Two-Color Irish Chain Quilt-Along: Week 8

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I can't believe it's the last week of our Quilt-Along!
It's been so fun seeing everyone's Irish Chain Quilts.  I love the adaptability of 
this pattern.  Whether you did two-colors or scrappy, strip piecing or good ol' traditional piecing, 
this pattern is classic and I hope you will love your quilt for many years to come.


This week's assignment is to finally sew all the blocks together and piece the back.

TWIN:
7 X 9 block layout



QUEEN:
9 X 9 block layout


Quilt Top Assembly:
For the twin quilt - sew together 5 rows made up of  4 Checkerboard Blocks and 3 Alternate Blocks each, starting and ending with the Checkerboard Blocks.  Then sew together 4 rows made up of  4 Alternate Blocks and 3 Checkerboard Blocks each, starting and ending with the Alternate Blocks.  Press all the seam allowances toward the Alternate Blocks.  Sew all the rows together (alternating) according to the twin quilt image above.  Press the seam allowances open.

For the queen quilt - sew together 5 rows made up of  5 Checkerboard Blocks and 4 Alternate Blocks each, starting and ending with the Checkerboard Blocks.  Then sew together 4 rows made up of  5 Alternate Blocks and 4 Checkerboard Blocks each, starting and ending with the Alternate Blocks.  Press all the seam allowances toward the Alternate Blocks.  Sew all the rows together (alternating) according to the queen quilt image above.  Press the seam allowances open. 

Note: Make sure the large rectangles in the Alternate Blocks are all going horizontal.


And voila!  Your Irish Chain quilt top is done!!!  
Pat yourself on the back and do a little happy dance!


These aren't great pictures, but here's mine! 


Now that your quilt top is done may I recommend pre-washing your backing fabric?  
We don't want any bleeding so consider washing and pressing it before piecing the back.
I am using this Cotton + Steel Rifle Paper Company Wildwood Peonies in Navy.  I hit up 3 fabric stores with no luck but the moment I walked into the fourth store and saw this, I knew it was the one.


Piece the Back:
For the Twin quilt - 
Cut 5 1/2 yards in half to create 2 pieces that measure approximately 40" x 99" each.
Trim the selvages.  With RST, sew the pieces together along the long edges.  
Press the seam allowances in one direction.  

For the Queen quilt - 
Cut 8 1/4 yards into 3 pieces that measure approximately 40" x 99" each.
Trim the selvages.  With RST, sew the pieces together along the long edges.  
Press the seam allowances in one direction.  


The back of the quilt needs to be 3-4" bigger than your quilt top on each side if you're 
going to have it professionally long-arm quilted.

Now it's time to start thinking about how you're going to quilt it!  Mine is being quilted 
right now.  I asked my quilter to do horizontal straight lines 1" apart and then I'm going to 
look at it (and see how much that cost) before deciding if I want her to do more straight 
lines the other direction to create a crosshatch.  I love crosshatching but my quilter 
was a little concerned about getting all the lines completely perpendicular and I'm concerned 
about the cost since that is basically like quilting it TWICE!  So we shall see!
How are you going to quilt yours?

Once your quilt is quilted, bind it.  For the twin quilt, you will need 9 strips, 2 1/2" x 40" each 
and for the queen quilt, you will need 10 strips, 2 1/2" x 40" each.  I have a tutorial saved in my "highlights" on Instagram with all the details on how I do my bindings.  I need to update my tutorial here on the blog so look for that soon!

Well, this is basically the end of our Quilt-Along.  
I will be back soon with pictures of my finished quilt soon though.  
Please let me know if you have any questions and please, please share your finished quilt with me on Instagram using the hashtag #irishchainqal and tag me @gigis_thimble.  I can't wait to see yours!
Thank you so much for all your kind messages throughout the QAL.  I'm so glad you were along for the ride!

16 comments:

  1. WOW! Your quilt is beautiful. This one is on my list to make. I have read your directions each week and they are clear and concise. Thank you for this project.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear the instructions were clear and concise! The condensed, printable instructions will be posted tomorrow, along with my finished quilt. Thank you, thank you for all your kind words!

      Amber

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  2. It looks awesome!

    My top is finished...I think. I did a variation from your pattern, so it's 50 x 70 (I wanted a large throw) but now I'm debating whether I want a border on it. I always struggle with whether it's "Okay" to NOT put a border on a quilt (weird thing on my part).

    I had planned on a minky backing, but my local gal refuses to quilt with minky, so now I have to ship it out, but I have no idea to who or where GAH! lol

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    1. All the favorite quilts around here are backed with minky...so it will be worth it! DM or email me and I can give you some names of quilters if you want.

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  3. Beautiful, thank you! That backing is really lovely too.

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  4. I have loved this quilt along!!! Not so overwhelming that if I fell behind I was done for, doable steps, and I love the traditional quilt pattern. I look forward to this each week :)
    Deb

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  5. I was waiting to see how you were having yours quilted. I checked with my quilter and she was charging twice the amount, too. I love the backing you found. What shop did you find yours. I am in Utah, too. It would be perfect for my Meadowland quilt.

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    1. Hey there! I actually ordered mine off Etsy because the store I found it in here in Utah (Pine Needles at Gardner Village) only had the canvas kind. I figured there must be some in cotton so I searched for it on Etsy and ordered it through AACottonCreations.

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  6. Beautiful!!!! I didn't had the time to join you in this quilt along, maybe next time.
    Congratulations!!!!!!
    Bernardita Corvillón

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  7. This was my first QAL and I didn’t even know there was such a thing !! But, now that I do I can’t wait for your next one ! It inspired me back to sewing & to my machine! Thank you Amber for all your effort & kindness 💚

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    1. That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for your kind words and happy sewing!
      Amber

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  8. I’m late for the sew along, but I made myself finish a UFO before I started something new. I’m thinking navy and white. I like larger quilts to allow for a pillow tuck, so I’m going to get extra fabric and make it 9 x 11 blocks. I’m thinking of having it quilted in a bishop’s fan pattern since I haven’t done one of those before. Thanks for providing this! Can’t wait to see yours all finished.

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    1. You're welcome! And the printable instructions are posting tomorrow (along with pictures of my finished quilt) so come back soon. Navy and white will be amazing. I would love one in those colors too. Also, I considered using a baptist fan for the quilting. That's always a favorite of mine!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Amber

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I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber