Rainbow Remix Quilts Tutorial

Today we are talking rainbow quilts! I find such satisfaction in sewing colors into rainbow order. I've started a little tradition of making rainbow baby quilts for charity, you can see some of them here.

Remember last year when I made this simple striped rainbow quilt using soft muted colors? There's a free pattern for it if you missed it! Fabric Bubb still has color bundles too.

It was such a fun project that I wanted to do something like that again, but with a brighter rainbow this time. Because I need two baby girl gifts right now, I took the same cuts, and instead of a twin sized quilt like I did with the muted colors, I created two baby quilts and a pillow.

Before I share how, let me say that Stash Fabrics is carrying kits for the bright version, as well as the muted colors. There will be links for those tomorrow and I will add them here! You could use either bundle for either project (the twin sized quilt or the trio of smaller projects), though the bright bundle has one less color than the muted. So, if you use the brights for the throw size from the other post, your quilt will be a tad shorter. No biggie. You could always make the sashing on top and bottom wider too. If you use the muted rainbow for the trio of small projects, you'll have to omit one color (tragedy!) or just make your quilts a bit longer.

Alright, on to the trio of small projects.

You start with 14 quarter yards.

Cut each color quarter yard into:
(1) 4.5" x WOF strip (for the simple rainbow quilt)
(1) 3.5" x WOF strip (for the sashed rainbow quilt)

Now, if your cuts are very straight and a bit generous, you can cut the remainder to:
(1) 1.5" x WOF, subcut to (2) 20" x 1.5" cuts of each color (for the pillow)

I got mine all from Fabric Bubb or Merrily We Quilt Along, and I had no problem with the last cut. If you don't think your cuts are going to be straight enough to be sufficient, and you definitely want to make the pillow, you'll have to forego one of the baby quilts. You could make several pillows in that case!

From 3/4 yd white fabric for the sashed quilt, cut:
(13) 1.75" x WOF

For backing and binding you'll need:
1 1/2 yds backing for each quilt
1/3 yd binding fabric for each quilt
20" square backing for the pillow

Now I will describe the process for each individually.

Simple Rainbow Baby Quilt

Sew your (14) 4.5" x WOF strips together in rainbow order with a 1/4" seam. If you use the bundle that I did, some of them come from different manufacturers and therefore won't all be the exact same width of fabric. That's ok! When you're finished sewing them all together, press seams either to one side or open, it doesn't matter. I pressed to one side.

To trim up the sides, fold your pressed top in half right sides together, parallel with the stripes, and line up the top and bottom edges.

Fold in half again, the same direction. It will look something like this:

Now line up the bottom fold with a line on your cutting mat, and using the perpendicular lines on the mat, trim both sides of the quilt top. When you unfold it you should have perfectly straight edges if you've sewn and folded carefully.

Baste, quilt, and and bind as desired. For this one I did simple straight lines on my Juki TL 2010Q. It quilts so fast! I started by quilting 1/4" on either side of the seams, and then added two rows of quilting within each color. At first I used my Hera Marker to mark the lines, but ended up giving up on that and eyeballing the rest. That's pretty much a metaphor for my whole life right now, ha!

I backed this one in a gorgeous floral from Sunnyside Up by Corey Yoder for Moda. I used a Bonnie and Camille Smitten aqua dot for the binding.

Sashed Rainbow Baby Quilt

Sew a 1.75" x WOF white sashing strip to the bottom of every 3.5" x WOF color, except the very bottom one. Press away from the sashing. Now sew those pieces in rainbow order. Like the simple striped quilt, you will probably have different widths of fabric, and that's ok. Trim in the same way described above.

Finish the quilt as described above. On this one I used the automated squiggle stitch on my Husqvarna Viking. I used Swiss dots in multiple different colors on white for the sashing, grey Swiss dots on the back, and aqua dots for the binding.

