Happy Freebie FRIDAY!!
Earlier this week I kicked off the Imagine Fabric Tour on Instagram and introduced my Over the Rainbow quilt.
This wonderful fabric line is Imagine by Kristy Lea of Quiet Play for Riley Blake Designs. This is Kristy's third collection - and I dare say, my favorite. It's full of color, whimsy + fun. When trying to decide what project to make so show off these gorgeous brights, I thought - what better than a rainbow?!
Over the Rainbow is a quilt tutorial I wrote years ago. I originally made it with April Showers by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.
I decided I wanted to recreate this pattern, offer a couple different options for sizes + borders, so that is what I am here to deliver today!
For those who are new, or have forgotten (cause it's been awhile), Friday Freebies are a mix of a tutorial that will be shared on my blog, along with a pdf pattern. Some are brand new patterns, some are patterns from when I used to make up quilt tutorials - before my official pattern days.
So, if you just want to skip straight to the pattern - you can!
If you want a little more explanation, tips and tricks (great for beginners) - you can!
So for those who just want the pattern... look no further.
Get Over the Rainbow Quilt Here
The Over the Rainbow Quilt is a quick strip piecing quilt + sashing/ borders. It's easy to adjust sizes just by adding more columns or more rows.
My original April Shower version is a Large Twin (Twin XL) and finishes approx. 70in x 96in.
My new Imagine Version is a Throw and finishes approx. 41in x 52in.
It is very precut friendly - in fact, you could use just about any precut you wanted - Jelly Roll to Charm Pack to Fat Eighth bundle.
The pattern fabric requirements show options for what I used for each size + yardage option. In the cutting instructions you will find more details of different types of precuts you can use and how much you would need.
While this pattern is very beginner friendly, my biggest advice for anyone attempting it is to GO SLOW.
When you are strip piecing it is easy to get going and pull or stretch and things get wonky fast. Nice even seams + straight cuts are what make this quilt pop!
Slow and steady is my suggestion and motto when working with long strips.
Now for the tips:
These next few photos are from my original post and will be showing the April Showers version of the quilt.
Tip #1: There are a few ways you can complete the strips. The cutting instructions are written for keeping your fabric selection in the longest WOF possible for that precut. For example in a fat eighth I tell you to cut your strips in 2.5in x 22in strips. Or for yardage you cut a 2.5in x WOF (42in) strips. BUT if you aren't comfortable with the long strips or are nervous you will push/pull the fabric while sewing longer strips - don't worry, just subcut your strips to the final size - 2.5in x 5in strips.
Also, I realize that sewing WOF strips, especially with Jelly Rolls or yardage x by the amount of rows each quilt has can get quite large and maybe tricky to cut straight after, so...
Tip #2: Sew long strips in sets of 10 rows, cut the rows into the 5in width, then sew the 5in x 10 row strips into your long 5in strips.
Tip #3: How to keep those columns lined up so that the rows are even. Let's be honest, even sometimes our best efforts require a seam ripper...
And that's okay! But a way you can mostly avoid this wonky mistake is start with a 5in print strip. Sew a sashing strip on the right side of the strip. Then when attaching the next 5in print strip, it will be RST and overlap a portion of the last 5in strip. you can line up those seams to keep it straight as you are sewing down and will be able to see if you are pull or shifting the row.
Tip #4: Pressing seams. Now, I suggest open seams on everything in this pattern - Is it necessary, no. But it's my preferred method to help line everything up. BUT, if you are not an open seam fan, you do you - just be consistent, it will help with keeping things straight and lined up.
Lastly, don't forget to finish up that quilt with a fun quilt tag from Ever Emblem. Choose from so many great options. I am partial to the cotton sew in tags! Use code: SIMPLY10 for 10% off your order!
Tag #simplymackbethquilts and #overtherainbowquilt to show everyone what fun combos you come up with!
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