Farmer's Wife Vacation (extra)

Checkerboard - Extra block

I am taking a break from cleaning this morning in the studio and I wanted to post instructions for the checkerboard block.  the Farmer's Wife book has a postage stamp block (#68), which is essentially the same.  Postage stamps quilts usually have unique fabrics and the value doesn't necessarily alternate. 

Cutting: 

• Cut 1 dark and 1 light strip 1 1/2" x 28 1/2"

Sew them together along the long edge.  Press toward the dark.  Does it measure 2 1/2" after pressing?  If not, check your seam allowance.  If your seam allowance is correct, check that you cut your fabric correctly.  It could also be your pressing.  If your pieces don't measure 2 1/2" at this point, you need to get out you seam ripper.

Cut your strip set into 3 pieces measuring 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" 


Sew your segments together along the long edge.

Cut your strip set into 1 1/2" segments.  Sew them together in pairs taking care to sew them all the same (either the dark or the light has to be the first square on the top).

Now sew your pairs together to complete the block.  I just love the simple checkerboard block!

Is it 6 1/2"?