Posted in quilting

SAHRR 21 Round 4 – Checkerboard

My week has been a bit full – which is quite a change of pace for me. Among other things, I received my first COVID-19 vaccine jab yesterday. (sore arm today.)

None the less, I have been working steadily on this week’s challenge – checkerboard. I quickly decided it was important to make a definitive break in the design. It is desirable to separate out the triangular rounds from the checkerboard border, which will be strongly square. To make this, I added a wide coping border in the dark grey fabric.

I like the way the geese triangles now look like stained glass pieces.

To me, the checkerboard border can be a mosaic tile border. To achieve this effect I chose to use all medium toned fabrics, including the flowered batik. Here is a small mock-up for my design, using 1 1/2 inch square pieces.

The first step is to cut and sew together several strips, then cut the strips cross-wise into paired squares. Here you see the three piles.

Next I joined these strips into four square blocks, then joined the blocks into long strips. It took me a while to make the first side. For one thing, I again failed to true up the blocks before attempting to sew on the border. Soon, however, I was fully in the swing of it. The first side…………

……. and finally, all sides completed. There are a total of 48 four-square blocks used.

I like it pretty well. Despite my best efforts, there are some ripples. (Thankfully there are no pleats.) I can try to smooth them out by removing, adjusting, and re-attaching the checkerboards.

I’m ready for the next challenge, although I will probably have to buy more fabric.

Unknown's avatar

Author:

One of six children, I was raised by a busy mom, who instilled in me a love of fabric. Though I learned to sew and knit at a young age, it was the arrival of my first grandchild that pushed me into action. A long-time knitter, I am now ready to explore all things fiber.

12 thoughts on “SAHRR 21 Round 4 – Checkerboard

  1. Hi Laura! Gosh, I think this is just GORGEOUS. The addition of that wide gray border before the checkerboard pieces makes this look so much like a stained glass window. I can just picture it in a Craftsman home as you’re descending the stairs – there it is letting in some gentle light. You are really doing a nice job and you’re learning along the way. Can one really ask for anything more?! {{Hugs}} I’m so glad you’ve joined the SAHRR and that you linked up this week. ~smile~ Roseanne

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I love all the strategies you’ve used to make your SAHRR quilt work. This is a fun project. I know I’ve done alot of thinking as well @lolly2430. I love how effective the grey is in your quilt.

    Liked by 2 people

Leave a reply to Laura Kate Cancel reply