Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Scrappy Happy Irish Chain!

1800's reproductions...1930's prints...batics...plaids...solids...every print imaginable...and even a few precious squares that my mother cut with pinking shears in the 1960's....it is all in here! Every two inch square I own is in this quilt...12 squares were left over, and they will go back into the 2 inch bin, and I will collect them again! This is one humongous quilt, ladies...and I have a bunch of blocks left over...should I make the quilt super huge, or make another quilt altogether?

Leftover blocks.....about two dozen left over.
A couple in our neighborhood was having a garage sale this past Friday....and we walked by...and I spied plaid shirts! These are all size XL...he apparently had gone on a diet and lost weight, and was selling his shirts. 50 cents each...now really, who could resist that??



((((((((((((((((((((((((((Things on my mind)))))))))))))))))))))))))


I am watching the Chilean miners getting rescued on the news....I was tearful and so anxious about them getting out alive last night, I can just imagine how their families feel! I can just imagine my dear husband or son down there...crazy-making for sure!!! I am praying for them all to get out just fine...and wouldn't it be unnerving to be the very last one out??



Have a great day!!

Julie

44 comments:

Amelia said...

Maybe scrappy - but such a beauty - looks like one to warm you on a cold winter night.

Those extra large shirts should produce some large areas of fabric...good buy!

Terry said...

What a beautiful quilt! I'd love to make enough blocks for a king size quilt so I can use it on my bed, but I've got a LONG way to go! LOL

I've been watching the rescue of the miners too and it's just so amazing! I think there are rescue workers at the bottom too so one of them will be the last one to come up. Even so...I wouldn't want to be down there alone!

Wilma Lee said...

Love the scrappy quilt!!!

MARCIE said...

GREAT scrappy quilt! Isn't it fun to give all those precious pieces a home!

Lori said...

I love it!! How fun to use up so many squares!!!

Karen said...

You made the Irish Chain fast!

Diane N said...

I LOVE your scrappy quilt! I say make it huge!

Diane N said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle said...

Your Irish Chain looks awesome! I can't tell how big it is now, but I would make it big enough for your bed. If it's already that big, maybe you can use the extra blocks for a toddler quilt or two for charity? Good job!

Mary Lou Casada said...

Julie, I've been watching your progrss on the 2" squares -- and the quilt has turned out spectacular! I love it. All the quilty snobs scoff at simple blocks -- squares and rectangles, and the like -- but true quilters know that sometimes the simple designs shine the best -- yours certainly does!! :-) Beautiful work (as usual!)
Blessings,
Mary Lou

Anonymous said...

Two inch squares, huh? This is great... I really like it! And a great stash buster as well.

And those shirts!... what a bargain!

Love your header quilt too... do you have info on your blog about it? I am a new follower so don't know if it is new or older. Thanks!

Kristie said...

Very beautiful! That is one of my favorite traditional patterns! Such memories in all of those fabrics.
Kristie

Nancy said...

Well, you have created another stunning quilt. Great Job!

Jen said...

Gorgeous! I agree with the above poster about making it at least as big as your bed. I'd shoot for king size, then start saving for another one, I guess! That's definetley a steal on those shirts. I use men's shirts a lot, normally when I get them XL for $1.00 or less or when they are given to me. Free fabric, plus I like the idea of recycling fabric!

Joan said...

Go for broke - make it huge - its lovely. What fun to quilt it :)

Jeanne said...

Love your scrappy Irish Chain quilt! Isn't it neat how so many different fabrics all 'play well' and make something beautiful? I've been watching the miners, also, and pray they are all out soon. Great buy on the shirts!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

I love your Irish chain quilt blocks! I've always wanted to make one, but haven't... yet. I'd love to make it scrappy like that!

Great find on the shirts!
Been watching the miners too~ what a miracle!
Have a happy day!

Regina said...

LOVE that quilt! Can you do some throw pillows from the leftovers?? I am working on a "confetti" with 2" squares - from "all walks of life" - can't wait to be able to share it!

