May 2025 Island Batik Challenge - Irish Chain

This month for our Island Batik Ambassador challenge we had a generous sponsor of Accuquilt. They have an amazing cutting system for a wide variety of quilt designs, strips, blocks, and applique pieces. Be sure to check out the variety of options on their website - Quilting Tools and Accessories - AccuQuilt . Thank you for your providing us with another fun challenge!

The challenge was to use their Irish chain die to make an Irish Chain quilt. GO! Irish Chain-10" Finished Die - AccuQuilt

The first "challenge" was to find a layout that was unique. Having made multiple Irish chain quilts previously I wanted something that was outside the box. I hit Pintrest (my go-to place for inspiration). I found a design that I kept getting drawn to but it didn't look like an Irish Chain. After continuing to go back to the same design, Imagine my shock and surprise to learn it was a FREE download from of all places ACCUQUILT.... well that made the decision easy!

Pattern Link GO! Irish Chain Diamond Quilt Pattern - AccuQuilt

The fabric was provided by Island Batik of Lumin Fabrics and is called Earthy Enchantment. What stunning earth tones! Thank you, Island Batik, for providing such inspirational fabrics to work with!

Since I am one for instant gratification when I am creating - here is the finished product! This reminds me of the Log Cabin block where color placement means everything. This is the traditional Irish Chain, but the placement of the fabric changes everything!

Fabric and Thread

The fabric was provided by Island Batik and we all got something different (well not all of us, but there were 12 different bundles and with over 22 Ambassadors that meant most of the lines had 2 Ambassadors. Be on the lookout for Solomae Stoycoff blog today to see what she did with this line! Her work has been stunning so the pressure is on!

Here is what I picked

I started this project out with another new needle from Schmetz (please remember to change your needles at times other than just when it breaks!! - Why do we spend so much money on our machines and then ignore the things like needles when they are so inexpensive?)

Schmetz was generous in providing us with needles for all of our projects. Please use quality products in your machines!

Cutting

Our sponsor for this months challenge was Accuquilt. Quality fabric and accurate cutting is critical to setting yourself up for success. With Accuquilt you get consistent cuts every time. I have to be honest, I was concerned when I started this challenge about how much fabric waste I would have using a cutting system. Wait till you see the waste!!!!

The cutting machine and die were provided and can be found at www.accuquilt.com.

Now I just needed to press my fabrics and get them cut! The new Olisio iron made qucik work of the pressing!

Waste!!!!! I HATE WASTE!

Did I mention that I HATE waste! Let's face it, quality fabric is not cheap and I hate when I waste fabric. So like I said, how much wast was a cutting machine going to create? Well here you have it

I cut this entire quilt and this was my waste! To say I was shocked is an understatement. How much more efficient could this be? Let's face it, this "hobby" and it's tools are not inexpensive, but now I am a convert to the true value of systems such as the AccuQuilt! I know I had more waste than this in my other Irish Chains that I have done over the years.

Sewing Sewing Sewing

Time to start piecing. I want to point out one of the coolest details from using the cutter Do you see the corners and how they are cut? This made lining up the blocks so accurate. I was concerned when I started if my block was actually going to be square. After all, I am used to techniques that allow for an eventual trim down at the end. Who needs to trim down when it is this accurate .... now I am starting to figure it out .... ACCUrate and ACCUquilt.

Check out those corners!

The blocks are coming together, and I am almost there.

Now time for the borders!

Ready for the longarm!

Ooops ... I forgot to get a picture of it on the longarm, but thank you to Hobbs batting for providing such an easy to work with product for our batting!

Finished!

Final thoughts. I did not go into this challenge intimidated like I did the first one. After all it is an Irish Chain and I have made many of these. What was new and different for me was the fabric layout, and the cutting. This was a game changer for me! The use of the AccuQuilt set me up for success in a way I did not anticipate. As a national educator, I often tell me students to do things that will set themselves up for success during the process, and this exceeded those expectations. I think it is time for me to hit the AccuQuilt web site and check out all their other dies. I had no idea they had so many other traditional blocks. The "block" system they have also is something I will be exploring more about. This challenge was fun and I am very happy that I was able to not only use AccuQuilts cutting system, their die, but also utilized one of their patterns.

Be sure to checkout the rest of the Island Batik Ambassador challenges this month. Also be sure to vote for your favorite this month for an opportunity to win fabric!

If you want to join me, or just follow me on this adventure, please connect with me on the following platforms! I will be sharing monthly video updates on youtube complete with "how to" videos as well as my experience with each project. This should be fun!

Connect with me at:

➡️ WEBSITE: Kimberlysquilts.com 

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➡️ Youtube:          Kimberlys Quilts