Opinions, Please
 

I am wanting to make an Irish Chain quilt for my dear neighbor who loves pink. The problem is that I have not seen one in pink without it making me think of a little girl's bedroom or nursery. Is it possible to make one for an adult person? This would be a larger throw quilt for cozying up to read on the couch.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

Why not? If you are going scrappy pull from a whole range of pinks from light to fuchsia. Your background color may influence the over all look too. Hey, pink is pink! If your neighbor likes pink then just go for it and not worry yourself about if you IC looks to little girlish or not. She will love that you took her pink passion into consideration in the quilt you make especially for her.

I agree with Teach - pull a range of pinks, salmons, peaches, fuchsias, oranges, maybe even dip a toe into the purple range, etc and it will be drop-dead gorgeous. To help you visualize, here is one that Jessie Aller designed. I don't think it reads little-girlish or baby at all.

I was thinking something more like this pic. Use a very light pink where the light grey is, a couple of pink figured fabrics that increase in density or vibrancy in the middle and then a darker rosy pink where the black is in the photo. It could be perfectly pink paradise!!

I just finished one for my grown daughter, in crepe back satin. I will try to attach a photo.
I think it worked. It is in pinks ranging from dark rose to dusty rose with cream as the background.

That mix is absolutely beautiful. I love the pinks and burgundy together. It is prettier than I would have imagined. . Yours turned out wonderfully. I see how you got the blocks mixed with colour; mine is going to be a single Irish Chan, but one can still mix the blocks with squares individually, or by each total block. Thank you, I will definitely consider something like this.

It is a pretty quilt, and I can see why it would be just as gorgeous in varied shades of pink. At least it does not look like a child's quilt. Thank you for the picture and the suggestions.

Probably right. I just have something in mind that wants to be elegant instead of cute. But your suggestion to mix the various shades is a good one. I would avoid a pure white background with pale pink, say. It just might work to use pink in different tones and depths after all. Thank you for your suggestion.

Pink floral fabrics would add a lot interest and could look more adultish. The use of a solid color besides pink would add a nice contrast - something in a shade of green (like your pic) or brown maybe.

Several years ago I wanted to make a quilt for my aunt that loved pink. There was a fabric line with bright pink Iris flowers, luckily there were 4 different pinks and iris prints that went together and I made her the rail fence. Did it look totally feminine - yes! And she loved it and used it until she died. Don't worry about what others will think - as long as your friend is happy that is all that matters.

I come from the generation when pink and grey/charcoal were all the rage. I like the suggestion of using pink florals, too. The quilt on my bed right now (wishing I know how to post a picture) is a triple Irish Chain and the dominant chain is a somewhat dark magenta and then I used pink florals that have a white background. It turned out quite pretty if I do say so myself.

Have you considered using an ombre fabric? You would have all the colors that play nicely together and it would create a random spread of colors with what ever you choose for background. I am always surprised by the end result of using ombre fabrics, pleasantly surprised.

I have an older "coffee table' book titled, Living With Quilts by Phyllis George. The cover photo is a pink and white double Irish chain (I think it's a Double Irish Chain). I've kept the book because I love the quilt on the cover. Of course, the staging is perfect. Here's a link to the book on Amazon. It's definitely feminine, but I wouldn't call it "childish".
bkay

skip the light background and use mixed grays

Your quilt sounds lovely and I would have loved a picture, too. Yes, perhaps a more sober colour would be nice in addition to the pinks. I rather like the idea of brown with it.

I had not thought of ombre fabrics. They had completely skipped my mind. Thank you. It would seem an obvious consideration due to the variety of shades inherent in them. I will look into that idea today.

I looked it up and the pictures are shown online. It is definitely feminine which is fine; but I agree that it is not childish; you are exactly right in that is what I wanted to avoid. It looks a fine quilt for an adult. Thanks for leading me to this. Did you make one of these?

I am not fond of grey in quilts for some reason, But I agree a more sober colour, like brown for instance; would certainly make it a bit less childish. Thanks for helping.

The fabric you describe sounds wonderful. I like florals a lot and have seen some stunning iris prints. I don't mind feminine at all.

