Step-by-Step Guide to Making Single Irish Chain Quilt

The Single Irish Chain quilt is a timeless classic that looks beautifully intricate—but is surprisingly simple to make! Whether you’re a beginner looking for your next project or a seasoned quilter in the mood for something quick and satisfying, this pattern is a perfect choice.

✨ Let's Make a Single Irish Chain Quilt! ✨

Made from just two alternating blocks, the design creates a striking diagonal “chain” effect across your quilt top, adding movement and visual interest without complicated piecing. It’s also a fantastic way to show off contrast fabrics!

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to make your own Single Irish Chain quilt block by block—no stress, no fuss. Grab your fabric, thread your needle (or fire up your machine!), and let’s start stitching!

Quilt size: 62" x 62"

Finished block size: 10" x 10"

Make 13 blocks

Yardage estimate:

A. 0.5 yard B. 2.5 yard C. 0.5 yard D. 1 yard

Cutting and Sewing the Block

You can sew fabric pieces individually, but using a strip set technique speeds up assembly!

Strip Set 1

Cutting:

• Fabric A: Cut approximately six 3" strips from selvage to selvage (quantity may vary based on fabric width).

• Fabric B: Cut two to three 5½" strips from selvage to selvage (quantity may vary based on fabric width).

Assembly:

1. Sew one Fabric B strip between two Fabric A strips as shown.

2. Press seams toward the darker fabric.

3. Sub-cut the assembled strip set into 3" wide units.

   

   Strip set 1

Strip Set 2

Cutting:

• Fabric B: Cut approximately four 3" strips from selvage to selvage (quantity may vary based on fabric width).

• Fabric C: Cut two to three 5½" strips from selvage to selvage (quantity may vary based on fabric width).

Assembly:

1. Sew one Fabric C strip between two Fabric B strips as shown.

2. Press seams toward the darker fabric.

3. Sub-cut the assembled strip set into 5½" wide units.

Strip set 2

Block assembly

• Sew two units of Strip Set 1 to one unit of Strip Set 2, as shown.

• Repeat to make a total of 13 blocks.

Quilt Assembly

Cutting:

• Fabric B: Cut (12) squares, each 10½" x 10½".

Inner Border:

• Fabric B:

  • Cut (2) strips, each 2½" x 50½".

  • Cut (2) strips, each 2½" x 54½".

Outer Border:

• Fabric D:

  • Cut (2) strips, each 4½" x 54½".

  • Cut (2) strips, each 4½" x 62½".

Sewing:

1. Arrange the blocks as shown.

2. Sew the blocks into rows; press seams toward the blocks.

• Sew each row together

Finishing the Quilt Top

1. Sew the top and bottom inner borders onto the quilt, then attach the left and right inner borders.

2. Next, sew the top and bottom outer borders, followed by the left and right outer borders.

3. Your quilt top is complete! Quilt as desired, then bind to finish.

Single Irish Chain Quilt