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Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery

The Irish chain quilt pattern seems to be designed for embroidery. In this quilt made of batik fabrics we used the redwork rose designs from the Rose Garden Set, Rose Redwork Set I , Rose Redwork Set II and Rose Redwork Set III.

The finished size of the quilt is about 70" x 108".
We used 2 batiks: light sandy cream (4 yards), and burgundy (about 2 yards).You will also need backing and batting.

Cutting:

All measurements are based on 40" wide fabric, 1/4"seam allowance is included.

Out of light fabric, cut 22 squares measuring 10" x 10",
13 strips measuring 2 1/2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric; subcut them into 92 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and 92 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 6 1/2".
6 strips measuring 10" and the length of the width of the fabric.

Out of dark fabric, cut 4 squares measuring 10" x 10";
13 strips measuring 2 1/2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric; subcut these strips into 207 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2";
14 strips measuring 2 1/2" wide and the length of the width of the fabric for the first border and binding.

The Block

Using nine 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" dark squares, four 2 1/2"x 2 1/2" light squares and four
2 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips, sew 23 blocks as shown below:

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 2

Assembly:

Alternating the light 10" x 10" squares and the blocks, stitch them into rows. Odd rows use 3 blocks and 2 light squares and even rows, use 3 light squares and 2 blocks.

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 3

Stitch the rows together.

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 4

To make the first, dark borders, sew six 2 1/2" strips into one long strip and subcut them into 4 pieces: 2 strips 50 1/2" long and 2 strips 94 1/2" long.
Attach the upper and the lower borders (the strips measuring 2 1/2" x 50 1/2").
Attach the left and the right borders (strips measuring 2 1/2" x 94 1/2").

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 5

To make the second, light border, sew the 10" wide strips into one long strip and subcut them into 4 pieces: 2 strips measuring 10" x 54 1/2" and 2 pieces measuring 10" x 94 1/2".

Attach the left and the right light borders (strips measuring 10" x 94 1/2").

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 6

Assemble the upper and lower borders, using the the 10" x 10" dark squares and 10" x 54 1/2" light strips. Then sew them to the quilt top.

Embroidery:

Stabilize each square with iron-on cut-away stabilizer. Make the embroidery. Cut away the excess stabilizer.

You can also use polyester craft felt instead of the stabilizer. In this case we recommend to baste the quilt top to the felt in the ditch along the colored borders. After the embroidery is finished, rip the baste and cut away the excess felt around the embroidery.

Single Irish Chain Bed Quilt with Rose Redwork Embroidery image 8

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted along the lines of the embroidery and then quilted all over the quilt in a free-motion style.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.