Scrap Snap Top--Rainbow Cascade

Some quilts have minds of their own and insist on your attention, don't they? That was the case with my Scrap Snap project. What was originally planned as a slow-paced monthly color progression quickly turned into an obsession where I couldn't wait to make my next set of blocks. 

Unfortunately, I don't remember where I first saw some blocks posted for the Scrap Snap Quilt-Along. The QAL had started in January and was set up as a monthly project with 10 blocks to be made each month. Kari, the hostess of the QAL, had shared several ideas for different ways to use the blocks. Her rainbow versions were very appealing as a possible project for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This was my favorite of her designs.

Scrap Snap layout idea by Kari

at Quilts for the Making

I started the Scrap Snap QAL around mid-May. That meant I was already four months behind! As a regular participant in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I began with a set of blocks in greens, which was our assigned color for May. Here is my first set of ten blocks.

Scrap Snap blocks, 6" finished size

I decided to go back and make blocks in some of the RSC colors from earlier in the year. In less than a week I had four sets of blocks done (did I mention yet how super easy these blocks are to make?)

By the middle of June, I had finished blocks in nine different colors. My plan was to add black/grey blocks like Kari's design option at the top of this post, but to set my blocks in a stairstep layout like the above photo. I made 24 whole blocks in blacks and greys, plus 12 partial blocks. This photo gives a better idea of how I used the partial blocks.

Once all the blocks were made, they went up on the design wall. Then I started sewing them together into columns. After that, the long columns were all joined together to become this finished quilt top!

Rainbow Cascade quilt top

60.5" x 72.5"

When I shared an in-progress photo recently, Nann who blogs at With Strings Attached commented on my "cascade arrangement." I liked that so much that I've named the quilt Rainbow Cascade. Thanks for the idea Nann! Many, many thanks to Kari at Quilts for the Making for this wonderful QAL inspiration. I may not have stuck to the plan of quilting along all year, but I'm thrilled with the finished result!

Linking up with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA