Irish Chain Quilts

from The Country Register NRGP | March/April 2022 Issue

Crocheting Through the Pockets of Time

Irish Chain Quilts by Rachel Greco

Irish Chain Quilts have been a favorite pattern for American quilt makers ever since the early 1800s. According to Quilt Historian Barbara Brackman, the earliest documented date of an Irish Chain quilt in America is 1814. She states in her book Clues in the Calico (1989) that the pattern was possibly derived from geometric double-weaving patterns of that era.

In March 1979, Quilters Newsletter Magazine noted that no documentation had been found to show that the Irish Chain pattern had been brought to America by Irish immigrants, had originated in Ireland or even why this pattern has been dubbed “Irish” chain.

While much of the history of the Irish Chain pattern remains a mystery, today there appears to be evidence to suggest that the pattern may indeed have originated in Ireland. According to an article published at womenfolk.com, a photograph of a quilt in the book West Virginia Quilts and Quilt-makers (2000) shows a quilt made with a pattern that is similar to what we think of today as an Irish Chain quilt. This quilt had been brought to America from Ireland. Made by Margaret Kee in 1805, this quilt was stitched with the linen thread typically used in Ireland at that time. Ms. Kee then brought the quilt to West Virginia in 1807 when she immigrated to America.

There are three different types of Irish Chain quilts. The Single Irish Chain is an easy design where the blocks alternate horizontally between one block of nine mini squares and a solid block of a contrasting color. The Double Irish Chain uses one block of 25 mini squares and an alternate block consisting of nine pieces. The Triple Irish Chain is much more intricate and made with four different colors of fabric. The main blocks have 49 mini squares of fabric with alternate blocks consisting of 25 mini-squares.

Interestingly, the Irish Chain quilt pattern is found in Ireland where it goes by the name “Mosaic” or “American Chain.”

Rachel Greco owns Grandma’s Attic, a traditional quilt shop in Dallas, Oregon. A quilt historian and avid reader, she gives talks on needlework, the role of women in American history, and their connection to fabric. She has written several books and patterns and runs Grandma’s Quilt Club, a monthly quilt class where participants collect quilt blocks, learn about quilt history and make new friends. Learn more at: https://grandmasatticquilting.com.