Patchwork · Confident beginner · 16" finished

16 inch Checkerboard quilt block

Cutting chart, piecing steps and yardage for a Checkerboard block that finishes at 16". The block is a 8 × 8 grid and each cell finishes at 2".

Finished block 16" × 16". Unfinished 16 1/2" × 16 1/2".

Cutting chart for one block

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 quilt of 16" Checkerboard 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.

3 × 3 blocks, 54" × 54" with border.

This diagram uses plain colors. To see the quilt in your own fabrics, with sashing or on point, use the tool below: tap a fabric and choose a photo.

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.

What do I cut for a 16 inch Checkerboard block?

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

What size is the block before it is sewn into the quilt?

16 1/2" square. It finishes at 16" once the seams on all four sides are sewn.

How much fabric for a throw quilt of 16 inch Checkerboard blocks?

12 blocks make a 54" × 70" quilt. Buy 1 7/8 yd of main, 1 7/8 yd of background and 1 1/4 yd of border & binding, plus 4 1/2 yd for the backing.

The app is in the works. Join the early list and help decide what goes in.