Double Irish Chain using EQ8

Double Irish Chain

3/3/2018

Do you have a quilt that got you interested in quilt making?

Here is mine. My grandmother made the following quilt for me (probably in the late 60s or early 70s). I loved the quilt and when it began to wear out I wanted another one for my bed.

Irish Chain quilt made by Martha Keller for her granddaughter Kari Schell.

When I look at it today, it isn't very "inspiring" -- but I still treasure it as a gift from my grandmother. She has been gone for many decades -- but her memory and her handiwork -- are still with me.

Note that she appliqued the corners on the alternate blocks. There were no rotary cutting tools available to her. It was also hand quilted (and is probably the only hand quilted quilt that will ever grace my bed).

Close Up of the Irish Chain Quilt made by Martha Keller.

This go me thinking about designing an Irish Chain quilt in EQ8. What would I do differently in my design?

In my EQ8 video tutorial, I take you through my thought process as I design this quilt. I also decided to incorporate a shamrock wreath quilting design I created in Art and Stitch. In the video tutorial, I will share will you how to use a .exp file to insert quilting designs on your EQ8 quilt.

Here are a couple of photos of my designed quilt.

Irish Chain Close Up

Irish Chain Quilt designed by Kari Schell in EQ8.

If you are interested in purchasing the digitized quilting design used in my quilt (for either longarm or embroidery machines), click here.

Irish Eyes Quilt Pattern

Irish Eyes includes instructions for a lap quilt with 12 inch blocks and two miniature quilts with 6 inch blocks.

Pair this pattern with Studio 180 Design's Tucker Trimmer (or your favorite half square triangle square up ruler) for a perfect bundle.

Irish Eyes retails for $10. Find it at your local quilt shop -- or purchase directly from me.

Shamrock Quilting Designs

Check out my complete set of Shamrock quilting designs. Many of these designs include multiple sizes (with one of the sizes conducive to the small 4" machine embroidery hoops).

There are also both embroidery and quilting formats included with the downloads for these patterns. (No need to purchase separately.)

Would you prefer a bundle with the piecing pattern plus all 8 designs? It is currently on sale for $30 (50% off) this week. Purchase here.

Shamrock Wreath

Shamrock Motif with Long Stem

Shamrock Motif with Short Stem

Four Shamrock Block

Shamrock Border

Shamrock Border Used as a Pantograph (30% offset for row 2 suggested)

Shamrock Sashing

Shamrock Triangle

Nested Shamrocks

Shoot for the Stars with EQ8

Are you just getting started with Electric Quilt 8 and need some help?

Shoot for the Stars is designed to get you started with Electric Quilt 8 through training delivered straight to your inbox. This series includes 14 short (ie. 5-10 minute) videos delivered over the course of a month allowing you to learn the basics of this complex program in bite size increments.

The class is currently on sale for $25 (regular $35). Join now.

Happy quilting.

Kari

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