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    Irish Chain Book + Giveaway

    Last Modified: June 12, 2015 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 36 Comments

    One of the first "real" quilts I ever made was when I got married almost 18 years ago was a traditional Irish Chain quilt. (I'm embarrassed to say it's still not finished.*insert cringe here* sigh. I am publicly shaming myself so that I will get it done. One day...) There's just something so classic about an Irish Chain Quilt! There still some of my favorites.

    B1297_Final_FB_Cover.indd

    Which is why I think it's so fun that Melissa Corry has written a book of new quilt designs all inspired my the Irish Chain motif. She has taken that basic diagonal "chain" design and run with it in new and creative ways! (This post includes pictures from the book itself taken by Brent Kane [courtesy of Martingale publishing] as well as affiliate links.)

    Melissa's book is called Irish Chain Quilts and there is a great variety of patterns and designs to inspire you too.

    01-80_B1297_Finals.indd

    Here are pictures of a few of them from the book. This one is called Two Paths Crossed. Love the classic spin on a traditional design and colors. Such a pretty quilt!

    01-80_B1297_Finals.inddThis quilt is called Breaking Up. It is another take on a traditional Irish Chain motif, but gives it a little asymmetry and a modern spin on the design. There are more quilts that take the diagonal motif in an even more abstract direction.

    01-80_B1297_Finals.indd

    One of my favorite quilts from the book is this cute little neighborhood quilt called The Village Square. Such a fun design and really fun to get together.

    neighborhood quilt block

    I put together my own version of this quilt to contribute to a quilt Melissa is making for charity with a combination of all the block designs from her book. Can't wait to see how it turns out. This block was so quick and FUN to make - especially playing with the fabrics for those houses.

    IrishChain_BlogHopBanner

    To see more blocks and designs from Irish Chain Quilts, check out these other stops on this blog tour:

    June 8th -   Happy Quilting - Blog Hop Intro
    June 9th -   Moda Lissa - Lissa Alexander + Fat Quarter Shop - Jocelyn Ueng
    June 10th -  Piece N Quilt - Natalia Bonner + In Color Order - Jeni Baker
    June 11th -  Amy's Creative Side - Amy Ellis + Sew Kind of Wonderful - Jenny Pedigo
    June 12th -  Quilt Story - Megan Jimenez + Diary of a Quilter - Amy Smart
    June 15th -  Freshly Pieced - Lee Heinrich + Christa Quilts - Christa Watson
    June 16th -  Moda Cutting Table - Carrie Nelson + Little Miss Shabby - Corey Yoder
    June 17th -  Fresh Lemons - Faith Jones + V and Co.  - Vanessa Christenson
    June 18th -  A Quilting Life - Sherri McConnell + Stitch This! - Jenny Wilding Cardon
    June 19th -  Happy Quilting - Wrap Up & Grand Prizes
    Irish Chain Quilts Blog Hop - Grand Prises
    And be sure to stop by Melissa's blog to enter to win a copy for yourself as well as a whole bundle of other goodies! Irish Chain Quilts is available now at your favorite local quilt shop, Amazon, or from publisher Martingale (hard copy includes a free Ebook.)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lee

      June 12, 2015 at 4:42 am

      What darling quilts! I love the Village design!

      Reply
    2. Renea

      June 12, 2015 at 6:05 am

      Your block is sew cute. I love this book.

      Reply
    3. Karen

      June 12, 2015 at 6:24 am

      very nice looking quilts - count me in!

      Reply
    4. KATHE

      June 12, 2015 at 7:03 am

      Have never tried this type of quilt but I see it in my future - thanks.

      Reply
    5. Elsie Pop

      June 12, 2015 at 7:14 am

      What gorgeous quilts! I love the Two Paths Crossed - it works really well. xx

      Reply
    6. Lee Ann L.

      June 12, 2015 at 7:48 am

      This looks like a very interesting book!

      Reply
    7. Toni

      June 12, 2015 at 8:25 am

      Variations on Irish Chains are always winners. I bought a book on Irish Chains when I first started quilting and I'm ashamed to say I haven't made any! but they are on my list. 🙂

      Reply
    8. Doris mccarty

      June 12, 2015 at 8:38 am

      I want to make a red and white one.

