IRISH CHAIN

Now that you've mastered the method, combine your bold blocks to whip up a modern quilt design

YOU WILL NEED

For the whole quilt

■ White: 2¾yds

■ Silver: ¾yd

■ Medium grey: 1yd

■ Steel: 1yd

■ Charcoal: ¾yd

■ Black: ¼yd

■ Pink: ½yd

■ Backing fabric: 4½yds

■ Batting: 76in square

■ Binding fabric: / yd

FINISHED SIZE

■ 72in square

NOTES

■ Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted.

■ WOF = width of fabric.

■ Fabrics provided by Robert Kaufman (robertkaufman.com)

FABRICS USED

All fabrics are Kona Cotton Solids in White, Silver (lightest grey), Medium Grey, Steel (dark grey), Charcoal (darkest grey), Black and Pomegranate (pink), by Robert Kaufman.

CUTTING OUT

From the white fabric cut the following:

1

■ Five (5) 3½in x WOF strips. Subcut into fifty two (52) 3½in squares. Twelve (12) for Block 1 and forty (40) for Block 5.

■ Two (2) 3#/ in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixteen (16) 3#/ in x 4½in rectangles. All for Block 2. ■ Six (6) 1 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into one hundred and twenty (120) 1 / in squares. Forty eight (48) for Block 2 and seventy two (72) for Block 3.

■ Two (2) 4½in x WOF strips. Subcut the into twelve 12) 4½in squares. All for Block 3.

■ Three (3) 7in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixteen (16) 7in squares. Six (6) for Block 3 and ten (10) Block 5. Subcut the

strips. Subcut into one twenty (120) 1 / in squares. Block 2 and seventy

strips. Subcut the 12) 4½in squares.

strips. Subcut into squares. Six (6) for Block 3 Subcut the remaining fabrics into two (2) 6in squares for Block 1.

■ Three (3) 2 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into thirty two (32) 3in x 2 / in pieces. All for Block 4.

■ Four (4) 1¾in x WOF strips. Subcut into ninety six (96) 1¾in squares for Block 6.

■ Two (2) 7¾in x WOF strips. Subcut into twenty four (24) 2 / in x 7¾in rectangles. All for Block 6.

2

From the silver fabric cut the following:

■ One (1) 3½in x WOF strip. Subcut into twelve (12) 3½in squares for Block 1.

■ Six (6) 1 / in by WOF strips. Subcut into one hundred and twelve (112) 1 / in squares. All for Block 2.

■ One (1) 7in x WOF strip. Subcut into six (6)

7in squares. All for Block 3.

3

From the medium grey fabric cut the following:

■ Five (5) 1 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into ninety (90) 1 / in squares. All for Block 3.

■ Three (3) 1¾in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixty four (64) 1¾in squares. All for Block 4.

■ Seven (7) 2 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixty four (64) 2 / in squares and thirty two (32) 3in x 2 / in pieces. All for Block 4.

4

From the steel fabric cut the following:

■ Four (4) 3½in x WOF strips. Subcut into forty (40) 3½in squares. All for Block 5.

■ Two (2) 7in x WOF strips. Subcut into ten

(10) 7in squares. All for Block 5.

5

From the charcoal fabric cut the following:

■ Three (3) 1 / in x WOF strips. Subcut the strips into fifty six (56) 1 / in squares. All for Block 2.

■ Six (6) 1¾in x WOF strips. Subcut into one hundred forty four (144) 1¾in squares. Forty eight (48) for Block 4 and ninety six

(96) for Block 6.

■ Two (2) 2 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixteen (16) 2 / in squares. All for Block 4.

6

From the black fabric cut the following:

■ Two (2) 2 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into twenty four (24) 2 / in squares. All for Block 6.

7

From the pink fabric cut the following:

■ One (1) 6in x WOF strip. Subcut into two (2) 6in squares for Block 1 and six (6) 3in squares for Block 6.

■ One (1) 1 / in x WOF strip. Subcut into twelve (12) 1 / in squares. All for Block 2.

■ Two (2) 1¾in x WOF strips. Subcut into forty eight (48) 1¾in squares. All for Block 4.

■ Two (2) 2 / in x WOF strips. Subcut into sixteen (16) 2 / in squares for Block 4.

8

From your binding fabric cut eight (8)

2½in x WOF strips.

ASSEMBLING THE QUILT

9

Follow the instructions on pages 8-31 to construct your blocks. Sew the blocks together in six rows of six, referring to the photography for placement. Press the seams to the sides and alternate the direction row by row.

10

Sew the rows together. Because of the alternating seams, the blocks will neatly nest together.

11

Cut your backing fabric into two 2¼yd pieces, sew together down the long sides using a ½in seam allowance.

12

Make a quilt sandwich by placing the backing fabric right side down, the batting on top, then the quilt top centrally and right side up. Baste and quilt as desired. Nicole has quilted diagonal lines to follow the movement of the chains in a grey thread, with pops of pink. Trim away any excess batting and backing and square up.

13

Sew the strips of binding fabric together end to end using diagonal seams. Fold along the full length, wrong sides together, and press. Machine stitch the binding to the front of the quilt, folding a mitre at each corner. Then fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and hand stitch in place.