Irish Chain - For Project QUILTING 15.6
How quickly season 15 of Project QUILTING has passed. Each new sessions announcement arrives with anticipation as I ponder how it will fit in my long list of ‘try something new’ goals. Fortunately, the IRISH CHAIN 15.6 challenge addresses two on that list.
The traditional Irish Chain fits well with my Irish family heritage, (maiden name Cassidy.) This design has been on my to-do list for years. Additionally, I’ve been antsy to use my BERNINA L890 Overlock/Serger in the construction of a quilt. After a bit of reading in the BERNINA The BIG Book of Serger Quilting, I was ready to start.
A huge thank you to Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams and Trisha Frankland of Quilt Chicken for sponsoring Project QUILTING each season.
These are the Island Batik and Kona 2-1/2 strips I pulled from my stash to get started. There was an additional hand-dyed that was a perfect fit so those were quickly cut and added to the mix.
Strip sets are being stitched with the 2-thread overlock stitch pictured here. The on screen step by step threading instructions made it a snap to get started. They go together quickly and with amazing 1/4 inch accuracy.
With strip sets stitched, pressed and cut, it was time for a sample block. My prefectionistic tendencies want every seam to match perfectly. Was that possible on a serger? ABSOLUTELY! The chain stitch allowed the seams to nest together easily.
Strip sets are sub cut and stitched.
Auditioning possible negative space blocks.
Rows stitched and ready for final assembly.
An additional 2-1/2 inch strip is added to the outside edges. The original plan included asecond, wider outer border of coordinating batik. Michigan’s unexpected snow dump cancelled that plan of shopping for that fabric.
The machine quilting was completed with my Pro Stitcher with an edge-to-edge design of soft loopy feathers using my go to cream colored Glide 60 thread .
Coordinating batik binding is applied and machine stitched.
This quilt finished at 34 X 45 inches and can be found in my Etsy Shop. I’m linked up to the challenge here.
Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at this link. Visit her Etsy Shop at www.sallymanke.etsy
Sally is a brand Ambassador for BERNINA USA. Stitching on this project was completed on a BERNINA 790 PLUS and BERNINA L890 Serger/Overlock.