Quilt block · Checks and chains · Intermediate
Triple Irish Chain quilt block
Forty-nine squares in a chain: dark on both diagonals, then medium, light and background as they move away from them.
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
4 squares
- A4 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- A13 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
20 squares
- A20 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
12 squares
- A12 squares 1⅜″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Triple Irish Chain cuts cleanly at 3½″ or 7″. At 6″ its squares are ⁶⁄₇″, 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
4 squares
- A4 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- A13 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
20 squares
- A20 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
12 squares
- A12 squares 1⅞″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Triple Irish Chain cuts cleanly at 7″ or 10½″. At 9″ its squares are 1²⁄₇″, 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 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
4 squares
- A4 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Dark · Navy in the picture
13 squares
- A13 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Medium · Denim in the picture
20 squares
- A20 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
12 squares
- A12 squares 2¼″then cut with template A
Between the lines. Triple Irish Chain cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″. At 12″ its squares are 1⁵⁄₇″, 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.
- Sew the pieces into 7 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 7 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 7 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.
- Sew the pieces into 7 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 7 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 7 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.
- Sew the pieces into 7 rows
Lay out the pieces as in the picture and sew them into 7 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 7 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
What size should I make it?
On its 7 × 7 grid, 6″, 9″ and 12″ put some pieces between the ⅛″ marks, so they need templates. It cuts cleanly at 10½″ or 14″.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 7 sections (A, B, C, D, E, F and G), 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 1 shape. Take it slowly and check each piece against the list. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.