And you’re off! Nothing like a New Year to challenge yourself and dive into a new quilting challenge! The Mouse Trap Block of the Month quilt along is here to help you do just that! Kicking the quilty fun off is the Rainbow block.
I’m starting the Mouse Trap block of the Month Quilt Along with a bang! I know that piecing curves isn’t everyone’s favourite, so I thought we’d get the hard stuff out of the way right off the bat!
Plus, learning how to piece curves together really ups your piecing game, which will set you up nicely for the future blocks still to come 😉
Today I’m covering:
- The story behind the Rainbow quilt block
- Composition play to be had
- Quilting technique featured
- Materials required
- Top Tips
- Caution
- Monthly giveaway details
Let’s dive in!
The Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern is available for instant download!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.
Story Behind the Rainbow Quilt Block
The Rainbow block came to be out of my own creative play! It’s been a few years now that I’ve been sneaking in some drawing time in the mornings. It’s such a lovely and calm way to start the day. And it’s led to the creation of some really fun motifs.
What I love about rainbows is that they represent hope and colour – ha! In the last several years, I’ve been lucky enough to witness a few double rainbows and also a rainbow that showed the entire arc. That was quite fascinating to see.
So, this cutie of a modern block is intended to bring joy to your quilt and remind you that hope can be found when we least expect it!
Composition Play
The Rainbow block is such a fun design to have in your quilty back pocket. The curves help you add a softened organic feel to your quilt composition.
Those gentle curves allow you to break up the angularity of the other block designs and encourage flow through your layout.
Remember to play around with the block layout as it’s shown in the pattern and the reverse/rotated options. Adding these types of variations to your quilt will lead to more intrigue and a unique to you layout!
Quilting Technique Featured
The quilting technique featured in the Rainbow block is the classic Drunkard’s Path quilt block. If you’ve made the Lunar Eclipse quilt, then you’ll have a solid base to jump off from.
The challenge here is that I’ve incorporated some skinny curves in the block. This is fun from a design perspective as it adds lots of detail and interest to your quilt. But getting those curves to line up and avoid the wonk is where things can get tricky!
Materials & Notions
Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to stitch up the Rainbow quilt block:
- Rainbow quilt block pattern – part of the Mouse Trap Quilt Pattern
- Rainbow acrylic templates from the Mouse Trap Acrylic Ruler Set (optional)
- Fabrics in colours:
- Piecing thread
- Sewing machine
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter with these blades
- Rotary cutter for paper templates
- Scissors for paper cutting
- Ruler – long
- Ruler – short
- Small scissors
- Pin cushion
- Pins
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat – Use code SHANNONFRASERBOM2025 to save 15% on your entire purchase at The Felt Store Canada or The Felt Store USA. One use per customer, offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Expires June 30, 2025.
- Spray bottle
- Erasable marking tool
To make the original pattern cover version you can find the exact kit featuring the same AGF Pure Solids in this quilt kit from Sew Curated.
Get the AGF Pure Solids dupes from Sew Curated for the colours I’ll be stitching my Mouse Trap quilt in 2025.
Top Tips
This probably sounds familiar as I know I say this quite a bit, but it’s because it’s true – the more you practice sewing curves, the easier it gets. I promise!
If I think back to the first curve I ever pieced, it was quite the learning experience – ha! You can see that one here.
Over the years, I’ve stitched up my fair share of curvy blocks and these are my top tips:
Cut accurately
I know, it goes without saying that you need to start with properly cut pieces, but when you’re joining pieces with so much bias edge, it makes it that much easier when your pieces are cut to the proper starting size. The Mouse Trap acrylic templates help immensely with accurate cutting!
Pins are your friend
While I love piecing my curves without pins, that’s not where I started. I think there’s a huge merit to learning how to sew curves with pins. It allows you to ‘see’ how the pieces are going to be joined, and it keeps things tidy and organized at the machine. Once you’ve gotten comfortable piecing curves with pins, you can try omitting them and seeing what difference that makes!
Pressing matters
Be mindful not to iron your curves, you want to press them instead. What’s the difference?! Ironing is that back-and-forth motion you do when ironing your clothes. Pressing involves placing your iron, letting it do its thing for a few seconds, then lifting the iron up and placing it back down in a new spot. This helps prevent your fabric from shifting and stretching on you. A wool pressing mat can help keep your pieces from stretching out too! This tip goes double if you’re working with linen or wovens, as they like to stretch out on you even more.
Relax
I know, I know, all those bias edges and pins, and it’s instant quilty stress! A key to nailing quilting techniques is relaxing into the stitching and having confidence in yourself. The more I say that I can do it, the more I can do it! Try it and see how your mindset impacts your quilty play 😊
Caution
Things can get wonky really quickly with the Rainbow quilt block. Be careful that you’re not pulling or tugging on your fabric as you piece and press your block. Those bias edges like to stretch out on you, which will make it more difficult for you to keep the block alignment on track.
My top tip here is to be gentle and use a light touch!
January 2025 Mouse Trap BOM Giveaway
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your quilting results and enjoyment! This is why I reached out to Lisa from Sew Curated to give you the chance to win a bag of sewing goodies that includes (1) seam ripper, (1) hera marker, (1) Sew Fine Thread Gloss, and (1) enamel pin.
To enter the giveaway, you must:
- Be following @sewcurated and @shannonfraserdesigns on Instagram.
- Post a photo on Instagram of your Rainbow block between January 15, 2025, and February 14, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
- Instagram account must be public.
- Tag @sewcurated and @shannonfraserdesigns
- Include the hashtags #MouseTrapBOM #MouseTrapQuilt
This month’s giveaway is open internationally.
The winner is to be announced in the February 15, 2025, Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter!
The Rainbow block is such a fun one to see come to life! It takes a minute, but well worth the effort to see those pretty curves take shape. I look forward to seeing yours pop up on the ‘gram or in our Facebook group.
If you haven’t already, be sure to get your Mouse Trap BOM Quilt Pattern and sign up for the Mouse Trap BOM Newsletter so you don’t miss any of the quilt-along details 😊 For added help, take the optional Mouse Trap Course to see how each of the quilt blocks is made!
Happy stitching!
xo
Shannon
PS Don’t forget to share your Rainbow quilt block on the ‘gram to be entered into the giveaway!
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Would using some light weight spray starch on each piece before cutting help in reducing unwanted bias stretch? or do I need a little stretch just to get it around the bend?
I don’t use spray starch in my quilting, but you can absolutely give that a go, Cynthia! It will add a little more structure to your fabric and should help prevent some of that stretch. A light weight spray starch (instead of a super strong hold) is probably your best bet.