Thursday, March 22, 2012

Finished: Double Irish Chain

Two years ago, around St. Patrick's Day, I began a Double Irish Chain quilt.  Being 100% proud of being 50% Irish I knew someday I would have to make one in green and white.  I found a lovely pattern in Big Book of Best-Loved Quilt Patterns (Oxmoor House 2003) and made enough blocks for a queen size quilt.  The dark green has a small white floral print and the white on white is a little butterfly print.  I worked on it off and on, and by St. Patrick's Day last year I had the top finished!

I found some Kelly Green for the backing, and over the next year finished the diagonal quilting on my machine with my walking foot.  Then it sat for quite a while because I didn't know what I was going to quilt in the large white squares.  The book showed a beautiful shamrock quilted in each.  I tried a sample in free-motion, but I must admit I'm not an accomplished enough free-motion quilter, and it looked awful.  I also tried a sample hand quilting the shamrock, with similar results.  So it hung on the quilt rack in the living room as a UFO
(UnFinished Object).


This winter I got a new sewing machine, and I specifically bought one that will do quilting embroidery.  Finally, I could quilt the large white spaces with something I would be happy with.  It took three days, but I finished the last of the 40 white blocks the day before St. Patrick's Day - and put it right on the bed to celebrate the Holiday! 

This isn't the only quilt in UFO status that needs large squares quilted, so I hope to be trying out some more quilt embroidery patterns when I have time to quilt awhile.
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15 comments:

  1. MrsblockoMarch 23, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    The quilting in the center white blocks really makes this quilt pop. Congrats on your awesome finish!

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  2. BettyMarch 23, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    All thosetiny blocks!
    Andlook at the quilting!
    It's fabulous

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  3. ElenaMarch 24, 2012 at 3:27 AM

    So nice! Congratulations!
    Besos
    Elena

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  4. PamelaApril 9, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    That is really pretty!

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  5. AngieApril 9, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    That is so beautiful! Could you please say what machine embroidery design has the feathered wreath? I have a larger arm Babylock sewing/embroidery machine, and it would be fun to try something like this. Thanks

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  6. Melissa LabellaApril 9, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    Beautiful, definitely worth the wait!

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  7. MavisApril 9, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    Very pretty! What brand of sewing machine? That looks amazing.

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  8. Sandra KayeApril 10, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Beautiful Quilt!! Love the green and the quilting!! Hugs

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  9. BrookeApril 10, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    An Irish Chain is on my "wish list" of future quilts. It is such a classic and stunning pattern. I love the green. It is wonderful!!

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  10. MarthaApril 11, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    A friend of mine and I were just talking about our favorite quilt patterns last night and I told her I had always wanted to make an Irish Chain. Your's is beautiful. I love it.

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  11. UnknownApril 11, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    Very nice. Just how did you get that huge quilt thru the neck of your machine? I did the same on a toddler quilt but managed to pull my shoulder out doing it Was out of commission for way too long and can't quilt with one arm :(

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  12. funtalkermittsApril 11, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Jean, I realize I am a tad late in commenting on your beautiful quilt,I love it! The quilting is absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing this with everyone, and I hope it stays forever on display on your bed! Isn't it wonderful that everyone is sharing what is on their beds?

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  13. AnonymousApril 11, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    Beautiful quilt! I love it! I have been wanting to do an Irish Chain, but never have. Since the quilting in the center of the blocks is so spectacular, I may not ever do one. Quilting is NOT my specialty!

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  14. trishApril 17, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Oh what a gorgeous quilt!! :o)

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  15. Tami CDecember 19, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    I was browsing through some links that were on a post of Bonnie Hunter called "What’s on YOUR Bed? ((Linky Party!)) " and I ran across yours. I thought your Double Irish Chain was really pretty and was very impressed with the quilting you had done in the large white squares. I haven't don't very well with free-motion quilting either and was interested in what kind of a sewing machine did you buy that does quilting embroidery. I'd appreciate if you could let me know what kind you bought. Thanks so much, Tami Chaulk

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