Patchwork · Confident beginner

Checkerboard quilt block

Sixty-four squares in two fabrics, laid out like a chessboard. Also called Sixty-Four Patch.

Checkerboard: main and background. A 8 × 8 grid.

Cutting chart by block size

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	32 squares	1 1/2" × 1 1/2"	–
Background	32 squares	1 1/2" × 1 1/2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	32 squares	2" × 2"	–
Background	32 squares	2" × 2"	–

Fabric	Cut	Size	Then
Main	32 squares	2 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–
Background	32 squares	2 1/2" × 2 1/2"	–

Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 8 × 8 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
Join the rows. The block should measure 16 1/2" now and 16" once it is sewn into the quilt.

Yardage for a Checkerboard quilt (16" blocks)

Quilt size	Blocks	Finished size	Main	Background	Border & binding	Backing
Baby	2 × 3 (6)	38" × 54"	1 yd	1 yd	1 yd	3 1/2 yd
Lap	3 × 3 (9)	54" × 54"	1 3/8 yd	1 3/8 yd	1 1/8 yd	3 1/2 yd
Throw	3 × 4 (12)	54" × 70"	1 7/8 yd	1 7/8 yd	1 1/4 yd	4 1/2 yd
Twin	4 × 6 (24)	70" × 102"	3 3/4 yd	3 3/4 yd	1 3/4 yd	6 1/4 yd
Queen	6 × 6 (36)	102" × 102"	5 1/2 yd	5 1/2 yd	1 7/8 yd	9 1/4 yd
King	6 × 6 (36)	102" × 102"	5 1/2 yd	5 1/2 yd	1 7/8 yd	9 1/4 yd

Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.

A throw quilt of 16" Checkerboard blocks in each setting.

Setting	Blocks	Finished size	Extra fabric
Side by side	12	54" × 70"	–
With sashing	12	58" × 76"	Sashing 3/4 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd
Alternating plain blocks	6 pieced + 6 plain	54" × 70"	Plain blocks 1 5/8 yd
On point	8	51 3/8" × 74"	Setting triangles 1 7/8 yd

1. Your fabrics (tap a fabric, then choose a sample or your own photo)

2. Block

3. Quilt size

4. Block size

5. Setting

Border

Fabric	Yardage	Cut

Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.

How many fabrics does a Checkerboard block need?

Two: main and background. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.

What size pieces do I cut for a 16 inch Checkerboard?

32 main squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 32 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2".

How many Checkerboard blocks for a lap quilt?

9 blocks at 16", set 3 by 3 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 54" quilt.

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