Irish Chain Quilt and Faded Memories Blog Tour

Looking for the free quilt pattern? Get access to it here!

Over the past few weeks I've had the chance to sew with a new fabric line from Riley Blake Designs, called Faded Memories.  It's designed by Gerri Robinson (Planted Seed Designs).  The line has a mix of pretty, deep reds and blues.  For my project I wanted to keep things simple - and classic.  So I chose to use just a few of the blue prints from the line, and what's more classic than a good ol' Irish Chain quilt?

The navy in this line is such a great navy color - it's not a black-navy, and not a purple-navy.  It's just...navy!  And the lighter blue color is lovely - almost a cornflower blue.

See that blue floral border print?  I chose it because it reminded me of the pretty blue and white pottery (like this) that my mother-in-law used to have displayed in her home years ago.

Irish Chain quilts usually look more complicated than they actually are, and this quilt is no exception.  Strip piecing makes quick work of the nine-patch blocks:

You can make all of the nine patches from one print like I did here, or you could make it scrappy like in this red & white version.  

The finished quilt measures 56" x 68" (throw size).  

I have created a free PDF downloadable pattern for this quilt, as a gift for all of my newsletter subscribers. You can get access to the pattern here. It's a fast and fun, jelly roll friendly pattern that you'll love!

Access the free Irish Chain / Picnic Time quilt pattern here

Patchwork Quilt Along Block Four

Are you ready for another block pattern for the Patchwork Quilt Along?  On the 15th of each month, the Fat Quarter Shop releases another block pattern - and we're up to the fourth block now!

This month's block is called Star & Cross, and you can find the free block pattern here.

This month I didn't sit and make all of the blocks at once.  I had everything cut out and sitting next to my machine.  Then when I had a few minutes I would sit and sew a step or two of each block.

Because we're working with such small pieces, for the half square triangles I prefer to cut them a little bigger (2.5" square) and then trim them to size using my Bloc-Loc ruler.  It just helps to make my blocks a little more accurate.

Don't forget - there's a Patchwork Quilt Along facebook group here, where you can share photos of your blocks and ask any questions you might have.  And you can make a donation to Make-A-Wish Foundation here.

You can also read more on these blogs - all of these quilters will be joining in all year long!

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table