Tonga Confetti–Rainbow Connection
Quilt designed by Osie Lebowitz
Photo: D. James Dee
Finished quilt: 60" x 72" • Finished block: 131⁄2"
4A
3A
4B
2A
22
3B
21
20
2B
1A
19
2B
18
17
16
B
1B
15
14
13
12
fig. 2
13
13
12
1
2
11
11
10
10
9
8
7
6
4
3
2
1
4
5B
3
2
5
1
14
14
5
4B
14“
3B
14“
1B
2B
fig. 3
1A
15
15
6A
16
16
6B
7A
7B
8A
11
Quilt Top Assembly
7. Refer to the quilt photo and lay out the quilt center with four
blocks across and five rows down, alternating block direction
as shown.
Continue
Continue
adding
ccolor
olor
shap
shapes.
es.
5A
23
Block Construction
1. Arrange the Tonga Confetti shapes in a pleasing color order,
referring to the quilt photo for guidance. Number the color
stacks from 1 to 30 to keep them in order as you work.
2. Following figure 1, sew the short
edge of a color 1 shape to the long edge
2A
of another color 1 shape. Add color 2
to the upper edge, followed by another
1A
color 2 perpendicular to the first shape,
forming a braided pattern. Press the
1B
SSeam
eam 1
seam allowances in one direction after
each addition.
fig. 1
3. Continue adding colors in numerical
order. When you reach color 30, begin
again with color 1. Repeat the color
braiding process until you’ve used all the colored shapes to make
four color repeats.
4. Trim the beginning of the braid at right angles to the long
edges at the inside angle. (figure 2)
5. Sew five 21⁄2" Tonga-B7800 Grape strips together end to end.
Starting at the trimmed braid end, sew a sashing strip to each
braid long edge. To help prevent stretching, sew with the sashing
strip up. Press the seam allowances toward the sashing. Trim the
original end to square if needed.
6. Measure the width of the sashed braid to double-check the
14" width. If that’s not the size, note the new number as your
cut block size. Beginning at the square end, cut the sashed braid
strip into twenty equal blocks. (figure 3)
5A
Cutting
Trace the template shape onto the template material and
cut out.
From each 1/6 yard of Tonga Confetti prints:
Cut two 21⁄2" x width-of-fabric (WOF) strips. Sub-cut eight
shapes of each color using the template.
From the Tonga-B7800 Grape:
Cut sixteen 21⁄2" strips along the fabric length.
Finishing
11. Layer the quilt top, batting and backing and quilt as
desired.
12. Sew the remaining 21⁄2" Tonga-B7800 Grape strips together
end to end using diagonal seams. Fold and press the strip in half
lengthwise with wrong sides together. Stitch to the quilt front,
matching raw edges and mitering the corners.
13. Fold the binding to the quilt underside and hand-stitch the
folded edge to the quilt back.
4A
Helpful Hints
• To control bias seams in this project, press the fabric with
sizing or spray-starch before cutting.
• Tonga Batiks can be used with either side of the fabric as
the right side, so no need to cut any pieces reversed for this
quilt design. If you substitute another type of fabric, you’ll
need to cut half the shapes in reverse for braided piecing.
3A
Other Supplies
Template material 3" x 9"
8. Sew the blocks together in rows. Sew the rows together.
9. Measure the quilt center width and cut two 21⁄2" TongaB7800 Grape strips that length. Sew one border to the top and
one to the bottom of the quilt center.
10. Measure the quilt center length and cut two 21⁄2" TongaB7800 Grape strips that length. Sew one border to each side of
the quilt center.
2A
Fabric Requirements
1/6 yard each of thirty Tonga Confetti prints
21⁄8 yards of Tonga-B7800 Grape (sashing, border, binding)
2 yards of XTonga-B7856 Lagoon (backing)
as
bi
Rainbow Connection
Template
©2012 Osie Lebowitz
Permission is granted to shop owners and teachers to make copies
for promotional or educational purposes only.
This pattern may not be reproduced for commercial purposes
(i.e., may not be sold).
This pattern may not be reproduced for ANY PURPOSE after
February 15, 2013.
Tonga–B9392 Plum
Tonga–B2178 Eggplant
Tonga–B9121 Grape
Tonga–B9391 Ruby
Tonga–B9388 Peony
Tonga–B9389 Chili
Tonga–B9388 Fire
Tonga–B9387 Punch Tonga–B6907 Orange
Tonga–B9102 Pink
Tonga–B8405 Lipstick
Tonga–B9390 Red
Tonga–B2178 Tangerine
Tonga–B9386 Flame
Tonga–B8780
Goldfish
Tonga–B9379 Sun
Tonga–B9386 Neon
Tonga–B9385 Citron
Tonga–B8402 Lime
Tonga–B9383
Parakeet
Tonga–B9378 Green
Tonga–B9382 Grass
Tonga–B7796 Kelly
Tonga–B9376 Tropical
Tonga–B4797 Teal
Tonga–B9380 Ocean
Tonga–B9384
Sour Apple
Tonga–B9381 Jade
Tonga–B9379
Sapphire
Tonga–B9378 Cobalt
All Fabrics Shown 25% of Actual Size.
Tonga–B7800 Grape
483-485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 • Phone: 212-226-1400 • Fax: 212-925-4180 • www.ttfabrics.com • http://sewtimeless.net