Super Scrappy Triple Irish Chain Block - A Tutorial

I am so excited about today!!!  For the longest time I have wanted to make a Triple Irish Chain but I wanted it to be a super scrappy one.   I have put it off and put it off, because that is a ton of little squares to sew together, like as in 121 per block :)  But the other day, I remembered August was my month for the Beejeebers block and I knew my bee friends would help make this long time wish a reality :)  So here she is, the first block of my Super Scrappy Triple Irish Chain all finished :)

And since my wonderful bee friends are helping me to make more blocks, I whipped up a little tutorial for them ;)  Which means, you can play along too!!!  Who knows, maybe you will use it for your next bee month ;)  For my blocks, I have chosen a specific color theme and will write the tutorial based on that color theme, but feel free to choose your colors however you please.  The skies the limit, do it totally color scrappy, do it each block a different color combo, do it however you like ;)

To Start - You will need:

Lots of Scraps!!!
I will be using scraps in
     Yellow, Navy (or dark blue), Medium Grey, and Low Volume (white on white prints)

STEP 1 - CUTTING

To make 1 block, from your scrap piles cut the following number of 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares from the designated colors.
    36 - Low Volume squares
    36 - Medium Grey squares
    28 - Navy Blue squares
    21 - Yellow squares

Honestly, I think cutting took longer than piecing the whole block.  There really is no speedy way to cut through your scraps, just stick to it and know that you are busting those scraps ;)

STEP 2 - PIECING THE CORNER BLOCKS

Layout 4 Yellow squares, 6 Grey squares, 4 Navy squares, and 2 White squares as shown below.

Sew the squares into rows.  To do this, I like to align the first and second squares in the row with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge, then repeat that for the third and fourth squares in the row.  That gives you 2 pairs.  Now align the 2 pairs with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge to make a row.   Repeat for all 4 rows (**chain stitching here saves time ;)

Press the first and third row to the left and the second and fourth row to the right.  This will allow your rows to nest together and gives you nice crisp points :)

Now you are ready to sew the rows into a Corner Block.  Place the first row onto the second with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Repeat for the third and fourth row.

Now place the first and second paired rows onto the third and fourth paired rows with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Press the seams in your Corner Block open.

Repeat the steps above to make 4 blocks total.  **Note - If you want to speed it up a bit and aren't worried about where each print ends up, you can chain stitch each of the steps above. Row 1 and 4 are the same and Row 2 and Row 3 are the same. So you can simply chain stitch 8 Yellow/Grey square pairs, 8 Blue/White square pairs, 8 Grey/Yellow pairs, and 8 Grey/Blue pairs.  This speeds up the pairs of 2 process and you are ready to start making rows, which you can layout and chain stitch once again :)

STEP 3 - PIECING THE SIDE BLOCKS

Layout 7 White squares, 3 Navy squares,  and 2 Gray squares as shown below.

Sew the squares into rows.  To do this, I like to align the first and second squares in the row with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  That gives you a pair.  Now align the third square in the row with the pair with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge to make a row.   Repeat for all 4 rows (**chain stitching here saves time ;)

Press the first and third row to the left and the second and fourth row to the right.  Once again, This will allow your rows to nest together and gives you nice crisp points, and we all love crisp points :)

Now you are ready to sew the rows into a Side Block.  Place the first row onto the second with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Repeat for the third and fourth row.

Now place the first and second paired rows onto the third and fourth paired rows with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Press the seams in your Side Block open.

Repeat the steps above to make 4 blocks total.  **Note - Once again, you can speed things up by chain stitch each of the steps above. You can simply chain stitch 8 White/White pairs, 4 Blue/White pairs, and 4 Grey/ Blue pairs.  Then you can chain stitch the last square in each block onto the pairs to finish making your rows.

STEP 4 - PIECING THE CENTER BLOCK

Layout 5 Yellow squares, and 4 Grey squares as shown below.

