Irish Chain (Single)

Irish Chain (Single)

Classicbeginnerfive-patch grid

Also known as: Single Irish Chain, Irish Chain

A five-by-five checkerboard; set beside plain blocks, its dark squares join into diagonal chains.

Block Details

Category
Classic
Difficulty
beginner
Grid Type
five-patch
Piece Count
25
Tags
five-patchbeginnertraditional
Also appears in
Five and Seven Patch

Construction Tips

The Single Irish Chain works best with strip piecing. Cut strips the width of one square plus seam allowance. Sew alternating light and dark strips into strip sets. Cross-cut the strip sets into rows, then arrange them in the checkerboard pattern. For quilt assembly, alternate the pieced Chain blocks with plain blocks of the same size to create the signature diagonal chain effect across the quilt surface.

Cutting Chart

10 inch

FabricCut SizeQty
Chain fabric (dark)2.5" square13
Background fabric (light)2.5" square12

Total yardage: 1/4 yard chain, 1/4 yard background

12.5 inch

FabricCut SizeQty
Chain fabric (dark)3" square13
Background fabric (light)3" square12

Total yardage: 3/8 yard chain, 3/8 yard background