About the Double Irish Chain
Irish Chain is one of the oldest American pieced patterns, and it shows up in quilts from the early 1800s. Two blocks alternate. One is a checkerboard of small squares, and the other is mostly background with a square at each corner. Set side by side, the squares join up into diagonal chains that run across the whole quilt. The Double version uses two chain colors, so the lattice looks woven. It's built entirely from strips cut into squares and rectangles, which makes it a classic first quilt that still looks worked-on.
How much fabric for a Double Irish Chain quilt
| Fabric | Baby | Throw | Twin | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric A | 1 yd | 1⅞ yd | 3 yd | 3½ yd | 3⅞ yd | 5½ yd |
| Fabric B | ¾ yd | 1⅜ yd | 2½ yd | 2¾ yd | 3 yd | 3 yd |
| Fabric C | ½ yd | 1 yd | 1⅜ yd | 2 yd | 2 yd | 3¼ yd |
| Backing, 42-in fabric | 2¾ yd in 2 panels | 3⅞ yd in 2 panels | 5½ yd in 2 panels | 7¾ yd in 3 panels | 8¼ yd in 3 panels | 9 yd in 3 panels |
| Backing, 108-in wide | 1⅜ yd | 2 yd | 2¼ yd | 2⅝ yd | 2¾ yd | 3 yd |
| Binding | ½ yd, 5 strips × 2½ in | ⅝ yd, 7 strips × 2½ in | ¾ yd, 9 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 11 strips × 2½ in |
| Batting | 48 × 48 in | 68 × 68 in | 78 × 98 in | 93 × 93 in | 98 × 98 in | 108 × 108 in |
- Baby works from 3 fat quarters plus 1 yd background and ½ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Throw works from 7 fat quarters plus 1⅞ yd background and ¾ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Twin works from 9 fat quarters plus 3 yd background and 1⅝ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Full works from 13 fat quarters plus 3½ yd background and 1⅝ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Queen works from 13 fat quarters plus 3⅞ yd background and 1⅞ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- King works from 19 fat quarters plus 5½ yd background and 1⅛ yd Fabric B for the borders.
Yardage includes a 10 % margin and is worked out from the cutting plan in the pattern, never estimated. 42-in fabric, 40 in usable.
Double Irish Chain quilt sizes
| Size | Finished | Blocks | Block | Borders | Mattress | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 40 × 40 in | 3 × 3 | 10 in | 2 in Fabric A + 3 in Fabric B | — | — |
| Throw | 60 × 60 in | 5 × 5 | 10 in | 2 in Fabric A + 3 in Fabric B | — | — |
| Twin | 70 × 90 in | 5 × 7 | 10 in | 4 in Fabric A + 6 in Fabric B | 39 × 75 in | 15½ in |
| Full | 85 × 85 in | 7 × 7 | 10 in | 2½ in Fabric A + 5 in Fabric B | 54 × 75 in | 15½ in |
| Queen | 90 × 90 in | 7 × 7 | 10 in | 4 in Fabric A + 6 in Fabric B | 60 × 80 in | 15 in |
| King | 100 × 100 in | 9 × 9 | 10 in | 2 in Fabric A + 3 in Fabric B | 76 × 80 in | 12 in |
Baby · 40 × 40 in · a crib, stroller or play-mat quilt Throw · 60 × 60 in · a sofa or lap quilt Twin · 70 × 90 in · fits a 39 × 75 in mattress with a 15½ in drop Full · 85 × 85 in · fits a 54 × 75 in mattress with a 15½ in drop Queen · 90 × 90 in · fits a 60 × 80 in mattress with a 15 in drop King · 100 × 100 in · fits a 76 × 80 in mattress with a 12 in drop
Baby · 3 × 3 blocks · 40 × 40 in 
Throw · 5 × 5 blocks · 60 × 60 in 
Twin · 5 × 7 blocks · 70 × 90 in 
Full · 7 × 7 blocks · 85 × 85 in 
Queen · 7 × 7 blocks · 90 × 90 in 
King · 9 × 9 blocks · 100 × 100 in
What you'll piece
- Baby 5 chain blocks, 4 background blocks, 2 borders
- Throw 13 chain blocks, 12 background blocks, 2 borders
- Twin 18 chain blocks, 17 background blocks, 2 borders
- Full 25 chain blocks, 24 background blocks, 2 borders
- Queen 25 chain blocks, 24 background blocks, 2 borders
- King 41 chain blocks, 40 background blocks, 2 borders
The steps
- Cut strips across the width, then subcut
- Piece the chain blocks
- Piece the background blocks
- Join the blocks into rows
- Add the borders
- Back, quilt and bind
Step names only. Every step is drawn out in the PDF with the measurements for your size.
What's in the PDF
- Cover and fabric key
- Fabric requirements for every size in one table
- Cutting chart: strips first, then subcuts
- Block assembly with pressing directions
- Quilt assembly and borders
- Backing, batting and binding
- A coloring page to plan your fabrics
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See it in color
The same geometry in 7 fabric choices. The blank coloring page below lets you plan your own.
As drafted 
Jewel 
Sunset 
Ocean 
Pastel 
Midnight 
Garden
Plan your colors
The blank layout, free. Print it, try your fabrics with colored pencils, and buy the pattern when you like what you see.
Questions about the Double Irish Chain
- How many blocks for a queen Double Irish Chain quilt?
- 49 blocks, 7 × 7, each 10 in finished.
- How much backing for the king?
- 9 yd of 42-in fabric in 3 panels, or 3 yd of 108-in wide backing.
- Can I use fat quarters?
- Yes. The throw takes 7 fat quarters plus 1⅞ yd of background and ¾ yd of Fabric B for the borders.
- What size is the finished throw?
- 60 × 60 in, a sofa or lap quilt.
- Is it beginner-friendly?
- Beginner: squares and rectangles only, every seam straight.
Ready to make it?
- Sizes Baby to king
- Skill Beginner
- Format PDF, Letter + A4