Nice score on the shirts- I hope you did better than I did - I got a a bunch only to find out that half of them were a cotton/poly blend that I forgot to check for. One became an art smock for my son... not sure what to do with the rest yet.

Susan said...

How mind boggling.........It is wonderful....... Great work there.

Helen in the UK said...

It's a wonderful quilt and to only have a few squares left is wonderful! Congrats :)

Loris said...

Beautiful work! 2" squares...does that mean they finish at 1 1/2"? It looks wonderful!
And the shirtings...Wow! Good find! The plaids are beautiful and will look lovely cut up :-)
My prayers are with those miners too..as well as their families.

Sharon said...

I'd use the blocks on pillow cases or on the back. It turned out great. Yes, I"ve got the tv on at work today, so far the rescue is still going as planned, Thank goodness.
Leaders/enders. I'm the same as you, I started making them and then turned it into a fulltime project, I have no patiences when the mood strikes to make something!

Angie said...

Julie, that is a WONDERFUL quilt! What a treasure to have some squares that your Mom cut out in the 60's. You are such an inspiration to me. :) That was an awesome buy on those XL plaid shirts!!

Floss said...

Great scrappy quilt. Nice to use fabrics that have memories attached to them.

Paula, the quilter said...

Why don't you use the blocks in a pillow topper? You know, long and skinny like a table topper. But a pillow topper allows you to just spread the quilt on the bed under the pillows and then you place the topper over the pillows. Great American Quilt Factory has pics:
http://greatamericanquilt.com/bookimages/toppers.html

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Gorgeous Julie.....I have been watching the story on the miners as well, remarkable story...

Leeanne said...

We hAve been watching the rescue here in New Zealand too and I can only imagine the relief of the families to be getting them all back.
Love the scrappy Irish chain, love those open spaces for quilting.Oh plaid shirts...what a bargain!XL has plenty of fabric for you to play with.

Ali Honey said...

I love your Irish Chain quilt. The white against the colours makes it clean and crisp and bright.

WE too are watching the miners' rescue. So glad to have a good news item! We are proud that a kiwi played a part in it . ( designed tiny equipment for each miner to wear that monitors his vital signs. )

Quite an achievemnet. Good luck to them all.

*karendianne. said...

What an absolutely beaming quilt! Delightful. :) Yippie!

Aliene said...

Beautiful Quilt. I am just entering the quilting world and love it. I would like to invite you to join my blog.

Elyte said...

It looks fabulous Julie. I am chipping away at the same thing but with 1" finished squares.It is moving along slowly, no hurry.

Unknown said...

What a georgous quilt, Julie and wasn't that fun having that 4 patch swap. You really had a bunch of swappers. I think maybe you are going to have to make another Irish chain.

It looks like the minners are all getting out and in great sprits. What a day.

Quilter Kathy said...

Wow! Great job! I would keep the blocks to start the next one...or put them into the backing.

Jansie said...

Beautiful quilt! Amazing.

WoolenSails said...

Beautiful quilt, love that pattern.
I should start looking at shirts in the thrifts, I bet I could get some nice homespuns that way.

Debbie

Nifty Quilts said...

Wowie! That's some awesome plaid quilt! Thanks for checking into my blog. Glad I've found you!

Janet said...

I love scrappy and I love Irish Chain, I always wanted to do a double or triple one. It's wonderful.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Your quilt is beautiful!

Fiona said...

Who can resist scrappy? Your quilt is just gorgeous.

Becky said...

If you need a large quilt, then make just one. If not, make two:) Love the scrapiness of your quilt. The miners are truly inspirational.

Brigitte said...

Great job. That pattern is one of my favourites.
www.quiltsampler.blogspot.com

Marilyn Robertson said...

Love your Scrappy Irish Chain! You snagged some great shirts!

Texan said...

Love the Irish Chain!

DH just cleaned out his closet, I scarfed up all the cotton shirts and took them to the sewing room!

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, love your Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt...I would probably make a second quilt...grin...Warm Regards Lyn

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...