Checkerboard throw (Quilted)
Materials
About 1/2 yd. Dark of color (Dk) - 45'' wide
Approx. 1/2 yd. Light of color or contrasting color. (Lt) - 45'' wide
(The beauty of this throw / quilt is that scraps as small as 4 1/2'' can be used).
6 1/2'' -45'' wide Neutral or contrast color not used in squares,
12 1/2'' -45'' wide complementary shade of color.
Hot Iron (it's really the secret for good sewing)
At least 3 foot square space for laying out quilt top
Let's begin:
Press your material out to illuminate all wrinkles for accurate cutting. This is especially important if working with scraps.
Use 1/4'' seams through out project. If your machine can't do 1/4'' seams then keep the seam width consistent throughout the pattern, and your checkerboard will simply be smaller than expected.
HINT: use a large stitch on steps where lots of seams need to be matched so that if you make a mistake they can be easily removed, once you get them the way you want use a smaller permanent stitch.
Cut strips 4 1/2'' X 45'' wide of Dk and Lt. Cut 2 4-1/2'' squares of each color - set aside for later.
Sew them along side seam, right sides together. IF scraps are used sew them ''assembly line'' style.
Leaving strips right sides together, cut into 4 1/2'' ''squares'', for 32 ''squares''. (when opened they will make a 4 1/2'' X 8 1/2'' rectangle of two colors)
Press seam to Dk side. (They should now be opened)
Set up two piles of rectangles. One with the Dk side at the top, one with the Lt. Side at the top. Putting right sides together (Right over Left), match seams and sew together on long (Right side) side. It's important that the seams are sewn on the same side for your seams to lay nice on the back of work.
You now should have a large 4-paneled square with like colors in opposite corners. Check your center seams, do they match up? If not you may wish to rip and try again, because of the checkerboard pattern misalignments will be emphasized.
Square it to measure 8 1/2'' around.
Now lay out these squares to form a checkerboard (you will need a space about 3-foot square). Now flipping Right over Left (right sides together) sew a seam along the Right side to form a seam. Press to the back (because of the checkered look it doesn't really matter which way the seam goes, you may even wish to iron it open -- it's kind of a personal choice).
Now check your seams; make sure they are straight. Press them out. You will now have 8 rectangles that are 4 squares X 2 squares. Now lay out the checkerboard again. Rotate it 1/4 turn in either direction so that the seams you just sewed run side to side. Now, put right sides together (Right side over Left side). And sew seam along Right side.
You now have 4 Large squares (your almost done with this part). Press out the seams and lay out your checkerboard again. Put right sides together (Right over Left) and sew seams on Right side. You now have 2 rectangles (8 squares X 4 squares).
Press seam open. Now is the last part of the board top. Lay out the board top again give it a 1/4 turn and put the right sides together (yup, Right over Left side) and sew your last seam. And as always check those seams to make sure they meet nicely. Press your seam out. There that's done -- now to finish it up with a nice border.
6 1/2'' piece: Laying with selvages together, trim edge to even it all up and to square the corners; cut into 4 strips 1 1/2'' wide.
12 1/2'' Piece: Laying with selvages together, trim edge to even it all up and to square the corners; cut into 4 strips 3 1/2'' wide.
Right sides together and 1 1/2'' strip on top; sew 3 1/2'' strip to 1 1/2'' strip along 45'' side. Do for the other 3 pairs also. These are the panels that run along the side of the checkerboard. Press seams to darker side or press open.
Now measure your checkerboard to be sure its square; cut the strips the same length as the side (make a quick measurement, mine was 32 1/2'').
Now lay out the board with the side panels in place. Remember those 4 squares you set aside? Put them in the corners. Now comes the tricky part, working from the Right side of all, put right sides together of the Right piece to the center piece. Sew seam on Right side; don't press yet.
Lay it back down. Match center to Left side, and sew seam along Right side. Now press seams.
One more step for the top. Lay it out again, rotate your work 1/4 turn; Put Right side to Center (right sides together) and make seam along Right side. Lay it back out, put Center to Left side (right sides together) and sew seam along Right side. Now, Press your seams.
There the top is done!!
Now cut your batting and a backing the same size as the quilt top. And layer them the following manner. Batting, then backing (wrong side to batting), quilt top (right side facing backing fabric).
Sew seam around leaving half of last side not sewn for turning (I do suggest rounding the corner though and don't forget to back tack!).
Turn right sides out making sure all corners point nicely and that the batting lays flat. Now there are two things you can do: You can either ''Stitch in the Ditch'' over board or ''Tie'' quilt it on the side panels of the top (ties in the board face might interfere with the game).
Option 2: Instead of ''Stitch in the Ditch'' all over the board you could do what I did. I free machine embroidered crowns in the first three rows of each side in alternating squares. Use a contrasting thread so they show up well. I then ''Stitch in the Ditch'' only along the borders from the sides of the corner squares.
Want checkers for your quilt? Option 1: Check the Internet for Yo-Yo Patterns, you will need 12 to 14 of each color, Light and Dark. Option 2: Crochet some checkers.