Striped Pillow

Choose (18) 1.5" x 20" strips that you want to use for your rainbow. You'll need duplicates of 4 of the colors, but you can start and end your rainbow wherever you want. I started with the hot pink (second color in the quilt) which meant I ended with the lightest peach.

Sew all the strips together in order. Baste to batting and quilt as desired. I did a simple hand quilted running stitch with white friendship bracelet thread. You can buy a big bag of lots of colors very inexpensively. These ones I really did want to be quite straight so I marked the line with a disappearing pen and then stitched along it. You can read this more detailed hand quilting tutorial if you need to. Trim to 18" square.

Finish the pillow with a backing and zipper closure. I have a zipper tutorial video for pillows on my Instagram highlights. It's not professional by any means, I've got a long way to go in the video department! But you'll get the idea for sure. There is also a step by step photo tutorial in this post.

I always buy pillow forms at IKEA because they feel great and are inexpensive. The 20" down forms are perfect for 18" covers, you want your cover to be a bit smaller than the form for the perfect squishiness.

I backed mine in the same Sunnyside Up print, but on aqua instead of white.

Alright, I think that covers it! Please let me know if I've overlooked any details in the comments, I haven't been sleeping much lately!

Moda Love Quilt Along and Coloring Page

You've probably heard of the Moda Love quilt pattern. It's a classic! You can find the free PDF pattern for it here, and Moda is hosting a fun sew along for it right now called Moda LOVEin'. You can check out the Instagram hashtag to see some examples, there are lots of pretties there. Here are some of my favorites.

This beauty is a mix of Lella Boutique fabrics and was made by Karinda of @kmrainwater. I adore it.

The fun thing about this pattern is that it can be made using either a Layer Cake for a throw sized quilt, a Charm Pack for a baby quilt, or a Mini Charm Pack for a 12" block. The pattern includes instructions for all three. This is a throw size in Fig Tree fabrics by Joanna herself during the blog tour kickoff for the pattern.



Many people have put the fabric in color order, which always turns out pretty. I love this one by Whitney of @southernmakings. She did hers in Vintage Picnic by Bonnie and Camille, one of my very favorite fabric lines!

It's very striking in just two fabrics as well, like this clever little thing by Jessica @sawitloveditmadeit.

I'm thinking it would be fun to use this chambray dot as a background with different values of red.

Since I wanted to explore options for this quilt, I made a blank block that I could print out. I thought I'd share it here in case anyone else is wanting to plan theirs out.

Click here to print the coloring page. 

I can't wait to see what beauties are made during the sew along!

I'll be back shortly with the promised rainbow quilts tutorial, as soon as my foot feels better from dropping an Instant Pot on it (ouch) and the sun comes out for pictures! Hoping for Saturday. See you soon!

Christmas Medallion Quilt- Bambino Pattern

Hello! Merry December! I'm happy to have finished another Christmas quilt- this time the throw size of my Bambino pattern. I've put it on sale to celebrate!

(If you're wondering about that pillow, you can read about it here- Crochet Trim Pillow.)

I don't know why my photos are uploading blurry today, but I'm going to ignore it and carry on!

This pattern is designed to use precuts for the "dot" or snowball border- 3.5" Treats for the baby size, and 5" Charms for the throw size. Now before you ask what line I used for mine- I didn't! I love to make my own fabric combinations and I cut this custom Christmas charm pack a couple of years ago from my stash. I promise it will be cute in any Christmas line though! Or, you can cut your own favorites like me :)

I used Moda Crossweave in Black for the background and I always love the texture and contrast that provides. The binding is from Bonnie and Camille's Handmade line a few years back, and the backing is their new shiny silver dots from the Vintage Christmas line.

I loved making this quilt because I never got bored- each new layer makes it fun and exciting! Plus, Christmas quilts are always my happy place.

This one comes out to 63" square, a nice little throw size. You'd better believe we are using ours this weekend for Christmas movie night! The baby size is 42" square. You can see my baby one here, or check out some that other people have made. It doesn't have to be a Christmas quilt by any means, and I think it's especially cute for little boys.

