Beginning Quilting: Nine Patch Block (Single Irish Chain)

Instructor: Jan Jolly

Day & Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuition: $90.00

Ages: 18 and Up

If you’re familiar with your sewing machine and ready to make your first quilt, this class is for you!  Many tips and tricks will be shared in this basic quilting class as we learn how to construct a Nine Patch block.  We will cover ironing, pressing (yes, there is a difference) accurate ¼ inch seam allowance and much more.  The Nine Patch block is the foundation for a Single Irish Chain quilt, as pictured here, and all the information needed to make it will be covered.  The number of blocks completed will depend on each student’s skill level.  The Single Irish Chain layout design is simple and visually appealing, and depending on your choices of fabric the energy of this quilt can be fun, romantic, classic, playful, elegant, etc.  We will be using only two contrasting fabrics to construct the blocks.

There will be a 1-hour lunch break. Bring a sack lunch or explore local dining options.

Experience needed: Students should be familiar with a sewing machine, know how to thread a bobbin and sew in a straight line.

Students Please Bring:

• Fabric: If you desire to make a 45” by 65” Single Irish Chain throw you will be using just two different fabrics.   Please bring 2 ½ yards of light fabric and 2 ¼ yards of dark fabric. 
• If you just want to learn how to make the nine-patch block, bring light and dark fabrics of your choice.  Fat quarters will work, as will cuts of the full width of fabric (WOF).
• Seam Ripper
• Plan on using one of the Olive’s Porch sewing machines for the workshop; Jan will set them up.
• (Optional) Olive’s Porch does have irons & boards, rotary cutters & mats as well as pins and rulers, but you’re welcome to bring them if you have them.
• (Optional): If you have an Omnigrid ruler (sizes: 6” by 24” or 6 ½ by 6 ½) you can bring it, otherwise plan on using one of Olive’s Porch tools.
• Note taking materials.
• (Optional) A snack and/or water bottle. Filtered water is available in the classroom.

An additional fee for materials provided by your instructor for this workshop is estimated at $0.00. THIS FEE IS PAYABLE TO THE INSTRUCTOR at the time of the workshop. Material fees may change depending on the number of participants and price of materials at the workshop. *Payment by cash or check is required for materials fees. 

* We contract with local and regional instructors for short workshops that generally require a minimum of students to run. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to call Olive’s Porch for up-to-date enrollment information. To respect our instructor’s time and preparation for workshops, please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a workshop. Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to a workshop will be issued a full refund. Cancellations made 14 or less days prior to your workshop are not eligible for a refund. If Olive’s Porch needs to cancel a workshop for any reason, we will issue a full refund. See our General Information and Policies page on our website for more information.

About Instructor: Jan Jolly has been quilting since 1979.  She moved to Brasstown from Asheville, NC in 2022 and lives just up the road from the Folk School.  Jan entered her first international quilt show in 1999, winning 2nd place for best use of color.  Her quilting has been published several times in “Quick Quilts Magazine.”  Over the years, she has designed and completed hundreds of quilts from simple to advanced heirlooms. Jan’s quilts, and her personality, are vibrant and infused with joy and love. In addition to quilting, she also loves crocheting and gardening.