Throwing in another idea for you, ShelTluvr... being that you said you like florals ...

How about a small floral print that reads light (or even white) for the background? Then for your chains something with more oomph, to ensure contrast, so that the chains sit up nicely against the background print.

And oh, don't forget the backing ... could be the same as the background fabric or a larger floral print, that works with all.

WMUTeach suggested an ombre. Similar but different, there are some nice batiks that will give you variable colours in one fabric. Or look for some of the blenders that have shading within them, as they too can be quite show and give the colour variations, along with some movement.

Your quilt can certainly be feminine and adult'ish ... and not childish!
ShelTluver ... ENJOY the journey!

There's also mauve, rose in the pink family and shouldn't make you think little girl. She'll love it though just because you made it for her.

I am indeed glad that you did throw a new idea out to me. I like the idea of the tone on tone fabric for the background. I have always admired those, and made a quilt that is blue hst contrasted with the tone on tone for the other half. Love it! Nothing childish about that! Thank you for reminding me of those batik prints, too. I had forgotten about those.

Good thought about the TOT for background. I'd actually been thinking of it for the chains. I think the one I really liked was a Stoff (not sure though!) ... it had a shaded background with speckles, and oh my the different tones that came through. Come to think of it, I did use it in an Irish Chain!! It was a medium toned muted pink with grey/black speckles. It was a small floral that I was thinking for the backgrounder. Kind of a switch up from the normal!!

Yes, mauve and rose are beautiful together and by themselves as a block next to one another. Great suggestion.

If I were making this, I would stick to the pink florals and plain fabrics, because that color is what the friend asked for. The florals will give a vintage look rather than childish. Even a white/off white background, or light print would not be out of place.

No, I still haven't made it. I bought the pink, though. It's on the list that gets put aside for community service, grand-nieces and nephews, baby quilts and "I Spy's" for my late husbands great grands.
bkay

Actually, my friend does not know that I am making her the throw. But I also agree that because she likes pink, the pink florals would be best to start with. Plain fabrics too can accentuate the florals, and could be shown in different shades of pink, as someone suggested to make it a bit more adult. I have got same great ideas to ponder because all of you have been so very helpful. Sometimes one goes over and over in one's mind and cannot decide. I like to talk to others to get a fresh or even brand new perspective. Thank you everyone.

Yes, indeed. I think that mixing some of these shades you mentioned with the pink florals would be just the ticket. Thanks for suggesting this.

What about a black background? That could make it very modern and sophisticated, not childish at all.

Well, I had NOT thought of that. I will have to Google some black quilts and see how the might fit in with her tastes. I did see one black quilt that I had to admire; a lady was making one with red and gold gingko leaves on the fabric and the background was black It was being made for a male friend and it was just beautiful. I suppose I could see how a pink floral might mix with black. Thank you for the thought.

Here you go, but it is a double Irish chain
http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/201...-from-fat.html

Oh yes; it is a double which makes it more intense, I think. Not sure if it is my neighbor's style, her house is almost all white. Actually I was thinking of an off white or ivory background. It would be quite dramatic in black, for sure.

Okay, Ladies

I want to thank all of you for your help and suggestions. I posted some pictures in my album to show you the final outcome and what I finally decided upon. All of you brought something to consider. Thanks again.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...46-albums.html

A lovely combo and definitely feminine ... and as you wanted, adultish! :)

I'll look forward to seeing your project come together and into a finished quilt for your friend.

Thank you. I will post snaps of it when I finish it. Hopefully, it won't be too long!

Great!! ... or some pics during the WIP journey, so that we can cheer you on!!
Will you be using the same floral for the backing? Or?
Most importantly, have FUN along the way!!

Great! I can always use being cheered on! Actually, I was thinking of using a backing with a bit of green and pink fabric so that it would reflect the colours of the front. This is because I don't have enough for the backing, too, but also because it would be a nice touch. I will have to find a suitable one as I have nothing like that in my stash. I once sewed some pillow slips with this same rose fabric and the green and pink that went with it; but there is none of that left.