Fabric Bird - Quilt Pattern
The Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern is a timeless and beloved design in the quilting world. This pattern is perfect for using up leftover fabrics while creating a stunning and intricate-looking quilt. Its charm lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it an ideal project for both beginners and seasoned quilters.
When you dive into the process of making an Irish Chain Scrap Quilt, you’ll discover how easily small fabric pieces come together to form a beautiful chain effect across your quilt. The combination of light, medium, and dark fabrics forms the interconnected chains that give this quilt its distinct appearance.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to create the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern, including detailed cutting instructions, fabric measurements, and a complete step-by-step guide. Whether you’re looking to reduce your fabric stash or simply want to make a meaningful handmade gift, this guide will help you every step of the way.
The Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern is a traditional quilting design that features interconnected chains running diagonally across the quilt. It’s visually striking yet simple to construct, which is why it has remained a favorite among quilters for generations.
One of the best things about this pattern is its flexibility. You can use scraps from previous projects, fat quarters, or even old clothing to create a unique and personalized quilt. Every quilt made with this pattern carries a story through its fabrics.
The typical Irish Chain Scrap Quilt is made using a combination of two or three colors to highlight the chain effect. However, scrap quilts bring an explosion of color and texture, making each one completely unique.
Another reason this pattern is so popular is that it’s beginner-friendly. The blocks are straightforward, and the repetition of the chain design makes it easy to plan and piece together.
This pattern usually alternates between chain blocks and plain blocks, giving the quilt balance and allowing the chain design to stand out. The simplicity of squares and straight seams means you won’t need advanced quilting skills.
The Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern can be made in various sizes, from crib quilts to king-size quilts. Its versatility makes it a fantastic project whether you’re quilting for yourself, for a gift, or even for charity.
Creating an Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern starts with organizing your fabric scraps and planning your color scheme. While this is a scrap-friendly project, having a balance of lights, mediums, and darks will make the chain design pop.
For a lap-size quilt (approx. 60” x 72”), you will need the following fabric cuts:
Now let’s get into the cutting details:
This cutting plan works well for a classic two-color Irish Chain Scrap Quilt, but feel free to add more variation by mixing different scrap fabrics for a truly scrappy look.
Make sure your fabrics are pressed before cutting to ensure accuracy. Accurate cutting is key to having blocks that fit together perfectly.
Using a rotary cutter, quilting ruler, and self-healing mat will speed up the process and provide clean, precise edges.
Label your piles as you cut to keep the chain block pieces and background pieces organized. This step will save you time during assembly.
The beauty of the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern is that it turns small pieces into something grand and cohesive.
Now that your fabrics are cut, it’s time to start piecing the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern together. The quilt is made from two main block types: the Chain Block and the Plain Block.
Start with the Chain Block. This is where your scraps shine and form the recognizable chain effect.
Lay out one 6 ½” x 6 ½” light square in the center. On each side, sew a 2 ½” x 6 ½” strip from your scrap pile to create the first row and last row of the block.
Next, take two 2 ½” x 2 ½” scrap squares and sew them on both sides of a 2 ½” x 6 ½” light strip. Repeat this step twice to create the second and fourth rows.
For the center row, sew five 2 ½” x 2 ½” scrap squares in a straight line. This forms the strong diagonal that runs through the block.
Assemble the rows in order: scrap row, strip row, center row, strip row, scrap row. Sew them together carefully, aligning seams.
Press seams as you go. Many quilters prefer pressing towards the darker fabrics to help with nesting seams, which results in flatter intersections.
Repeat this process until you have the required number of Chain Blocks—in this case, 12 blocks for a lap-size quilt.
Once your blocks are pieced, it’s time to lay out the quilt top. The Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern alternates between Chain Blocks and Plain Blocks.
Start by laying the blocks in a 5×6 grid:
This layout creates the beautiful diagonal chain lines that the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt is famous for.
Check your layout for color balance. Rearrange blocks as needed to distribute dark and light scraps evenly across the quilt top.
Sew blocks together in rows first. Pin at the seams to help match intersections accurately.
Press the seams of each row in alternating directions. This will help the rows nest together easily when sewing the full quilt top.
Sew the rows together, one at a time, matching the corners and points carefully. Take your time at this step to keep everything aligned.
Once the quilt top is fully assembled, give it a final pressing to make sure it lies flat and smooth, ready for the next step.
Now comes the fun part—turning your quilt top into a finished quilt. Layer your Irish Chain Scrap Quilt top with batting and backing.
Baste the layers together using pins, spray adhesive, or hand basting stitches, depending on your preference.
When choosing a quilting design, you have lots of options. Simple straight-line quilting along the seams works beautifully with the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern.
For a more traditional look, try quilting diagonal lines that echo the chain pattern. This will emphasize the flow of the design.
If you enjoy free-motion quilting, consider adding swirls, loops, or feathers in the background areas while keeping the chains more minimal.
After quilting, trim the excess batting and backing. Prepare your binding strips by cutting 2 ½” wide strips from your binding fabric.
Sew the binding to the front of the quilt, fold it over to the back, and hand-stitch or machine-stitch it down to complete your Irish Chain Scrap Quilt.
Give your quilt a final press, and enjoy the satisfaction of a beautiful, handmade creation that’s full of memories and fabrics from your stash.
The Irish Chain Scrap Quilt Pattern is not just a beautiful design—it’s a wonderful way to use your fabric scraps and create something meaningful. Its timeless style, easy construction, and flexibility make it a favorite among quilters of all levels.
Whether you’re sewing your very first quilt or adding to a growing collection, the Irish Chain Scrap Quilt offers a rewarding experience from start to finish. The diagonal chains, the interplay of colors, and the satisfaction of transforming scraps into a cohesive quilt are what make this pattern truly special.
If you enjoyed this guide, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your quilting journey or see your finished Irish Chain Scrap Quilt! Feel free to share your tips, suggestions, or questions. Happy quilting!
