I’ve been thinking of making an Irish Chain quilt. Have you ever made one?
I was scrolling through Instagram yesterday and saw a clip from Gina Tell, a long-arm quilter who quilts a lot for Kimberly Jolly of the Fat Quarter Shop. She had just finished quilting the quilt in the pattern above, and posted on it. I was immediately taken with it, mainly because of the striking design, of course, but also because I have a ton of a very similar Thimble Blossoms fabric collection left over. The collection on the pattern cover is Dwell, and the one I have on hand is Rosemary Cottage, but they are very similar.
Curious about the pattern, I Googled it and learned that the name “Irish Chain” comes from the quilt’s distinctive visual effect: a series of linked squares that form continuous diagonal lines across the quilt, resembling a chain. These Irish Chain designs can be quite simple or complex. I found a couple of patterns on Fat Quarter Shop, including the Nesting pattern above.
Here is Remix Chain, a simple pattern, free on the FQS website.
This pattern is called It Takes 2, and I like the alternate block that adds so much interest to the design.
But what is so “Irish” about it? Apparently, nothing. There is no evidence that the pattern originated in Ireland. At the time the quilt became popular (mid-1800s), there were many Irish immigrants in the United States, and naming traditions often drew on cultures or places that were important to the quiltmakers.
So, what do you think? Do you like the Irish Chain pattern and its variations? I am really leaning towards making one!
7 Responses
I have wanted to make one for several years after seeing one in a vendors booth in Paducah. I bought the navy background and pattern that day intending to use a fat quarter bundle for the chain. It was by a known designer maybe Fons and Porter.
Still love the quilt.
I always admire them but have not made one YET!!😀 maybe next?
I love chains. Deanna from Wedding Dress Blue made Irish Stars – I’ve done most, just decided to put it on point so not yet completed. I did small 9 patches that made a big 9 patch with Ohio stars in the centre and that is waiting to be quilted. They are all such nice patterns – I don’t think I’ve seen one that I didn’t like.
Hello Nicole! You have been so busy and I have been enjoying your blogs this past couple of weeks. Oh, I do love an Irish Chain quilt and I have made several. They are great scrap-busting quilts, for sure. I am busy this week helping my local quilt guild get ready for our quilt show next weekend – exciting times!
I feel that the Irish Chain patterns really took hold when rotary cutting and strip piecing did. It was a fast and easy way to use a variety of fabrics in a structured design. So much easier than cutting all those individual pieces, just making fabric “sets” instead. Pretty sure my first Quilt in a Day/Eleanor Burns pattern was an Irish chain.
The Triple Irish Chain (your top pic) has always been a favorite of mine. I’ve made two. The 1st vintage quilt I bought was also a Triple Irish Chain.
I like the variations more; too much white space for me to fill otherwise. I’ve seen the one with stars and I like the It Takes 2 pattern. You certainly should make one!