The quilting was done by Emilee Hathaway. I'm not sure the name of the pattern, but I picked it because it sort of looks like Christmas lights on a strand. Right?

Grab the pattern while it's on sale for the next few days, and merry Christmas sewing!

Teacher Gift Ideas

It's that time of year when I start thinking about what to give my children's wonderful teachers for Christmas. We had parent teacher conferences this week, and I was reminded how much I appreciate these angels who are so patient and kind to my children.

I really like this free paper pieced apple block. I printed off the pattern at 50% (the original is 6" and I wanted it smaller), and went scrap diving for some appley colored fabrics.

Depending on specifics, I might try to incorporate one little apple into this cute new pouch pattern by Knotted Thread.  My paper copy of the new Cove Clutch should be coming any day!

The apple pattern was very simple. This was my 3rd time doing foundation paper piecing, and the first time I didn't have to look up how to do it to remind myself! I used some beautiful light blue linen that I got from Cottoneer. It looks like she's out of this color at the moment, but all the linens are on sale until Friday!

I love these apple pillows that Ashley of Mommy by Day Crafter by Night made. Everything she makes is adorable!

Image via Mommy by Day Crafter by Night

Ashley also made some really sweet stuffed apples for librarians and other special school staff. The pattern by Retro Mama is meant to be pincushions, but it would be a cute little doodad for their desk, or even a Christmas ornament.

Image via Mommy by Day Crafter by Night

If free time grew on trees like apples and could be plucked off by the bucketloads (!) I would make them each a rainbow quilt like this one. It's a super easy, free pattern!

I'd love to make another quilt just like this one, but with a brighter rainbow this time. Something like these solids with Swiss Dots that I've been gazing at on my desk for the past few weeks. It is such a cheerful stack!

Last year I was really sick with first trimester pregnancy and had absolutely no energy or motivation, so I kept it simple as can be. I made these key fobs, tied one to a treat baggie with pretty ribbon. Add a gift card to the mix if you want, and any teacher would be thrilled.

Here's the recipe for the Saltine Toffee I put in the treat bags. Don't knock it until you've tried it, this stuff is completely delicious, and SO easy to make!

Image Via The Girl Who Ate Everything

The last idea that I would absolutely love to make if time allowed would be a quilt with their name in a banner on it. Something like this alphabet pattern, worked into banner flags like in Celebrate by Cluck Cluck Sew, but in a different layout. I'd put the flags a little close together and all in a line to spell "Mrs. So and So". Tell me you can imagine the cuteness! Maybe some flower blocks along the bottom? Oh it would be fun.

Anyway, best of luck to you as you try to show you love and appreciation for these wonderful teachers through gifts. At the end of the day, a heartfelt note from you or your child would go a long way I'm sure. 

Honest Fabric custom fabric panels

This fall I've had the fun opportunity to become a designer for a new company called Honest Fabric. The founder, Karlee Porter, is known as a fantastic free motion longarm quilter. Her work is incredible! Her new company sells printed fabric panels- ready to quilt, no piecing required!

Each panel comes in different size and color options, and the fabric is high quality. I've had such a fun time thinking of different color options for my designs.

Some of the panels I designed to look like traditional quilts I love, but ones that use methods of piecing I don't love as much, like English Paper Piecing. I know so many people who love to do this, but I just can't make myself! And that's ok. These panels give the look of hexies without all the glue and papers :)

I had the same thing in mind when I designed the triangles. No point matching!

Other designs aren't meant to look like quilt piecing at all, just a fun motif that would be cute as a blanket, like these nesting dolls. There's also an option to have one of the designers make something custom just for you. I would love to do that!

Karlee has a coupon code right now if you check her Instagram page. I am still deciding which one I want to get, I'm exciting to work on my free motion quilting skills with one of these cute panels!