I have a problem - Triple Irish chain
 

I have went over and over this and can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I am to the point that I believe the pattern is either wrong, or intentionally "different" than other IC's I've seen.

The pattern is found here http://www.mccallsquilting.com/patte....html?idx=8480

I worked in scrappy, reds, blues, blacks with white for my background fabric. It may be difficult to distinguish because of that.
Anyway, here is my first block.


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...12304x1728.jpg

And this is where I started putting the blocks together. See how the background (white) doesn't come out evenly? The white blocks are doubled on one end as are all the joining blocks. I absolutely do not see a way to not have that happen using this pattern. I know sometimes another set of eyes helps. Perhaps you see something I am doing wrong?

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...22304x1728.jpg

There just isn't any other way for that particular design to work out. It's the pattern, not you. That's not a traditional Irish Chain pattern since it combines the two blocks into one.

SQ is right. And you followed the pattern correctly.


I think maybe a sashing strip can fix it.

Hang on...................

Thank you! I was beginning to think I couldn't follow a pattern!

Well I think it looks great and you should keep going with it. The effect is going to be beautiful!

You are doing fine. To "fix", put a sashing strip with 4 blocks (2 on each end) and white, as you will have the same problem as rows go together. Just take your time. It can be frustrating, but right now it looks great! The only other solution is to take a row off one side of each block. Since you are using three colors, your number of edge blocks needs to be divisible by three.

Yep, it needs the sashing.
I outlined the blocks so you can see how the sashing strips were constructed.
You'd need an ouside sashing border as well to complete the Irish Chain effect.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]369323[/ATTACH]

Sometimes I just hate EQ -

Assuming you're using 2" patches:


This is the sashing strip - 11 patches, obviously ONLY 2" patch across.
In your case the top and bottom two patches will be your RWB scraps.
Then a 7 unit size (or 14") piece of the white in between.
The cornerstones will also be a scrap.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]369324[/ATTACH]

Ok, I folded one row out and I *think* this is the way the traditional IC would be? However, it's going to be confusing for me to figure out how to put it together, and after seeing it....not sure I don't like the non-traditional better. Hmmmm

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o2304x1728.jpg

The problem is that this McCall's block was made to be just a block (as for a pillow, maybe), rather than a whole quilt. What you need to do, is take away one column/row, from some of the blocks, in order to eliminate the extra columns and rows.

Here's a better explanation, of how it's supposed to look - http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...t-pattern.html Scroll down, to the Triple Irish Chain.

That seems to be the case after I folded out the block as above. Sheesh, I think you are right, it wasn't meant to be made into a whole quilt.

I went on the internet and found a quilt like yours and every other row has the double whites. So you did read the pattern correctly, it is just a variation of the Irish Chain you weren't expecting.
When I made a double Irish Chain there were two different blocks and this one just has the one block, so it appears easier - maybe it was, don't know. But it will be pretty the more rows you get together. I don't think you will need the sashing, but it would give you another variation.

Thank you all! I believe I have figured out how to drop the one row and have it come out the same. I would just have two different blocks, then when joined they would be right. Whew! *Crossing my fingers*

Great website......

For what what it is worth, Jenny at Missouri has a tute on Irish Chain

Was just looking further, into that link I sent. In the "quilting an Irish Chain," I found this. It shows what that original block would look like, put together. http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...ain-quilt.html Scroll down, almost to the end.

Good! So I see it wouldn't totally be *wrong* to do it this way...lol
I keep going back and looking at the two, and find myself leaning toward the way I have it now ~ the uneven way.

That is a wonderful link. Thank you for being so helpful. I have wanted to do an a triple at some time and this is wonderful.

I really like the way the pattern turned out when put together as in the first photo. Will be a beauty when completed.

I went to the website that Nessie suggested. If you scroll down to the bottom and click on how to quilt a irish chain
http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...ain-quilt.html then scroll down a bit they show the same pattern you have and explain how to put together a full quilt using this pattern.

[QUOTE=alderdweller;5582278]I have went over and over this and can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I am to the point that I believe the pattern is either wrong, or intentionally "different" than other IC's I've seen.[QUOTE]

For this particular pattern to work out the blocks are asymmetrical. If you look at the layout below you'll see what I mean. If you just add another row (see my layout) to the top and left side of your blocks, the pattern will work out beautifully.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]369950[/ATTACH]

I like the first picture the best, I think your pattern is different than a single or double Irish Chain. I think it will be beautiful when it is all together. I don't really like the sashing for it. Just my Opinion.

No, I think it's the pattern. You can tell, though, that the white areas will turn by 90 degrees every horizontal row (see how the single white square is on the sides in the center, but will be at the top and bottom in the next row when you add more blocks?). That might be interesting, anyway. I think it looks nice :)

I think the problem is that the center of the IC block is 5 squares across, an odd number. Because of that, you can't ever put two blocks together and get the same center (will always be even: 2*x=even #).

If you wanted to "fix" it, you could leave off the outermost squares on a block, then make a sashing to finish it off. You could probably work it so that one of the rows of squares that you take off would make the sashing. Then you'll have 2*2+1=5 squares across and the intersections of the blocks will look just like the centers of the blocks.

Your colors are great in this ,but the triple chain will look different with the scrapes instead of the solids, that is how in the pattern. so nothing is wrong with either you or the pattern.

I beleive that there is a white block with four colored squares that go next to your block.

Week, I think it looks great, but if you just want one white block as they join, and you haven't constructed all you blocks, I would just eliminate one row on two adjoining sides. Then it should go together the way you want.

I have to say I would continue on as instructed, it looks better than the sample of the folded edge. Save the traditional for another quilt.

It looks great. I think the question now is not "how to fix it" (that's been answered), but "which do I like the best"? Either will be very nice and I love the scrappy look. I like it without adding sashing.

Like the non-traditional pattern. thanks for sharing the link to the pattern. I think I will try it.

However you figure out to fix this one, your colors are great.

I think it's lovely as it is. I wouldn't change anything. I would put a border on it after it's pieced, and quilt away. You are doing a great job with your tiny piecing!

Use the sashing strips like MTS suggested. It looks like an easy way to get the top to look 'traditional' and you won't have to 'think' when you are making the rest of the blocks.

Looking at the link you gave it looks like you followed the pattern correctly. The quilt will be beautiful when you finish. Be sure to post pictures when you are finished

I would eliminate the row you folded back. While the original looked ok, I think you would hate it always looking like you did it wrong. Just my humble opinion. Your fabric selection looks wonderful.

Here is the (almost) finished product, still have some thread clipping and label to makehttp://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...irishchain.jpg.

I would make the outside row of small squares smaller, so that when the big blocks are joined they make a small square same size as others if you wish to make quilt without sashing.

It's beautiful. I love it.