Double Irish Chain Handstitched Calico Quilt c 1900

Visit The Gatherings, to see all of the beautiful antique and vintage textiles I have ~ antique clothing, hats, accessories, children's clothing, vintage bed and table linens, antique children's toys, vintage sewing notions, quilts and so much more!

Subscribe to The Gatherings Antique Vintage by Email

The Irish Chain quilt is an attractive quilt made up of rows of fabrics in a small diamond shaped. As these diamonds are linked together forming a larger square the pattern of the chain starts to evolve. The Irish Chain was made in single, double & triple pattern. The one I have photographed is a Double Irish Chain made towards the late 1890's or early 1900's. It features a red with black print calico on a white with black calico. The backing of this quilt is also a white with black print but different than the fabric on the front side. This quilt is all hand stitched in a nicely done manner, however, of simple stitches.

A tidbit of history I read regarding the Irish Chain and thought I would share. A quilt made of Irish Chain was considered one of the 13 quilts in a girl's dowry collection. Irish Chain was probably an early quilting pattern although I didn't find any information to document a date.