Sew the squares into rows.  This is just like the last block.  Align the first and second squares in the row with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  That gives you a pair.  Now align the third square in the row with the pair with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge to make a row.   Repeat for all 3 rows.

Press the first and third row to the left and the second row to the right.  Once again, nesting is the goal here :)

Now you are ready to sew the rows into a Center Block.  Place the first row onto the second with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Then repeat to add the third row to the now pieced first and second row.

Press the seams in your Center Block open.    You only need one of these Center Blocks so you are ready to move on.

STEP 5 - PIECING THE SUPER SCRAPPY TRIPLE IRISH CHAIN BLOCK

With all of your small unit blocks made you are ready to make a Big Block!!!   Layout your 4 Corner Blocks, 4 Side Blocks, and 1 Center block as shown below.

Now it is just like before only with more seams ;)  You will sew the blocks into rows.  So Align the first and second blocks in the row with right sides together and nest and pin each seam. (and yes, I pin each and every seam, this helps with those crisp points :)   Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Now align the third block in the row and the remainder of the row with right sides together and nest and pin each seam.  Once again, sew a 1/4" seam along the edge to make a finished row.   Repeat for all 3 rows.

Press all of the seams open.  This will allow the block to lie nice and flat.   Almost done!!!

Now, you just have to sew the three rows together.   Place the first row onto the second with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the nested seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.  Then repeat to add the third row to the now pieced first and second row.

Press the two seams open.

And now stand back and enjoy your beautiful Super Scrappy Triple irish Chain Block!!!!    Isn't it just so fun!!!  This block should measure appx. 22 1/2" x 22 1/2".  It will finish at 22" x 22" when put in the quilt ;)

I hoped you enjoyed this tutorial ;)  These blocks are super fun to make and a little addicting ;)

Once, you have your blocks made, you can put them all into a quilt top.

4 blocks would be a 2 x 2 layout and would measure 44" x 44", perfect for a baby quilt
12 blocks would be a 3 x 4 layout and would measure 66" x 88", for a large lap quilt
16 blocks would be a 4 x 4 layout and would measure 88" x 88", fit for a queen :)

Whatever size you make, lay the blocks into rows as described above.  Then pin and sew the Blocks into rows.  You will want to pin each seam to ensure everything lines up.    Press the seams open, or if you don't like the seams open, press the seams in opposite directions from row to row.  Then pin and sew the rows together, finishing the quilt top. Once again, pinning each seam will help align everything so you get lots of pretty squares lined up.   Press the seams open.

Then with your quilt top done, you are ready to Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It.  I know, a lot of work in one little sentence.   If you are unsure on how to do this, you can see my Quiltmaking Basics video tutorials that go over these three steps in detail ;)

Then just sit back and enjoy snuggling in your new quilt ;)  I made a Queen size verison and am so loving it!!!  If you do make your own Super Scrappy Triple Irish Chain Quilt I would love to see it.  You can add it to my Flickr group here  or email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com  ;)

Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!

Adding this Super Scrappy Triple Irish Chain Block Finish to Sarah's and Amanda's.

Winner and Upcoming

Hello All!!!  Today I am excited to choose 2 winner for the Fun Size Quilts Book Giveaway!!!

So let's get right to that ;)

The winner of the e-book from Martingale Publishing is . . .   #284 . . . Congrats Anne D!!!

And the winner of the paper book from me is . . . #203 . . .Congrats KatheG

Thanks again to all those that entered ;)  If you didn't win today, be sure to check out the Shabby Fabrics Giveaway I am currently hosting ;)  You can win a Layer Cake of Miss Kate!!!

And last, but not least, I am playing with some scrappy squares today because tomorrow starts my month for the Beejeebers Bee :)  Today's playing will  also result in a fun block tutorial for me bee mates that you can enjoy too!  Be sure to pop back in tomorrow :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

It's Back!!!

