Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
On the Square quilt block
A chain block: in each corner a diagonal of three dark squares edged with medium squares, joined by rows of three squares round a plain center, with background strips stepping between them. Also called New Irish Chain.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square and 8 strips
- B1 square 2½″
- C4 rectangles 3⅞″ × 1¼″then cut with template C
- D4 rectangles 2½″ × 1¼″then cut with template D
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 squares
- A16 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
24 squares
- A24 squares 1¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. On the Square cuts cleanly at 4½″ or 9″. At 6″ its squares are ⅔″, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square and 8 strips
- B1 square 3½″
- C4 rectangles 5½″ × 1½″
- D4 rectangles 3½″ × 1½″
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 squares
- A16 squares 1½″
Medium · Denim in the picture
24 squares
- A24 squares 1½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
The center square and 8 strips
- B1 square 4½″
- C4 rectangles 7¼″ × 1⅞″then cut with template C
- D4 rectangles 4½″ × 1⅞″then cut with template D
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 squares
- A16 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
24 squares
- A24 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Between the lines. On the Square cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″. At 12″ its squares are 1⅓″, so they need templates.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 Medium A pieces and a Background D piece together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 Medium A pieces and a Dark A piece together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 2 sections
Sew 2 Dark A pieces and a section together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 1 section
Sew 2 sections and a Background B square together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 1 section
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 5 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 sections, 5½″ × 1½″
Sew 2 Medium A squares and a Background D rectangle together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 5½″ × 1½″ (5″ × 1″ finished).
- Make 4 sections, 3½″ × 1½″
Sew 2 Medium A squares and a Dark A square together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 3½″ × 1½″ (3″ × 1″ finished).
- Make 2 sections, 5½″ × 1½″
Sew 2 Dark A squares and a section together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Each measures 5½″ × 1½″ (5″ × 1″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 5½″ × 3½″
Sew 2 sections and a Background B square together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Each measures 5½″ × 3½″ (5″ × 3″ finished).
- Make 1 section, 5½″
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Each measures 5½″ (5″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 5 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 Medium A pieces and a Background D piece together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 4 sections
Sew 2 Medium A pieces and a Dark A piece together in a row. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 2 sections
Sew 2 Dark A pieces and a section together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 1 section
Sew 2 sections and a Background B square together in a row. Press toward the plain pieces. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Make 1 section
Sew 3 sections together in a column. Press the seams to one side. Its size isn’t on the ⅛″ ruler at this block size, so sew it as cut and don’t trim it.
- Sew the units and pieces into 5 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 5 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 5 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
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Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is On the Square the same block as New Irish Chain?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists New Irish Chain as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
At 9″ every piece measures with a ruler. On its 9 × 9 grid, 6″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 9″ or 13½″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 10 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 49 pieces in 4 different shapes. Take it slowly and check each piece against the list. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.