Project Quilting 14.1 "The First One"

It's time to begin season #14 of Project Quilting, hosted by Kim at Persimon Dreams and Trish at Quilt Chicken. The first challenge was announced on January 1st, and our deadline is noon CST on Sunday, January 8th.

The theme for the first challenge is "The First One." All entries should be the creator's interpretation of that theme. My immediate thought on reading the challenge was to make an Irish Chain because that was the first quilt I ever made. My sister Karen and I made an Irish Chain quilt together in 1995 as a wedding gift for our brother. She had been quilting for several years prior to that, and I was hooked right from the start!

Irish Chain quilt top, 1995

While debating what to make for the Project Quilting entry, I also realized that I had taught the Irish Chain design in a beginning quilting class in 2001. It turned out to be a poor choice for beginners because of the precision needed for the two different blocks to fit together. I still have one of the quilts I made as a class sample.

Irish Chain quilt, 2001

43" x 63"

I discovered that I also had scraps of the same fabrics used in that quilt. They came together quickly into an Irish Chain placemat, with the very old Cranston Print Works plaid for the back.

Irish Chain placemat, 14" x 18"

That's my entry for the first round of Project Quilting, Season 14! It is also my first new project and first finished project for 2023. Lots of firsts, all in one little placemat!

The next Project Quilting challenge will be posted at noon CST on Sunday, January 15th. Come join the fun!

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA