7) 2½in x WOF strips.

Piecing the quilt top

Step 1

Arrange your squares into four sections, each twelve rows of twelve squares, referring to the Layout Diagram below. Sew the squares in each section into rows, pressing seams open or to one side. Sew the rows together to complete each section, carefully matching seams.

Rainbow quilt pattern free

Step 2

Sew the sections into pairs, pressing seams to opposite sides on each pair. Then sew the pairs together, carefully matching seams to complete the quilt top.

Quilting and finishing

Step 1

Cut the backing fabric in half across the width. Remove the selvedges and sew the two pieces together using a ½in seam allowance. Press the seam open.

Step 2

Press the quilt top and backing well. Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the quilt top centrally and right side up. Baste the layers together using your preferred method.

Step 3

Quilt as desired. Sarah quilted simple straight lines about ½in apart, using a white cotton thread. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the quilt to 60in square.

Step 4

Sew the binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and trim the dog ears. Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together, and press.

Step 5

Sew the binding to the right side of the quilt, creating a neat mitre at each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place around the edges to finish.

How to make a rainbow quilt

Modern quilt designer

Sarah is a well-loved designer in the modern quilting industry. She’s been quilting for over a decade and is the Founder and Chairman of the South West Modern Quilt Guild. She’s had a needle in her hand since she was young and her quilt designs are known for their bright colours, crisp designs and clever use of negative space. She loves Insta challenges and designing quilt patterns for craft magazines, including Love Patchwork & Quilting, Mollie Makes and Today’s Quilter (in which she is a columnist) and also designs for Aurifil Threads. She co-founded the Great British Quilter Instagram challenge and podcast and is a fan of English Paper Piecing. See more of her work at www.sarahashfordstudio.com or find her on Instagram @sarahashfordstudio.