Ok so I've decided to make the Irish Chain for my daughter and stick with the plan when I bought the fabric :) I'm wondering though, does anyone know of any good machine applique patterns for flowers or something cute that I can put in some of the blocks? Also, are you able to wash machine applique without the blocks falling apart? I've never made something and washed it before :) Thanks!

Yes, if you use good quality fabric and you "catch" enough of the appliqued fabric, you can wash the quilt. Also, if you use a fusible web it help to prevent fraying.

I have seen an irish chain with small hearts and stars randomly appliqued in the center of the plain block (block without the chain on it)

I have put a shamrock out line in white in some of the spaces. Turn out very well.

I did an Irish Chain for my GD and apliqued a heart in each block and it has been washed many times. However its time for a new one as that one is wearing out

I hand stitched a large shamrock in the blanks

I had the quilting itself be the design in those blocks.

The hearts are really pretty. I did Celtic designs in my grandson's Irish chain.

beautifully done!

My Irish chain has trapunto shamrocks in the open areas

Gorgeous !