Single Irish Chain Quilt Patterns

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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 nine patches alternate with solid squares 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

A simple 9-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 for most fancy machine quilting or applique, and is based on a 3x3 grid.

Click here for several different ways to make a Nine Patch.

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

11 x 15 blocks

Or in an on-point setting...

9 x 11 blocks

To complete this type of layout, you need to also cut and sew setting (QSTs) and corner triangles (HSTs) to fill out the design.

Country Lanes Quilt Block

Country Lanes block design

Other common names: Cross in the Square, Pennsylvania

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.

Click here to learn how to make this block.

First a horizontal layout...

7 x 9 blocks

And now an on-point layout...

6 x 8 blocks

The Double Nine Patch

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

Double Nine Patch design

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:

• With a solid alternate square or 

• 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...

7 x 9 blocks

Set on point...

6 x 8 blocks

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.

6 x 7 blocks

Did you notice...?

The symmetry?

All the straight sets for our Single Irish Chain had odd-numbered blocks in the rows and column. In the diagonal or on-point layouts it didn't matter.

Symmetry was maintained.

Make the Single Irish Chain 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:

Common names:
Pennsylvania, Criss Cross Quilt, Simple Cross, Single Irish Chain

Common Names:
Nine Patch, A Plain Block, Sheepfold Quilt, Irish Chain

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.

For more on Irish Chain quilt patterns visit:

• 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, includes a free printable download with all the calculations done for you.

• 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

What about a different quilt block?

For a list of all the 215+ quilt block patterns on this site, start here.

If you know the name of the block, shorten your search by using these links:

A-D

E-M

N-Z

Click here if you're looking for blocks with at least some paper piecing.

Click here if you're looking for the basic building blocks of quilting, i.e., Flying Geese, half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc., along with several techniques to make each.

And finally, use these links to find blocks in these finished sizes:

• 4"

• 4-1/2"

• 5"

• 6"

• 8"

• 9"

• 10"

• 12"

This article was printed from Generations-Quilt-Patterns.com

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