Easy Piece-y Irish Chain Quilt Pattern

This Irish chain quilt from Megan Farrell is a darkly romantic design that’s perfect for the upcoming seasonal transition. Reminiscent of lattice work, this Irish chain pattern uses a combination of solids and dark floral prints against an ivory background to create a stunning quilt design. This quilt pattern is a fantastic project for beginner quilters looking to stretch their skillset, as this easy pattern uses basic piecing techniques.

Finished Size: 48” x 72”

Fabric Requirements and Cutting Instructions:

Large Print (P): 2 1/3 yards

• Cut (2) 8 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (7) – 8 1/2″ Squares.
• Border #2
  • (6) 4 1/2″ x WOF strips

Background (BG): 1 1/4 yards

• Cut (2) 8 1/2″ x WOF Strips.
  • Sub cut into (28) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles.
• Cut (2) 4 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (28) – 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
• Border #1
  • (4) 2 1/2″ x WOF  strips
  • (2) 2 1/2” x 40 1/2” strips

Color A: 2/3 yard

• Cut (2) 2 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (30) 2 1/2″ squares.
• Cut (3) 4 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (16) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Sub cut into (16) 4 1/2″ squares.

Color B: 2/3 yard

• Cut (2) 2 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (30) 2 1/2″ squares.
• Cut (3) 4 1/2″ x WOF.
  • Sub cut into (16) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles.
  • Sub cut into (16) 4 1/2″ squares.

Binding: 5/8 yard

• Cut (7) 2 1/2” x WOF strips.

Backing: 3 1/4 yards

• Cut the fabric in half to create (2) 58 1/2” x WOF pieces.

Piecing Instructions:

CHAIN BLOCKS:

1. Sew together one Color A 4 1/2” square to one Color B 4 1/2” square. Complete this step 16 times to make pairs measuring 4 1/2” x 8 1/2” each.
   
   
2. Take two pairs from Step 1. Rotate one pair 180 degrees, then sew the two pairs together. Complete this step 8 times to make four patches measuring 8 1/2” square each. Set aside.
   
   
3. Sew together one Color A 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle, one Background (BG) 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle, and one Color B 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle as shown. Complete this step 16 times to make long strips measuring 2 1/2” x 12 1/2” each.
   
   
4. Sew together one Color A 2 1/2” square to one BG 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” rectangle to one Color B 2 1/2” Square. Complete this step 16 times to make short strips measuring 2 1/2” x 8 1/2” each.
   
   
5. Sew one short strip each to the left and right sides of a four patch, as shown. Be sure to match color A 2 1/2” square to Color A 4 1/2” square, and Color B to Color B. Complete this step 8 times to make chain centers measuring 12 1/2” x 8 1/2” each.
   
   
6. Sew one long strip each to the top and bottom of a chain center, as shown. Be sure to match Colors A and B, similar to Step 5. Complete this step 8 times to make chain blocks measuring 12 1/2” square each. Set aside.
   
   

PRINT BLOCKS:

1. Sew one Color A 2 1/2” square to one BG 2 1/2” x 8 1/2” rectangle to one Color B 2 1/2” square. Complete this step 14 times to make print strips measuring 12 1/2” x 2 1/2” each.
   
   
2. Sew one BG 2 1/2” Rectangle each to left and right sides of the Print 8 1/2” square. Complete this step 7 times to make print centers measuring 12 1/2” x 8 1/2” each.
   
   
3. Sew one print strip each to the top and bottom of a print center, as shown. Alternate the colors so that B is on the left upper and right lower corners. Complete this step 7 times to make print blocks measuring 12 1/2” square each.
   
   

QUILT LAYOUT:

1. Lay the blocks in a 3×5 grid as shown, alternating chain blocks and print blocks, with chain blocks in all four corners. Sew the blocks into rows, then sew the rows together to make the quilt center, measuring 36 1/2” x 60 1/2”.
   
   

BORDERS:

1. Sew two Background Border #1 2 1/2” x WOF strips together end to end, then cut the strip to measure 2 1/2” x 60 1/2”. Repeat to create a second 60 1/2” strip. Sew one 2 1/2” x 60 1/2” strip each to the left and right sides of the quilt center.
2. Sew one Background Border #1 2 1/2” x 40 1/2” strip each to the top and bottom of the quilt center. The quilt center now measures 40 1/2” x 64 1/2”.
3. Sew two Background Border #2 4 1/2” x WOF strips together end to end, then cut the strip to measure 2 1/2” x 64 1/2”, setting the offcut aside (it should be about 18”). Repeat to create a second 64 1/2” strip. Sew one 2 1/2” x 64 1/2” strip each to the left and right sides of the quilt center.
4. Sew one Background Border #1 4 1/2” x WOF strip together end to end with one offcut from the previous step, then cut the strip to measure 4 1/2” x 48 1/2”. Repeat to create a second 48 1/2” strip. Sew one strip each to the top and bottom of the quilt center.
   
   

FINISHING:

1. Sew the backing fabric together to create a backing measuring 56 1/2” x 80 1/2”.
2. Create a quilt sandwich with the backing, batting, and quilt top. Baste and quilt as desired.
3. Bind the quilt using your preferred method.

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