Medallion Month 12

This months block is an Irish Chain Block. The Irish Chain quilt pattern is one of the oldest and most popular quilt patterns. Barbara Brackman believes the Irish Chain quilt pattern was developed in America in the early 1800s. She states that 1814 is the earliest known date for this pattern.
The Irish Chain is a great quilt for beginners, it's all strips and squares. However I have added HST's to the corners.

Irish Chain Block

Cutting:

Dark fabric:       A  2-  4'' x 4''  

                   B   1- 4 3/4'' x 4 3/4''

Medium Fabric:     C   1- strip 2'' x33'' 

Background Fabric: D  2- 4'' x 4''  

                   E  1- strip 2'' x33'' 

                   F  2- 4'' x 4''

Step 1:

1. On the back of both piece D draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. As per diagram 1a.

2. Place the square on top of piece A. Sew a 1/4'' seam on both sides of the line. As per diagram 1b.

3. Cut on drawn line. As per diagram 1c.

4. Press HST's to dark side.

5. Trim the HST's to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''

6. Make 4.

diagram 1

Step 2:

1.Sew strip C and E right sides together. As per diagram 2.

2. Press seam to dark side.

3. With rotary cutter and ruler straighten up one end. 

4. Cut 16 2'' x 3 1/2'' pieces. As per diagram 2.

diagram 2

5. Using the pieces you just cut, lay face up with darker square at top. Place another piece on top right sides together and darker square at bottom. As per diagram 3a.

6.Nestle seams and sew a 1/4'' seam. As per diagram 3b.

7. Swirl center seam and press.

8. Trim to 3 1/2'' x 3 1/2''.

9. Make 8.

10.  Sew two 4 patch units together, matching dark squares at top using a 1/4'' seam.

11. Make 4.

diagram 3

Step 3

1. Cut F in half diagonally. You should have 4 pieces.

2. Finger press a vertical and horizontal fold in piece B.

3. Place piece F right sides together on piece B matching point of F to crease line on B. See diagram 4.

4. Sew using a 1/4'' seam.

5. Open the seam and finger press. Do not use your iron or you will loose the crease lines.

6. Repeat with the other 3 sides of B.

7. Press and trim to 6 1/2'' x 6 1/2''.

diagram 4

Step 4

1. Sew units together to make rows. Sew rows together to make Irish Chain Block. See diagram 5.

diagram 5

I hope everyone is having fun making their blocks. I would love to see any of the blocks you have made, you can post to Instagram using #stitchinathomemedallion2017 

There are two blocks left to make for the Medallion Quilt.