Many folks in our great United States have links to the past through the Irish…that would be a great study in itself…Today we talk about the Irish Chain Quilt…”there are many varieties, single, double, triple..on and on…This quilt was made about 1805 and was stitched with linen thread typical of thread used in Ireland. The quilting was done in a popular quilting design used in Ireland at the time. You can see the quilting pattern along with a close up of the fabric to the left. It was brought to West Virginia from Ireland when the maker, Margaret Kee, emigrated here in 1807.² We find this pattern has been used more recently in Ireland sometimes by the name “Mosaic” or “American Chain”.(womenfolk.com)

It is probably one of the most popular pattern for quilters beginning to learn the art of piecing..there are great shortcuts today also, far past the point of piecing each square by hand….my advice is to go to the fonsandporter.com site and watch the video on a 4 patch. They have a great shortcut and accurate every-time!

Anyways! please celebrate your past! We are here today because of the sacrifice of those that went before us….we are not Irish- linked personally, but many in our area are….Notre Dame…  is just a half hour north. I am thinking it has its’ own zip code, ha,….my husband enjoys the sweet Irish songs Celtic Women…we were able to hear them at an old theater in South Bend a couple years ago..the violinist was amazing! River Dance… is our next goal!

So, explore the Irish Chain, the history and gain respect for the history of the Irish! Learn to Clog!.. Enjoy the journey and adventure!!! Quilted Blessings!!!! Kari