Zippy Rainbow Quilt Tutorial

First scrappy stash quilt finished for charity…

 

Tutorial for Zippy Rainbows

Finished size 46.5 x 46.5

Seam allowance 1/4 inch

Step 1 – Cut Colored Blocks
Follow the cutting chart below to make your 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch squares.

Red – 1
Orange – 5
Yellow – 9
Green – 13
Blue – 17
Purple – 21

Step 2 – Assemble Colored Rows
Each row contains 2 strips. A shorter strip and a longer strip.

Follow the chart below to sew the colored blocks into rows. Label the rows. Press neatly and set aside.

Row 3 Orange:
2 squares
3 squares

Row 5 Yellow:
4 squares
5 squares

Row 7 Green:
6 squares
7 squares

Row 9 Blue:
8 squares
9 squares

Row 11 Purple:
10 squares
11 squares

Step 3 – Cut White Strips
The white areas were made using strips not blocks for speedy assembly. Each row contains 2 strips. A shorter strip and a longer strip.

Follow the chart below to cut and label your white strip rows.

Row 2
4 1/2 x 4 1/2
4 1/2 x 8 1/2

Row 4
4 1/2 x 12 1/2
4 1/2 x 16 1/2

Row 6
4 1/2 x 20 1/2
4 1/2 x 24 1/2

Row 8
4 1/2 x 28 1/2
4 1/2 x 32 1/2

Row 10
4 1/2 x 36 1/2
4 1/2 x 40 1/2

Step 4 – Sew the Rows Together
This is assembled similar to a long cabin style block building outward. I’m calling each 90 degree angle a row alternating between colored and white. You will sew the shorter strip then the longer strip for each “row”.

Begin with row 1 and 2. Take your first colored block. Sew the shorter row 2 strip on. Press neatly toward the darker color.

Sew the longer row 2 white strip on. Press neatly towards darker color.

Continue to build outward by sewing on the shorter piece then the longer piece for each row. Alternate between colored strips and white strips. Press neatly towards the darker color.

Photo is row 3.

Step 5 – Create Border Strips
Cut five border strips 1 1/2 inches wide x the width of the fabric.

Piece together in to one long strip.

Step 6 – Attach Border Strips
Sew side border strips on leaving a little extra at the start and finish. Press neatly.

Trim to square up the corners.

Sew top and bottom border strips on leaving a little extra at the start and finish. Press neatly.

Trim to square up the corners.

Step 7 – Quilt
Quilt any way you like.

Enjoy your quilt!