After finishing up another Framed baby quilt, I had several squares leftover that I wanted to use for a second rainbow quilt. This rainbow HST (half square triangle) quilt came together in just one day. You, too, can make one quickly with scraps or even a layer cake.
Rainbow HST Quilt
measures 33″ x 46″
7″ block
Materials Needed:
18 layer cake squares or scraps, cut into 7.5″ squares (I used six colors of scraps, three different prints in each color)
1 yard background fabric, cut into 7.5″ strips, then into 18 7.5″ squares
1/3 yard for binding, cut into 2.5″ strips
1 1/2 yards for backing (for 42″ wide fabric) or 1 1/4 if using minky
45″ x 60″ packaged batting
Place a colored square and background square right sides together (RST). Draw a line from one corner to another with a water soluble marker. Pin the squares together.
Sew a 1/4″ seam on both sides of the line.
Cut the squares on the line so that you have two triangles.
Iron the triangles open to make a square again. The seam should be pressed towards the colored fabric.
Trim the squares to measure 7″. If you have a Shape Cut Ruler
Lay your squares onto a design board to help you rearrange them as needed.
Sew the squares together with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Iron the rows in opposite directions so that the seams nest together.
If you need help with joining the top with batting and backing and binding, you can check out my post about that here where it says “Finishing the Quilt”.
I sent my quilt off to Abby Latimer for professional quilting. She used Modern Twist for the quilting. I love that it keeps the quilt gender neutral.
Where can I purchase the heart quilt pattern. I love it and would like to make one.
Thanks for your help with this!
Do you mean the one I made my mother in law? That is a Tula Pink Paper Hearts pattern that is found in the Sew Red book. I believe there are other heart patterns available online though.
what kind of machine would you recommend for someone getting in making quilts? Also what kind of sewing machine do you have?
I have a Viking Sapphire 835. I really like it and have considered buying a second one. I got it off ebay for $600 a few years ago. Before that I had a Pfaff. It was a good machine but I didn’t like it for quilting. You will want something that has a wide throat space to make quilting easier. You will also want to invest in a walking foot. It makes a huge difference. That should run about $100.
One of my girls want me to do a baby rain bow quilt in solid colors. She especially like the fact that you chose to do the quilting with a coordinating color thread. Was the quilt shown with the orange and white square a different quilt then the one above and if so could I see a picture of that quilt.
Mary, this is my friend’s quilt and she is in a different state. The photos here are all I have of it.