Yes, the long arm came back from the shop!!!  And  my oh my, is it running smooth now ;)  Somehow the presser foot had gotten locked up in an internal gear so the foot would no longer "hop" which was causing all kinds of issues.   But now she is back and I am quilting away!!  I am doing one of my new favorites, an all over feathered swirl :)

And I am using my favorite new color, 402 Pearl in So Fine by Superior Threads.   It blends so well I had a hard time getting any of the quilting to show up in a picture.  And I will admit, a few times it blended so well I might have quilted overtop of previous stitching, oops ;)  I love, love, love how it blends!!

And speaking of Superior Threads, the guys over there put together this hilarious parody video that they let me check out ;)  I will share the full video later but here is a little trailer to peek your curiosity :)

To Funny :)    Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Welcome Shabby Fabrics and a Giveaway!!!

Today I am so excited to welcome Shabby Fabrics as Happy Quilting's newest sponsor!!!  Shabby Fabrics was born out of a need to gather the most beautiful fabrics on earth and put them under one roof.They are all about the fabrics you adore.  Shabby Fabrics is owned by a Christian family that holds integrity, honesty, loyalty, hard work, and compassion as their highest values. 

Shabby Fabrics truly carries some of the most  beautiful fabric on earth.  Whether you are looking for basics or color bundles to build your stash,  breathtaking batiks, or even just your favorite designers most recent line, Shabby Fabrics will have a beautiful bundle of it :).  Shabby Fabrics also has a Fabric Search by Color option, one of my favorite tools for building my stash!!

    

  

   

Beyond their beautiful fabrics, Shabby Fabrics also has some pretty amazing things to offer!  One thing that I particularly love is their ability to offer laser-cut applique kits.  Now, if you have been around here for a bit you know that I love applique, but the cutting of applique, not so much.  With Shabby Fabrics laser-cut applique kits, that part is already done.  The Kit comes with each applique piece is pre-fused and laser-cut. All you have to do is peel off the backing, place the pieces on the background, press in place, and stitch to secure - it's that easy!   And they have a huge variety of kits to choose from including kits made for their own gorgeous Shabby Fabrics patterns!!  I so want to make these!! 

  

      

  

Shabby Fabrics also has several Block of the Month programs!!  Block of the Month programs are such a fun way to tackle a quilt with a new block to complete each month.  And some of those programs even offer the laser-cut applique kits as mentioned above ;)  Shabby Fabrics just opened 2 new Block of the Month Programs, C is for Christmas and Rose Hill Lane.

          

          

Shabby Fabrics also just started a brand new YouTube channel.  There, you will find wonderful videos with tricks on applique, techniques for piecing, spotlights on some of their block of the month programs, and highlights on new collections arriving at the shop.  So fun!!

And with all of those new collections arriving and being highligted at the Shabby Fabrics, of course, a little room has to be made with results in a fabulous ON SALE section of Shabby Fabrics!!!  You will find all sorts of beautiful fabrics, patterns, and kits and all at amazing closeout prices!!

       

      

Shabby Fabrics stands by their promise to treat each of their customers with the kindness and respect.  They assure your satisfaction with their  products and customer service and hope you will share the good news of their website with your family and friends. I know.

I know I am so excited to have Shabby Fabrics as part of the Happy Quilting Family and am happy to share their wonderful shop with each of you, my Happy Quilting Family ;)  Welcome Shabby Fabrics!!!!

 And as part of their welcome debut here at Happy Quilting, Shabby Fabrics is giving away a brand new, just arrived at their shop, Miss Kate Layer Cake by Bonnie and Camille  to one lucky reader!!!   Can I just say I love this line!!!!  

You have two chances to win, please leave a separate comment for each.  And since Shabby Fabrics is new here, I thought it might be nice for your entries to allow you to get acquainted :)

1 - Sign up for the Shabby Fabrics Newsletter and leave a comment here that you did so or already do.  

2 - Follow Shabby Fabrics.  You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, You Tube or their Blog.   Pick one or several and then leave a comment of where you are following.

And that's it :) The giveaway will close on Monday the 4th of August  and I will announce a winner Tuesday Morning.    Good Luck to everyone ;)

 Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!