Click here to get to the Christmas Sweater Quilt Main Page.

Important Note: Please read all the tips for piecing,
I share on the main page here.

~~~

Below I share two versions to make the checkerboard sashing & borders, for the Christmas Sweater quilt.

Version 1. Includes making the checkerboard yourself, with strip piecing.
I recently made a slightly smaller checkerboard sashing & borders for another quilt I made - Storyland.

I share all my best tips, to help you with yours.

Version 2. I give you the sizes to cut full pieces of fabric
-or-
the pre-printed checkerboard fabrics that I designed for this quilt - to make it so much quicker & easier, with the same charm that small checks give the design.

Horizontal Border

Vertical Border

You can find more details about these on the
Fabric Requirement Page for this quilt.

 

 

1. Cut the strips, for your size quilt, as instructed  [Rotary Cutting~ #D + #E].

2. Sew strip sets using a red & white fabric for each set [Strip Piecing].

Tips:
~I prefer shorter strips, because long strips tend to go wonky.
To obtain this you can cut each width of fabric strip in half.
~To keep them nicely straight, as I’m stitching, I add magnets - as guides, the strip can flow through, behind the presser foot.

~Press the seams open, and then lay the strip set straight (use a ruler as a guide), and give it a good final press. Let it cool before you move it.

3. Cut the pressed strip sets down into 621~1½" x 2½" units (621~2" x 3½" units).

Tips:
~For better accuracy, trim one end straight by aligning the ruler along the seam line.
(Accuracy is worth the effort.)
~ Double check every few cuts, that the edge you are measuring from is perpendicular to the seam line. If not, trim straight again.

4. Pair each 2-Patch unit with another as illustrated.
You will have 310 pairs.
Note: You will also have one 2-Patch left over, to be used for one of the sashing.

4-Patch Unit

5. Sew [Machine Piecing] the pairs together, matching the seams*.

*You will find the 'Perpendicular Pinning' tips I use for this, on the main page (under Tips).

Tip: After pressing, double check the sizes, and trim, if required, to the unfinished size of 2½" square (3½" square).

6. Lay out rows of 4-Patch units, to make the following sashing:
Use the picture below as a guide.

- 1 vertical sashing (between the Small Ornament & Candle blocks), beginning with the white at the top left, using 10 4-Patch units plus the leftover 2-Patch unit.

- 1 horizontal sashing (between the Angel & Small Ornament/Candle blocks), beginning with the red at the top left, using 12 4-Patch units.

- 1 horizontal sashing (between the Small Ornament/Candle & Christmas Tree blocks), beginning with the white at the top left, using 12 4-Patch units.

- 2 horizontal sashing (one between the Snowflake & Reindeer blocks and one between the Reindeer & Large Ornament blocks), beginning with the white at the top left, using 11 4-Patch units.

7. Sew [Machine Piecing] the units together, matching the seams*.

Tips:
~Align the raw side edges, of the units, before pinning, helps keep them straight.
~After you press the seams open, lay a ruler along a seam, adjusting here and there, to make sure it’s straight - then give it a good final press.

Let it cool before moving it.

8. Sew [Machine Piecing] all of the sashing units you've made, between the blocks.
Press the seams together, toward the blocks.

Tip:
~Finger press the center of the block, to align the center seam, of the sashing unit to.

 

9. Lay out one vertical sashing (for the center of the quilt), beginning with the red at the top left, using 36 4-Patch units.
Use the picture of the center of the quilt (Step #6), as a guide.

10. Sew [Machine Piecing] the units together, matching the seams, as before.

11. Sew [Machine Piecing] the long center sashing unit you've made, between the columns of blocks.
Press the seams together, toward the blocks.

Note: The remaining 218 4-Patch units will be used for the final borders.

~~~~~

1. Cut the sashing fabrics, for your size quilt, as instructed  [Rotary Cutting~ #F]:

Note: The pre-printed border fabric can be cut apart using scissors, along the grey line, that divides them.

- 1~2½" x 21½" (1~3½" x 32") vertical sashing, to go between the Small Ornament & Candle blocks, [beginning with the white at the top left, if using pre-printed border fabric].

- 1~24½" x 2½" (1~36½" x 3½") horizontal sashing, to go between the Angel & Small Ornament/Candle blocks, [beginning with the red at the top left, if using pre-printed border fabric].

- 1~24½" x 2½" (1~36½" x 3½") horizontal sashing, to go between the Small Ornament/Candle & Christmas Tree blocks, [beginning with the white at the top left, if using pre-printed border fabric].

- 2~24½" x 2½" (1~36½" x 3½") horizontal sashing - for one between the Snowflake & Reindeer blocks and one between the Reindeer & Large Ornament blocks, [beginning with the white at the top left, if using pre-printed border fabric].

- 1~2½" x 72½" (1~3½" x 108½") vertical sashing, to go between the two columns of blocks, [beginning with the red at the top left, if using pre-printed border fabric].
Join fabrics to make it long enough.

Pay attention to the colour of the squares, where you join them.

2. Sew [Machine Piecing] all of the sashing patches you've cut, between the blocks, and then the long one between the columns of blocks.

Tips:
~Make a mark on the back of each block (at the sewing line you drew, when you blocked [Blocking] each block, as instructed), every inch (inch & a half on larger quilt).

~Match up these marks with the checks on the pre-printed border, and pin in place, using the perpendicular pinning tip*.

Press the seams together, toward the blocks.