RBD Block Challenge 2025 - Week 7: Irish Spring
This week, we’re diving into the beautiful Irish Spring block designed by Vicki McCarty of Calico Patch Designs! With its classic structure and timeless charm, this block is a wonderful reminder of how simple elements come together to create something truly elegant.
Personal Reflections: The Grace of Irish Spring
Working on Irish Spring felt like a return to quilting traditions, yet with plenty of room for personal creativity. This block’s balance of strip piecing and Half Square Triangles (HSTs) creates a harmonious flow that was a joy to stitch.
For my version, I used prints from my It Takes a Village collection, focusing on warm yellows, fresh greens, and calming blues to evoke a springtime vibe. The Four-Patch units and HSTs reminded me how every little detail contributes to the whole—a perfect reflection of the quilting journey.
This Week’s Block: Irish Spring
Irish Spring is a 10" x 10" finished block that combines strip piecing, Four-Patch units, and HSTs for a clean, geometric design. Its symmetry and timeless appeal make it a versatile addition to any quilt.
My Take on the Block
Here’s how I brought Irish Spring to life:
- Fabric Choices: I selected prints from my It Takes a Village collection, pairing warm and cool tones for a fresh, cohesive look.
- Focus on Contrast: The Four-Patch units and HSTs came alive with the contrast between vibrant yellows and grounding blues.
- Tips for a Flawless Finish:
- When creating strip sets, press seams in alternating directions to nest them perfectly for the Four-Patch units.
- Mark your HST diagonal lines carefully and trim precisely for sharp points.
- Lay out the block components before sewing to ensure the orientation of each piece matches the design.
Fabrics I Used
- It Takes a Village by Jennifer Long, Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs
- Confetti Cottons by Riley Blake Designs
Building Together
One of the joys of quilting is seeing how the same block takes on different personalities with fabric choices. I’d love to see how you’ve interpreted Irish Spring!
Share your blocks with me on Instagram and tag @sewastory, @calicopatchdesigns, @rileyblakedesigns, and #RBDblockchallenge. Your creativity inspires me and our whole quilting community!
What is the RBD Block Challenge?
The Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge is a free quilt-along featuring 16 unique blocks created by Riley Blake’s talented designers.
- New blocks released every Tuesday through May 27, 2025.
- Perfect for quilters of all levels.
- Completely free to participate!
Find all the details and resources here:
Let’s keep creating and inspiring each other. I can’t wait to see your Irish Spring blocks!
