Single Irish Chain Quilt Patterns

An Easy Quilt Pattern for the Beginning Quilter

The Single Irish Chain Quilt pattern is an easy beginner quilt. Set in horizontal rows it's all rectangles and squares, ideal for a new quilter to practice rotary cutting skills and to perfect that scant quarter inch seam allowance.

But set it on point, add setting triangles and the design is completely transformed.

All of the images on this page are designed and drawn in Electric Quilt 7 (EQ 7), a quilt design software. I use it to design all my quilts. It is easy to learn, easy to use and makes auditioning colors and fabrics a snap.

The Building Blocks

This two unit quilt pattern is characterized by a single chain of squares that form a grid around an open area. Pieced units alternate with solid ones to form the pattern. The open spaces are ideal for showcasing your applique, hand or machine quilting or new set of machine embroidery designs.

You can choose from one of several pieced designs to create this pattern. These different block(s) provide a way to increase or decrease the amount open space to suit your needs.

The Basic Nine Patch

This nine-patch is simple to construct from individual squares. But if you need exact multiples of it, strip piecing is even faster and easier.

This unit creates the smallest possible open space, probably too small from machine quilting or applique, and is based on a 3x3 grid.

Set in straight rows with an alternating solid square...

Or in an on-point setting...

Country Lanes Quilt Block

Other common name: Cross in the Square

Just like it's cousin, the Double Irish Chain, this block is based on a 5x5 grid and creates an open space 2/3's larger than the previous ninepatch block.

First a horizontal layout...

And now an on-point layout...

The Double Nine Patch

Other common names include: Single Irish Chain, Golden Steps, Puss in the Corner

Simply a nine patch made from nine patches. It creates an open space equal to its 9x9 grid.

It can be set in one of two ways: 1) with a solid alternate square or 2) with a plain sashing strip and a nine patch for the cornerstone. The sashing is cut a width equal to the unfinished nine-patch square.

Our examples use a solid alternating square.

Set in horizontal rows...

Set on point...

To jazz things up a bit, why not add two extra fabrics.

Choose a light fabric for the small nine patches, another fabric (pink) for the alternate squares in the double nine patch, and a third color (blue) for the alternating squares.

Make this Quilt Design Your Own

The pieced units used to create a Single Irish Chain Quilt all have a single row of squares that forms an 'X' and runs from corner to corner. These squares needn't be all the same size. Two more that work to create a single Irish Chain are:

Remember that to maintain the quilt design's symmetry in a straight set, both rows and columns need an odd number of blocks. There is no limitation for an on-point layout.

Finally, though a single Irish Chain quilt pattern is traditionally constructed with just two fabrics, there is no reason not to use up your scraps. Just be sure that there is enough contrast in value between the background fabric and chain fabrics so that the design is prominent.

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For more information on Irish Chain Quilt Patterns see:

• Irish Chain Quilt Pattern: Part 1
  A Great Beginner Quilt with Room to Grow
• Irish Chain Quilt Pattern: Part 2
  Simple Changes=Knockout Quilts
• Double Irish Chain Quilt Pattern
• Triple Irish Chain Quilt Patterns and Blocks
• Single Chain and Knot
  
• Setting Triangles for an On-Point Quilt Setting
• Quilting an Irish Chain
  
• Quick way to make scrappy Single Irish Chain units with only 2 squares of fabric
• A Single Chain with tiny pieces
  

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