A classic Irish chain meets an 8-point star in this stunning pattern from Preeti Harris. Finishing at 60 inches by 80 inches, this throw quilt pattern features a field of cerulean and royal blue stars against a stark white background. Our favorite detail of this pattern is the skinny, scrappy border made in various shades of blue that provides energetic color to this calming quilt design.
Finished Block Sizes:
- Irish Chain Block 10” Finished – Make 17
- Star Block 10” Finished – Make 18
Finished Quilt Size: 60” by 80”
Designer Notes:
- This quilt pattern (60” by 80”) is made up of two blocks and two borders.
- There are a total of 35 blocks, arranged in five columns and seven rows. A skinny 1” inner border and an outer scrappy border, made of 4 1/2″ squares, completes the top.
Materials:
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:
- Background – 3 yards
- 10-12 focus fabrics – 1/3 yards each
- Binding – 1/2 yard
- Backing – 4 yards
Piecing Instructions:
MAKING IRISH CHAIN BLOCKS:
We will use strip-piecing to make Irish Chain Blocks.
Choose three focus fabrics to make Irish Chain Blocks.
- Fabric A – Cut one strip 2 1/2” by WOF
- Fabric B – Cut four strips 2 1/2” by WOF
- Fabric C – Cut four strips 2 1/2” by WOF
- Background – Cut four strips 2 1/2” by WOF. Cut four strips 6 1/2” by WOF.
Note: Use a 1/4” seam allowance.
- Stitch one Fabric A strip (2 1/2” wide) between two background strips (2 1/2”), along the length. Press. Cross cut into 17 2 1/2” sections. Set aside.
- Stitch one background strip (2 1/2” wide) between two Fabric B strips (2 1/2”), along the length. Press. Repeat to make a second set. Cross cut each set into 17 2 1/2” sections. We need 34, then set aside.
- Stitch one background strip (6 1/2”) between two Fabric C strips (2 1/2”), along the length. Press. Repeat to make a second set. Cross cut each set into 17 2 1/2” sections. We need 34, then set aside.
- Cut the remaining background strips (6 1/2”) into 34 rectangles, 2 1/2” by 6 1/2”.
- Gather one unit from Step 1 and two units from Step 2. Stitch together as shown below on the left.
- Next, add the background 6 1/2” rectangles and press. Lastly, stitch the two units from Step 3, as shown. Square/trim to 10 1/2”, if needed. Similarly, make all 17 blocks.
MAKING STAR BLOCKS:
- Background – Four squares 3 1/2”, Four rectangles 3 1/2” by 4 1/2″
- Focus Fabric – Eight squares 2 1/2″ , One square 4 1/2″
- Gather one background rectangle (4 1/2” by 3 1/2”) and two Focus fabric squares (2 1/2”). Orient the rectangle such that the long edge is horizontal, and the right side is facing up. Place one focus fabric square, right side down, on the top left corner, carefully aligning the edges.
- Pin in place. Stitch on the diagonal. Cut 1/4” away from the seam. Press open.
- Using the other focus fabric square (2 1/2”), repeat the process on the top right corner.
- Similarly, make three more units. Now arrange the units as shown below. Stitch together like a nine-patch. Square/trim to 10 1/2”, if needed. Similarly, make all 18 blocks.
- Arrange the Star blocks and Irish Chain blocks in an alternating layout of five columns and seven rows. Follow the Layout Diagram. Stitch blocks in rows and stitch the rows together. Press.
- Add a skinny border using 1 1/2” strips. Press. Using 4 1/2” squares, make scrappy borders. Add long side borders (18 squares each) first. Press. Then add top and bottom (15 squares each). Press.
- Layer, Baste, Quilt, Trim, Bind, Label and Enjoy!
