Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt Block

Scrap Buster Blocks is a series of scrap quilt block tutorials that are designed to bust through your scraps with the Accuquilt GO! QUBE Mix & Match block sets. Grab your scrap buckets/tubs/drawers, and let’s make some scrappy quilt blocks!

The great thing about the GO! QUBE Mix & Match sets is that while I’m using the 8” Block set for my quilt blocks, you could just as easily use any size QUBE that you have as the shape numbers are all the same! You will just need to adjust the size of your fabric cuts accordingly.

It’s also important to note that these blocks are made at 150% of the Qube size. That means that the finished quilt block will be 150% bigger than the size of the Qube set:

• 6” Qube – 9” (finished) blocks
• 8” Qube – 12” (finished) blocks
• 9” Qube – 13.5” (finished) blocks
• 10” Qube – 15” (finished) blocks
• 12” Qube – 18” (finished) blocks

These instructions are written a little differently to normal so that you can use whatever scraps you might have, regardless of the size of the piece of fabric – if it covers the die you need, even if it’s just one small square or half-square triangle, you’re good to go. This is why the cutting instructions tell you how many you need from each die in total.

Materials:

1. Assorted prints and background fabrics
2. AccuQuilt GO! Big, GO! Cutter or GO! Baby Cutter Fabric Starter Set
3. AQ55776 GO! QUBE Mix & Match – 8” Block set:
   • Shape 1 Square – 4” Finished
   • Shape 2 Square – 2” Finished
4. AQ55137 GO! Cutting Mat 6 x 6

Cutting Instructions:

From print fabrics:

1. Using Shape 2, cut twelve squares

From background fabrics:

2. Using Shape 1, cut four squares
3. Using Shape 2, cut eight squares

Sewing Instructions:

NOTE: All seams are ¼“, (6mm). Press the seams open unless otherwise specified

1. Pair 8 print squares (Shape 2) with 8 background squares (Shape 2) and sew them together. Press seams toward the print.
2. Pair the units from step 1 and sew them together to create a four-patch. Press the seams open.

3. Pair the remaining print squares (Shape 2) and sew them into pairs. Press the seams open. Sew the pairs together to create a four-patch and press the seam open.
4. Arrange the units and remaining background squares (Shape 1) to create the block layout, and sew them into rows. Press seams open.
5. Sew the rows together. Press seams open.

Outside The Block:

The last part of these tutorials for Scrap Buster Blocks will include some various quilt layout options to inspire you to think outside the box (or block!) of how you can use these blocks to create fun quilts.

There is of course the standard grid layout option. And with the Scrappy Irish Chain quilt block, it creates the double diagonal lattice look.

An alternative take on the traditional grid layout is to alternate pieced blocks with large background squares that are the same size as the blocks. This is a great way to make a bigger quilt more quickly! If you wanted to bust even more scraps, you could piece those alternate squares from nine Shape 4 squares to make a nine-patch.

And lastly, how about turning the blocks on point?! This creates a very different lattice look. You can use the GO! Setting Triangles to help accurately cut the corner and edge triangles, although do remember that this pattern is for blocks that are 150% of the Qube size, so for these 12″ blocks made from the 8″ Qube, you will need the 12″ Setting Triangles die.