When I was uncovering older tops that I really wanted to get quilted this year, this one popped up. I had forgotten about it, actually. Then because of the blog post I had recently written about Irish Chain quilts, I thought it was the perfect time to get it finished. I discovered what I had about the same time as I wrote that post back in January.

Anyway - I quilted it with swirls. Larger ones than sometimes. I like it.

Here it is.

This quilt is rather large - but at the same time, a classic quilt design. It did turn out pleasing to me and I like it a lot!

I did use 2.5” strips and squares for it, however. Because of that, even though it was made years and years ago, I am putting it in my 2.5” series - though not one I actually made the top this year. :)

The difference with this one is that I started and stopped with a blank square. This is why I know I made this one many MANY years ago. I would not have done that these days. I always start and stop with the chain square itself. Anyway….so be it. At least it is a variation.

Anyway - it’s a classic, and yet another proof that I’ve loved these types of chain quilts ever since I discovered quilting.

I did use a very pretty rose print on the back. It is a fabric I found here in Poland. No, I’m not bringing any over to the states because you have plenty of gorgeous fabrics there.

There was a bit of transfer of red to the cream or white - but not a lot and not enough for me to wash again and again—especially since I don’t know if this one is going to get transferred over to the charity quilt pile.

Also, by hanging it up on the line I do tend to struggle a bit with see-through when the quilt has a lot of white on it - in other words, the backing has an influence on the top and how it looks. It’s probably my bad as a photographer, actually.

At this point, it is not a charity quilt and if someone mentions to me on Facebook that they love it (and live nearby), they will probably find it in their possession. :)

Speaking of why I prefer to donate easy quilts as charity quilts - well, that’s because many of the recipients of the charity quilts really don’t understand or appreciate patchwork. They are looking for the print, and as such, might actually use the back as their front. Some do, however - and if I could find that lady…well, I’m so ready to give her a beautiful quilt! :)

While I don’t “mind”, when they prefer the back, I not particularly eager to give a quilt to someone when I suspect they are going to prefer the side I didn’t even piece. I do give a lot of charity quilts away as a form of simple charity. It gets cold in the winter in Poland and many poor people can’t afford to heat their homes or apartments well.

But, if I have a more complexly pieced quilt, I’d rather find someone who actually appreciates the work that went into it. I do that as well, with the charity quilt tops you all send me. If I see that it is a rather amazing top, I’m kind of particular about who that one goes to. :) I am aware that everyone needs to be warm, but not everyone needs that quilt that you spent 20-40 hours just on the top. That saying, I do like to give someone a quilt that is nice on both sides so that it is, in effect, reversible.

I’m not sure why I got off on that - but here’s another angle.

And here’s the quilt roll.

Because I have various Irish Chain quilt patterns already written, I did not write up another one for this particular variant. In general, just remember that a Single Irish Chain is a 9 patch block next to a plain block of the same size as the 9 patch with the same color background so that the background all blends together and and the 9 patches form a chain. Someday I might write a simple SINGLE Irish Chain quilt pattern using 2.5” strips or squares. However, for now- just make 9 patches using your 2.5” squares and cut alternating plain blocks that are 6.5”. Put them together in the form of alternating blocks. That’s all there is to it!

You can see with these last two that I started and stopped with the 9 patch - and that is how I would always do it now. This red one is an anomaly, for sure!

Have a great day wherever you are reading this!

Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey!

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you in the store here!

Feel free to browse the site.

"Single Irish Chain" - in Red/Cream