The Irish Chain is one of the most universally known patterns dating to pre-American Revolutionary War times. While evidence is lacking that this pattern came from Ireland, it has been suggested that the Irish Chain pattern may have been inspired by a similar Irish weaving pattern. Whatever the origin, the Irish Chain is a timeless pattern that continues to delight quilters today. The original Irish Chain in a Day was first published in 1986 in a black and white format. While this book remains a best seller, Eleanor wanted to update her book and add balance to the quilt. Irish Chain in a Day contains two complete quilt patterns, The Single Irish Chain, and the Double Irish Chain. Geared toward the beginner quilter, the Single Irish Chain is easy and fun to make. It guides a novice step by step through every phase of starting and finishing the quilt. The Double Irish Chain is more complex and offers the seasoned quilter a degree of challenge. With 112 full color pages, Irish Chain in a Day provides yardage and cutting charts for six quilt sizes, assistance in color variations with a "paste up sheet," and border treatments. In addition to detailed written instructions, illustrations are provided for marking, pinning, quilting and binding the project. Many sample quilt photos are included to inspire creativity.
Twenty-nine years ago Eleanor Burns introduced her first Quilt in a Day book, cultivating a quiltmaking revolution. She presented her unique style, a diverse combination of cutting and sewing applications, creating new techniques altogether. Her concise step by step directions are easy to grasp, allowing the possibility for anyone to be successful at making a quilt. Eleanor Burns gave quiltmakers techniques that compacted months into merely a day, a quilt in a day, spreading her vibrant enthusiasm within everyone. She has motivated thousands of want-to-be quilters with needed confidence and assurance. Altogether, the impact of her influences opened the door to a renewal. Her efforts sowed the seeds that have grown into many techniques that are commonly used today. Since 1978 when she self-published her first book Make a Quilt in a Day: Log Cabin Pattern, she has authored over seventy-five additional books. Throughout the world today, there are thousands of instructors teaching her quiltmaking methods. Her first Quilt in a Day TV series began airing on PBS in 1990 and is still broadcast nationwide and abroad and now her shows can be seen on the world wide Web on QNN and Quilters TV.
