Thursday, May 30, 2013

A Lotta Nines (Quick Irish Chain Tutorial)

 I love a quilt that comes together fast!  This one is 75"x 90" and only took two evenings' work!  If you've never made an Irish Chain before, they are REALLY simple!  There is a great video tutorial out there using jelly rolls.  I made mine using a fat eighth bundle of Glimma by Lotta Jansdotter (I get almost all my bundles from Amanda at Westwood Acres) and some Kona White.  For my method you will need:
  • 50 strips measuring 3"x21" (I got 60 from my FE bundle, so I just discarded 10)
  • 156" (4.5 yards) of neutral background fabric
    • cut (20) 3"xWOF pieces, then cut those in half to get (40) 3"x21" strips
    • cut (12) 8" x WOF strips, then cut each strip into (5) 8" squares for a total of (60) 8" squares
Make 20 strip sets that are print-neutral-print (p-n-p) and 10 sets that are neutral-print-neutral (n-p-n).  Press all seams open.  If you want to make a different size, just remember you will need double the number of (p-n-p) sets.  So if you make 30 p-n-p sets, you will need 15 n-p-n sets.


Cut each p-n-p and n-p-n strip into (6) 3" set.  You should now have (120) 3" p-n-p sets and (60) 3" n-p-n sets.  Randomly sew two p-n-p and one n-p-n together, with the n-p-n in the middle to make (60) 9 patch blocks.  Press all seams open.  If you make alternate sizes, remember you will always need equal numbers of 9 patch blocks and neutral 8" squares. 

Then, just alternate 8" neutral squares with your 9 patch blocks.  Voila! Super quick and easy Irish Chain quilt!

I have to thank my friend Stephanie for coming up with the clever title to my post! Thanks girl!


18 comments:

Jackie Russell said...

Cute quilt!

Gunilla said...

This was just gorgeous! Think I fell in love with Glimma as well, it hasn't caught my eye or heart before, but this.... ! Love the layout, the colors.... Well all of it!!!

giddy99 said...

That's brilliant! I'm tagging this for future reference!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Love it; I would get it really grubby, really quickly, but I still love it!

Katy Cameron said...

Excellent, and thanks for the tips!

Jessica said...

This is so pretty! Definitely going to try this :)

Nilya said...

Such a lovely quilt - love the light Colors here!

Jodi Godfrey said...

This is beautiful Kelly! I've been thinking about the old irish chain lately. Might have to put it on my list!

Jessica said...

This pattern has been on my to do list since I first saw it, thanks for the tutorial. Your quilt is lovely, beautiful colours!

Jésabelle B. said...

I'm trying this for sure! It looks awesome!

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

just found this on pinterest, thanks for the instructions (-:

Brenda said...

Very clear concise instructions! Would love to do this with strips from my purple stash!

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Really love how the Glimma works in this, beautiful quilt top!

Katie B said...

I'm in love with this one, Kelly! And I feel kind of like a dunce that I never realized how simple an Irish chain could be!

prsd4tim2 said...

Love the quilt, Kelly, but especially your method. I've been struggling with the Irish Chain for years. You make it so do-able. Thanks!

Amanda ~ A Crafty Fox said...

This is GORGEOUS!!! You are freaking amazing!

Amanda ~ A Crafty Fox said...

This is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Brenda said...

I love your quilt! Thanks for sharing a wonderful pattern and tutorial! I will be making this for sure. Have a great day!

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