This is the next project - a pretty top but no new techniques to learn with this one. This can be made scrappy, as in the picture, or using a single fabric for the blocks and a contrast for the chain. I've gone for the scrappy option. The difference with this top compared to previous Irish chain quilts I've made, is this one is set on point so will require side setting triangles
As usual, we start with the smallest unit and build from there. The technique for making the chain can be a little tedious -well for me anyway, but then I prefer to quilt rather than piece :).
Step 1 - sew a dozen of these..........
Step 2 - cross-cut them into 336 of these..........
..........then press & measure each one - trim if required
Step 3 - top 'n tail and sew them together to make 168 of these.........
Step 4 - Press, starch and fan the seams...........
Step 5 - measure each one individually and trim to exactly 2.5" square..........
no matter how careful I am with cutting, sewing and pressing - I always need to trim every single one :(
168 four patches - sewn, pressed & trimmed
Step 6 - cut 3 strips of cream fabric and sew the half the four patches to them..........
Step 7 - cut, press, measure & trim to size..........
Step 8 - sew the other half of the four patches to the other side..........
Step 9 - press, measure and trim again - now we have 84 of these..........
Those are the 1 inch 'chains' done. I've opted to make the linking chain in a slightly darker blue.
Step 10 - Make strips for the linking chain (press, measure & trim) then cross-cut into 42 segments..........
almost there..........
Step 11 - sew two of the sections together - press, measure & trim
Step 12 - Now sew the other half on, a final starch & press, then measure & trim as required..........
Yay - the Irish Chain is done!
For the scrappy blocks, I selected brown. Yup, brown.
Scraps, skinny 8th's and fat quarters will all contribute to this quilt. There will be thirty different fabrics and shades of brown. Most of the browns are reproduction fabrics, so together with the classic cream and blue irish chain, I should end up with a very nice quilt!
I chose brown because my favourite quilt is this one which I made from QA Vol 1..............
Asian Nights
I use this one all the time - it has a wool batting and is lovely to snuggle into. The current project also in brown/cream/blue will be a nice companion for it and hopefully share around the wear & tear.
