Tula Pink Rainbow Waves Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Tula Pink Rainbow Waves Quilt Pattern – Downloadable PDF Summary

The Rainbow Waves Quilt is a stunning, large-scale quilt pattern designed by Stacey Day and released under the Tula Pink brand in association with Free Spirit Fabrics. This free downloadable PDF pattern combines two distinct construction methods — paper piecing and traditional piecing — to produce sweeping, fluid waves of color that ripple across the finished quilt surface. The design is rated Advanced in skill level, making it an ambitious and rewarding project for experienced quilters looking to challenge their precision and technique.

Finished Size

The completed quilt measures 80 inches by 96 inches (203.20 cm x 243.84 cm), making it a generous, full-sized quilt suitable for use as a bed quilt or a dramatic statement piece. Due to the complexity of the techniques involved, this is classified as a longer-term project, even for quilters working at an advanced skill level.

Design and Aesthetic

The Rainbow Waves design creates a sense of flowing color motion across the quilt surface, with waves of fabric shifting through a carefully curated palette of aquatic and luminous tones. The pattern is specifically designed to showcase the Zuma collection by Tula Pink, a fabric line that draws inspiration from oceanic themes and vibrant underwater color palettes. The interplay of the wave shapes with the bold, graphic prints of the Zuma collection gives the finished quilt an almost painterly, kinetic quality.

Techniques Used

• Paper Piecing (Foundation Paper Piecing): A precise quilting technique in which fabric pieces are sewn onto a printed paper foundation in a specific sequence. This method allows for highly accurate curved and angled shapes that would be difficult to achieve with traditional piecing alone. It is particularly well-suited to creating the smooth, flowing wave shapes central to this design.
• Traditional Piecing: Conventional quilt block construction using cut fabric pieces sewn together with a standard seam allowance. This technique is used alongside paper piecing to build out the overall quilt structure.
• Quilting: The final stage of assembling the quilt top, batting, and backing together through stitching, which adds texture, structure, and durability to the finished piece.

Fabric Requirements – Zuma by Tula Pink

The pattern calls for specific fabrics from the Zuma by Tula Pink collection, identified by their article codes. The recommended fabrics and yardages are as follows:

• (A) Sea Stallion Aqua Marine – Article Code PWTP119.AQUAM – ⅜ yard (34.29 cm)
• (B) Sea Stallion Glow Fish – Article Code PWTP119.GLOWF – ⅜ yard (34.29 cm)
• (C) Sea Stallion Sea Glass – Article Code PWTP119.SEAGL – ⅔ yard (60.96 cm)
• (D) Sea Bloom Aqua Marine – Article Code PWTP120.AQUAM – ¼ yard (22.86 cm)
• (E) Sea Bloom Glow Fish – Article Code PWTP120.GLOWF – ¼ yard (22.86 cm)
• (F) Sea Bloom Sea Glass – Article Code PWTP120.SEAGL – ¾ yard (68.58 cm)

Materials Overview

As with all quilting projects, completing the Rainbow Waves Quilt will require standard quilting supplies in addition to the listed fabrics. Quilters should have access to a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, and self-healing cutting mat for accurate fabric cutting. A sewing machine capable of precise straight stitching is essential, particularly for the paper piecing sections where accuracy is critical. Paper piecing foundation sheets will be needed for the paper-pieced wave units, and a quilting needle appropriate for the chosen thread weight should be used during the final quilting stage. Backing fabric, batting, and binding materials will also be