Repair Quilt - Scrappy Rainbow Version
If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete.
— Rabbi Tsvi Freedman
Design Inspiration
Back in 2021, I’d unfortunately fallen into a rather dark and hopeless place. It felt like the world was crumbling around me, and what was there for me to do about it? In a desperate and simultaneously serendipitous moment, I learned more about the concept in Judaism known as tikkun olam, which translates from Hebrew to “repair the world.”
In particular, I learned about a Kabbalistic origin story that tells of God filling glass vessels with sacred light and sending them around the world. Unable to hold its power, the vessels shattered, with the scattered pieces trapping some of this holy energy. The belief is that it is our duty to restore the world by seeking out and gathering these shards of glass holding this divine light. A beautiful story that encourages us to find perfect beauty - even in imperfect & unlikely places - and use it to heal ourselves and others.
The term tikkun olam is used today to reference the calling of each individual to help make society more just and peaceful through tzedakah (justice and righteousness) and g'milut hasadim (acts of loving kindness). Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each of us to mend what is broken in our world, in whatever big or small ways we can. Having grown up with many Jewish influences, I wanted the Repair design to honor this healing message, and to celebrate those of this culture who’ve modeled this love & constructive optimism for me.
Complete the bundle with the Six-Color Repair quilt pattern for just $6 more (both patterns for $20)! Discount taken at checkout.
Use code HRTBUNDLE at checkout to save $10 when you buy the Repair pattern and the Mastering HRTs workshop together!
About the design.
The Repair design is inspired by a concept in certain cultures that emphasizes creating beauty from what is broken. Specifically, this idea is illustrated in Japanese culture through the stunning artform of Kintsugi—also known as kintsukuroi, which translates to “golden repair”—and in Judaism through tikkun olam—Hebrew for “repair the world.” That we can choose to see brokenness as opportunity is a wonderfully healing thought, it only requires the vision to see what’s possible to make from the broken pieces. On an individual level, we can use our imperfections & fractured past to be relatable, compassionate and resilient; on a societal level, we can find purpose & fulfillment in making the world more peaceful, just and kind through our everyday actions.
This dynamic quilt offers plenty of opportunity for color play, and makes for a great introduction to half-rectangle triangles (HRTs)! True to its inspiration, the Repair block was originally designed to have improv-cut or “wonky” units. This “imperfect” approach makes for a fun and carefree sewing with a unique, quirky final look.
Learn more about the Repair samples pictured.
More about the Super Scrappy Repair the pattern.
Skill Level: Confident beginner
Instructions for throw, full, and king size quilts included
Throw size is fat quarter friendly
Cutting diagrams to minimize waste, streamline cuts, and help you get sewing sooner
Large block sizes & standard, efficient construction make this quilt a quick finish
Coloring sheet to help get you started, with sample mockups for inspiration; plus, plan your quilt on PreQuilt!
Downloadable PDF
For online shops interested in selling this PDF pattern, please see the Pattern Licensing Page for more information.
Maker credit:
GeoBloom sample pieced and quilted by Chelsea LeBouton
Samples feature quilting by Wild Phil Quilting
Details & Techniques
This scrap, FQ, and yardage-friendly pattern offers endless layout options in three different sizes. You can also turn your Repair block into a quilted tote bag using this tutorial on the blog!
True to its inspiration, the Repair block was originally designed to have improv-cut or “wonky” units. This “imperfect” block style is an option for fun and carefree sewing with a unique, quirky final look.
This pattern features half-rectangle triangles (HRTs)…a fun and versatile technique to master. If you’d like a bit of extra guidance, we offer an HRT workshop to help you perfect your skills!
Want to color your own version? Create your own mockups of the Repair quilt on PreQuilt!
Fabrics
While I originally designed the Repair quilt to have a background, I couldn’t resist mixing things up and adding a “super scrappy” variation. Fat quarter friendly and using 16 colors, this version allows for a lot of color play - which meant quite a bit of auditioning of fabrics. I was determined to use what was already in my stash, and finally pulled together what I thought was a rainbow-like (but not TOO rainbow-y) fabric pull that would create the movement and dimension I was looking for.
The quilt top is all Kona Cotton Solids:
The backing is Ruby Star Society Moonrise Dream in Indigo from Alexia Abegg’s Moonrise collection. I was immediately drawn to the hopeful, folksy, and sort of mystic look of this print and thought it paired so nicely with the optimism of the Repair design inspiration.
Binding is chambray fabric that I found at a local fabric warehouse. Silly story: I remember ironing strips of this fabric to make the binding and it releasing a nostalgic smell that reminded me of my grandmother’s house. Funny how heat applied to fabric can transport us like that…
Be sure to check out the Scrappy Happy Day, Scrappy Thrive, Aviary Meadow, and Spring Moss versions of this pattern for more inspiration!
Quilting
This quilt was longarmed by Wild Phil Quilting using the Arris pantograph by Jessica Schick. Its sharp & jagged lines really add a “broken” texture and further emphasize the shards of glass origin story of the design.
Tools Used
Machine: Bernina 475QE
Piecing thread: Gutermann Sew All thread
Batting: Pellon White Cotton Batting
Olfa 45mm rotary cutter & rotary mat
Adobe Illustrator for trusty mockups :)