      Reply
    9. Joan M

      June 12, 2015 at 9:27 am

      Love your sweet block! Looks like a great book to add to my library.

      Reply
    10. Lu

      June 12, 2015 at 9:40 am

      Nice job on the cutest of the Irish chain quilts. I love the colors you used.

      Reply
    11. Marly

      June 12, 2015 at 10:20 am

      I like your block: I fall for red ad white quilts in a big way! This looks like being a great book. Thanks for sharing your favourites.

      Reply
    12. Susan

      June 12, 2015 at 10:33 am

      Love those little houses! This looks like a great book!

      Reply
    13. Lisa E

      June 12, 2015 at 3:00 pm

      That Village Square quilt is so cute!

      Reply
    14. Lori Smanski

      June 12, 2015 at 3:00 pm

      your block is darling. I cant wait to see the finished quilt

      Reply
    15. Sara

      June 12, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      Amy I love your story and your lovely quilt!

      Reply
    16. Ashley

      June 12, 2015 at 7:26 pm

      Love two paths crossed!

      Reply
    17. Cecilia

      June 12, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      Your house block is so adorable! I would never have thought of using house blocks like this. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    18. VickiT

      June 12, 2015 at 7:53 pm

      Really cute block you've made. I like how the houses are not the traditional type you see on so many other patterns. Love these. Great block. Thank you for showing us.

      Reply
    19. LJ

      June 12, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      So far, I'm loving all the different Irish Chain blocks/qults. The block you made is absolutely adorable and such a unique take on the IC quilt.

      Reply
    20. Colleen

      June 12, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      I do like your quilt block shades of red and white and houses very classic with a newness

      Reply
    21. Glenda Penner

      June 13, 2015 at 12:14 am

      How romantic that you have a quilt whose beginning goes all the way back to the beginning of your marriage. Both are unfinished works in progress don't you think? Glad to have come upon your blog. Lovely.

      Reply
      • Amy Smart

        June 13, 2015 at 10:42 am

        True! That's a good way of looking at it. And makes me feel less guilty about the unfinished quilt. lol

        Reply
    22. Sherry

      June 13, 2015 at 9:08 am

      This looks like a book I would really use. Your little village block is great.

      Reply
    23. Rita

      June 13, 2015 at 10:37 am

      Beautiful chain quilts! I especially like the little houses!

      Reply
    24. Rochelle

      June 13, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      I like all of the quilts. The variations are so interesting it's hard to make a choice as to a favorite.

      Reply
    25. Sharon Powless

      June 13, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      I just love the batik Irish Chain!

      Reply
    26. Laurie

      June 14, 2015 at 8:36 am

      The quilts look amazing what a great book. I love the one on the cover.

      Reply
    27. BEtH

      June 14, 2015 at 8:50 am

      Now there are three quilts I absolutely must make from this book that I thought I wasn't interested in. I love how you did your block and I can't wait to see the charity quilt either. I think it's going to be awesome with all of the different blocks, but I guess we'll have to wait and see 🙂

      Reply
      • Amy Smart

        June 15, 2015 at 3:55 pm

        I'm excited to see it too!

        Reply
    28. Susan G

      June 14, 2015 at 8:34 pm

      I really like the blocks and quilts I'm seeing. Two Paths Crossed is really pretty. I love the little houses too.

      Reply
    29. Donna Murdock

      June 15, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      The house one is just too cute! Gotta add this to another quilt I must do.

      Reply
    30. Janet

      June 16, 2015 at 1:07 am

      Great block! This book looks very inspiring.

      Reply
    31. Lyn Kaufmann

      June 16, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Your red/white village block is adorable! Love the red and white combination and the houses are so fun.

      Reply
      • Amy Smart

        June 16, 2015 at 9:43 pm

        Thank you! It was a fun block to make.

        Reply
    32. Debra

      June 19, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      I would love to make an Irish Chain

      Reply

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