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Sunday, August 16, 2026

Chain Gang II ~ Sew & Tell - 8/17/26

Welcome back to Melva Loves Scraps and the weekly Sew & Tell party! Another week has zipped on!  The old saying is that "time flies when you're having fun".  If that's the case, then I've been having a grand time! ;)


I'll fill you in on what I've been busy with after this week's Sew & Tell feature.  

Gail at Quilting Gail shared a summary.  She has been participating in a variety of BOMs and has shared the links for each of them.  In addition to those updates, she had finished her Tilt-a-Whirl quilt.  Make a visit over to her blog to see the variety of BOMs she shared.  

Did you know that back in 2018 Gail was one of the featured Quilters Through the Generations interviewees?  You can find that story here.

Quilters Through the Generations was a series that celebrated families of quilters... grandmothers, great-grandmothers, uncles, and cousins.  Not just my family but many others.  


I think that was the beginning of a real interest in my family's history and wanting to find a way to preserve the history and stories... a sort of foundation for what has become integral parts of my sew along events. 

The fact that others have joined me in my journey into the past and made quilts alongside me brings me great joy!  I have enjoyed seeing some progress of Lala's Chain gang - these belong to Melisa, Terry and Carolyn.  The choice of fabric colors and style fits each personality.  


We're 1/2 way through the sew along and honestly, I think you could still catch up if you want to join us!  As I assembled my quilt top I did it in sections and thought that this size, just four columns, four rows would be a great baby quilt.  It would finish, without borders, at 40" square.  It really could be done!  YOU can decide how big you want to make it... and going borderless is ok... and many vintage quilts did not have borders.  

Yes, I am going to make a second quilt... Looking at you, Alycia. LOL! ;) 🙈

Here's what you need to cut for each block:
Setting blocks...
1- 6-1/2" squares of background
4- 2-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles of background
4- 2-1/2" squares of assorted for cornerstones
Patchwork blocks...
4- 2-1/2" squares of background
9- 2-1/2" squares of main color
12- 2-1/2" squares of assorted for patchwork blocks

I have borders on my large top and ready to sandwich it.  That's been a whole thing of itself. *ugh* I had ordered fabric... I thought I was ordering flannel.  Turns out, it was not. :(  No fear... it will not go to waste.

So, I went my only local source for fabric... (walmart) and purchased several precut flannel pieces to use as the batting - I bought all they had.  It was not enough! 😢 After two attempts, I have accepted the fact that I am not supposed to be using flannel as the batting.  I'll be sticking with my fusible batting from Hobbs.  But I will wait for a few days to sandwich and start quilting it... I feel the strong NEED to make a small Lala's scrappy Irish Chain quilt. 

I have worked on editing several video clips about tips and suggestions that have been shared on social media.  You can catch them on instagram here.  

My 100 days of creating continues.  I pieced another scrappy wonky star in yellow and then put them on the design wall.  I have a small space for 3 purple blocks (will purple be next month?) and then I can join the blocks together.

I purchased some fabric in April in Moab (AGF binding fabric) that will be used on this quilt. You can see what it looks like here.  (scroll down toward the end) I think it is the perfect choice. ;)

I'll be chasing DrEAMI squirrels (drop everything and make it) in the studio as I piece a mini–Lala's Irish Chain and listen to more books.

Are you chasing any squirrels?
Will a small Lala's Irish Chain quilt be your squirrel?

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

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16 comments:

  1. LIttle Penguin QuiltsAugust 16, 2026 at 4:35 PM

    Oh dear, you are very persuasive, Melva! I love the look of your current Lala's Irish Chain - such pretty colors. That blue you're using is the same one you sent me for participating in the Little House sew-along. It's working so nicely to make the chain. Now you've got me thinking! 😊

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  2. TerryKnott.blogspot.comAugust 16, 2026 at 7:30 PM

    My squirrel has run rampant. Reining her in is a fallacy to be sure! In the end it will all work out. . .I know she is going to lead me toward other "must do" projects too. I do like your blue constant fabric. I'm sorry that you weren't able to use flannel as your batting.

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  3. Vicki in MNAugust 17, 2026 at 4:29 AM

    Your Lala's Chain quilt is gorgeous! If I had time and energy I would have joined in. Hope your 'grand' time continues this week with lots done.

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  4. Linda at Texas Quilt GalAugust 17, 2026 at 7:11 AM

    Gosh I hadn't thought about a baby quilt! And guess what - my great niece is expecting a boy in December, so there ya go! If I can ever get back to sewing, I'm going to have an all-day marathon - lol! Hubs has already told me he "owes" me, so that will be top of my list. ;)

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  5. KateAugust 17, 2026 at 7:14 AM

    It's been fun to see all the versions of Lala"s Chain. I was so tempted to play along, but I'm trying so hard not to chase any more DrEAMI squirrel projects this year. Your colorful wonki star blocks are going to make a very fun quilt. Happy stitching this week.

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  6. Alycia~QuiltygirlAugust 17, 2026 at 7:26 AM

    Bahh haha!! I've been called out!! But!! I LOVE THE idea of TWO of these quilts!! haha!!! Its been fun to follow your journey and your stories - I love them! Scrappy Stars is so pretty!

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  7. Quilting GailAugust 17, 2026 at 10:33 AM

    I had totally forgotten about your "Quilters through the Generations" feature! Thanks for the reminder! ❤️

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  8. Deb AAugust 17, 2026 at 11:29 AM

    Love your irish chain. Such a fun quilt.

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  9. Sandi MagleAugust 17, 2026 at 6:40 PM

    Quite the project, I love the colors and will be anxious to see the purple shades you add. Sandi

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  10. Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting August 17, 2026 at 9:57 PM

    It is so much fun to see your progress on Lala's Irish Chain. I have been having a ball working on mine and I cannot thank you enough for sharing your family stories and the designs. The stories make the quilt even more special. So sorry to hear you will not get to use the flannel for batting, but your quilt will be just beautiful. Warm hugs

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  11. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork AppliquéAugust 18, 2026 at 1:33 AM

    All the versions of Lala's Chain are beautiful, I love how everyone translate a pattern with her own choices. My head is full of squirrels, too bad, too little time before going back to work! Thank you for sharing your pretty projects and linking up.

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  12. AstridAugust 18, 2026 at 8:08 PM

    The colors/fabrics you are using for Lala's Quilt are sooo pretty, Melva! Love seeing the progress as well as I love reading your family stories. Love your Star Quilt too, it's beautiful in RSC colors. Lots of squirrels in my head, but I try to stay focused on my UFOs!

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  13. AnonymousAugust 19, 2026 at 11:16 AM

    That would have been a nice sew along to do. I don't think I am near prepared to try another one.

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  14. Andree G. FaubertAugust 19, 2026 at 11:13 PM

    Thanks so much Melva for the additional information and the picture. This will really help me. I'll be making the baby quilt. Have a great week and thanks for the party.

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  15. Nancy @ Grace and Peace QuiltingAugust 20, 2026 at 6:38 PM

    Love those scrappy star blocks! Fun to see the different fabrics quilters are using for the Irish Chain quilts.

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  16. Brenda @ Songbird DesignsAugust 22, 2026 at 12:05 PM

    That will be a cute Irish Chain baby quilt. I love your scrappy stars too. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.

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