Irish Chain Quilt Along – Block A

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Hey there! Welcome to the first day of our quilt along, I’m so happy you’ve decided to join me! The quilt along will run December 10 through January 31, 2025. My goal with this quilt along is firstly to have fun, and secondly to slow down and enjoy the process of quilting, during this very busy holiday season. If you can sew a block a day December 13 through January 31 – that’s 50 days, you’ll have a completed quilt top with some days off in between. The quilt has 35 blocks in all – 18 Block A, and 17 Block B. So let’s jump in and get started on Block A!

See the first post in this Quilt Along Series Here.

Nine Patch Chain Quilt Size

Finished quilt size: 50″ x 70″ throw
Finished block size: 10″ x 10″
Number of blocks in the quilt: 35 – in a 5 x 7 layout – (18) Block A, and (17) Block B

Materials to make the 50″ x 70″Throw Size Quilt

Yardage is based on 42″ wide fabric

  • 7/8 yard for (18) A – Blocks
  • 9 fat quarters for (17) B – Blocks
  • 2 yards background fabric
  • 4 1/2 yards backing fabric
  • 1/2 yard binding

Cutting Instructions to make (1) Block A:

All measurements include 1/4″ – wide seam allowances.
WOF = Width of fabric (42″ wide)

From the background fabric, cut:

  • A – (4) 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles
  • B – (4) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares

From the print fabric for the “chain”, cut:

  • D – (9) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares

Cutting Instructions to make (18) Block A:

From the background fabric, cut (12) 2 1/2″ x WOF strips, then cut:

  • A – (72) 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles (4 for each Block A)
  • B – (72) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares (4 for each Block A)

From the print fabric for the “chain”, cut (10) 2 1/2″ x WOF strips, then cut:

  • D – (162) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares (9 for each Block A)

Block A Sewing Instructions

These directions are to make 1 block. I recommend making a test block before diving into making the quilt.

  1. Arrange (3) B – squares with (3) D – squares as shown. Sew together in pairs and press toward fabric D. The units should measure 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” unfinished.
  1. Arrange (3) B/D – units with (2) D – squares, and (1) B – square as shown. Sew together and press toward fabric D. Arrange the (3) pieces together as show. Sew together and press in the direction of the arrows. The 9-patch unit should measure 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ unfinished.
  1. Arrange (4) D – squares with (2) A – rectangles as shown. Sew together and press toward fabric A. Next arrange (2) A – rectangles with the 9-patch unit. Sew the pieces together and press toward fabric A. Then arrange the pieces as shown and press in the direction of the arrows. The Block A should measure 10 1/2” x 10 1/2” unfinished.

Sewing Tips

If you’re a first time quilter a project like this might seem a bit too complicated, however when you break it down into chunks it’s so much more manageable. Just like any big project you take on, breaking it down into small pieces and doing just a bit at a time before long it’s finished. So here are some tips on how I approach a quilt like this.

  1. Make a test block. If I were a newbie quilter, or even I still do this as one with lots of years under my belt… I start by making a test block. I broke down the cutting and sewing directions above for just one block, so do this first before diving in. Use your scraps to make the test block. Then you can see how the block comes together see if your sizing matches up – does the block finish at 10 1/2″? If not, check that your sewing with an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance, and be sure your cutting is accurate, more on that in my next tip.
  1. Sew with an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance. This comes with practice, but having a sewing foot specifically designed for quilting will help. I use the foot number 37 for m Bernina 440QE. When you sew line up your fabric with the edge of the 1/4″ foot.
  1. Tools I recommend. Having good tools is a quilters best friend. These are my go to tools:
  1. Work in batches for more efficient sewing. After you are happy with your test block, and ready to tackle the quilt project. Start by cutting out all the pieces you need for Block A following the cutting list above. Then layout all your pieces to make the 9-patch centers of Block A. Here is my set up. I have all the pieces stacked on top of each other for all 18 blocks. Then do all of step 1, sewing squares B and D together for all the blocks, don’t break thread, just keep feeding them all through your machine. This saves thread, and time!
  1. After you have step 1 done, cut the chain pieces apart or keep them together. I like to cut them apart because otherwise they get all tangled up and that annoys me. Then add on the next piece, either a background square B, or the colored square D. Here’s what my chain looked like after they were all sewed together.
  1. Now to finish your 9 patches, finger press or iron the the seams toward the colored fabric (in my case the pink floral). With them all pressed this way your seams will “nest” sit right next to each other. Feed them back through your machine – pin or don’t – this is another personal preference. I pinned when I first started quilting but now I just finger press my seams, and bring them to the machine without pinning (depends on the block I’m making).
  1. Next, sew all your D squares, and A rectangles together from step 3 above. Sorry I didn’t take a picture of that step. I must have been getting tired from attempting to finish this quilt in a day… which isn’t possible unless you’re a superhero! 🙂
  2. Once all those D/A units are done, it’s time to layout the block and sew it together. I work one block at a time for this finishing step, and love admiring each one as a I go. I also show it off to whoever is in nearby. “Look what I can do!” this never gets old (for me anyways).

I took my design wall down to move it, so I threw a piece of batting over my folding divider as a temporary place to put my blocks up. I really wish I hadn’t taken my design wall down but it was in my kitchen on the wall and I was getting tired of seeing it there. All of the walls in my sewing room are either windows, or a wall of fabric so that’s my current dilemma – figuring out where to put my design wall. When I figure it out, i’ll let you know 🙂

I’ll be back next week with the instructions for Block B. So in the meantime, test out the block, and let me know how it goes. Share with me over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tangledthreadsbyjen/, #tangledthreadsabyjen @tangledthreadsbyjen or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TangledThreadsByJen.

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I hope you have fun making this block. I’ll share more tips, and update this post as I think of things to add. If you have questions reach out!

Happy quilting, stay warm!

Jen