Free Scrappy Quilt Patterns: The Checkerboard Quilt

Free scrappy quilt patterns. I’m so excited to show you my new quilt pattern that’s perfect for those moments when you’re itching to sew but short on time. This free scrap quilt pattern is called, The Checkerboard Quilt.

Not only is it an absolute joy to make but you can get rid of those leftover fat quarters taking up space in your scrap pile. This beautiful quilt is filled with an assortment of color! Fast scrappy quilt patterns are the best and a good use of those fabrics over taking your scrap baskets. Skill level is beginner friendly. Finished quilt measures 68″ x 69″.

This is the perfect pattern for using lots of different colors of old scrap fabric. The great thing is because it’s so scrappy, there are no rules really. You can go wild and truly enjoy spending time doing what you love but without the pressure. This free scrappy quilt pattern also has the most beautiful patchwork backing and scrappy binding. To send it over the top, it has multi-colored quilting thread and the end result is stunning.  It doesn’t show that well in the photos but I love it and so will YOU! There will be other posts on how to make the patchwork backing, scrappy binding and quilt design.

Scrap Stash

This quilt blocks in this pattern were made with 3″ x 6″ rectangle fabric pieces. Now I’m sure you have purchased a fat quarter bundle and have leftover fabric, I had leftover units from Lori Holt’s Bee Plaids bundle so I’m using that scrap fabric for the majority of the quilt blocks. No two blocks are the same but I did use each fabric multiple times but paired the fabric with a different fabric. To give the quilt top some negative space, I used white background fabric for a few of the blocks to add a little white to the top. 

Simple Quilt Pattern

The beauty of this pattern lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Make sure the patch blocks have a variety of fabrics for the most pop. The color palette is pure scrappy, I literally used all my fat quarters that were “ugly” or I didn’t care for. Collecting dust in my scrap bin but good quality fabric just going to waste. Fabric requirements, you really I only used white background fabric for a few blocks, trying to stay away from using solid colors.

However, scrappy low volume background fabrics look great. I’m glad I didn’t remove all the blocks with the background fabric because those blocks look great. Also, the quilt will look different after you add the border and quilt it. Don’t be afraid to use the Feel free to experiment with different fabric combinations and block arrangements to create a quilt that’s uniquely yours.

Make sure you check this out!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out How To Learn How To Quilt: Beginner Quilting Guide. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free quilt patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

Grab a copy of my Quilt Planning Journal, filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design 4 quilts or sewing projects! You can jot down ideas as I see them, draw mock ups of quilts and write your cutting dimensions and finished quilt size for future reference. Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!

Checkerboard Quilt – Scrappy Quilt Patterns

Materials You’ll Need

• Assorted fabric scraps (at least 4 – 3″ x 6″)
• Fabric for borders
• Fabric for backing
• Fabric for binding
• Batting
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Ruler
• Iron and ironing board
• Quilt basting spray or pins
• Quilting needle

Fabric Information

You will need 36 checkerboard quilt blocks, this free quilt pattern has 6 rows with 6 quilt blocks per row. Each checkerboard block requires 8 – 3″ x 6″ pieces of fabric. So you will need 4 – 3″ x 6″ pieces of two different fabrics to get the checkerboard look. Cut your fabric into 3″ x width of fabric strips. Then sub-cut the strips into 3″ x 6″ rectangles. Fat quarters work best, you will need 3 strips to get 9 units. That will make 2 blocks with one unit leftover to use in another project.

Creating the Checkerboard Blocks

Now, onto the fun part – piecing together the Checkerboard scrappy block! This pattern is incredibly straightforward and requires just eight pieces of fabric for each block, 4 pieces each of two different fabrics. 

Pair up rectangles from two different fabrics, you will need 4 rectangles of each for one quilt block. Keep pairing up until you have pairs for 36 blocks.

Take your paired pile to sewing machine and chain piece two at a time using a quarter inch seam allowance. Sew along the long edges until all are done. 

Press with iron on the backside of fabric, then sub cut in half horizontally.

Flip the right piece upside down to create checkerboard pattern.

Sew these together and chain piece until all are done. Seams will nest perfectly.

Next, sew two of the units together to form quilt blocks until all are done.

Press each with iron and don’t square up.

Assemble Quilt

Once you’ve finished piecing together your Checkerboard blocks, it’s time to assemble your quilt top. Lay out your blocks in the desired pattern, taking care to distribute colors and fabrics evenly. Once you’re happy with the layout, sew the blocks together to create rows, then sew the rows together to complete the quilt top.

Next, add borders to frame your quilt and give it a polished finish. You can use a single fabric for the borders, or embrace the scrappy aesthetic and piece together strips of fabric for a more eclectic look.

Finishing Touches

With your quilt top complete, it’s time to assemble the quilt sandwich and start quilting! Layer your quilt top, batting, and backing, then baste the layers together using quilt basting spray or pins. Now, it’s time to quilt as desired – whether you prefer simple straight-line quilting or intricate free-motion designs, the choice is yours!  I used a cross hatch quilt design while machine quilting on my home sewing machine. I’ll write up a post soon on machine quilting designs.

Once you’ve finished quilting, trim any excess batting and backing, then bind the edges of your quilt to finish it up.

Quick Note

Scrappy quilt patterns take skill to give it a scrappy look but it’s really curated at the end of the day. Even though you are using a lot of different fabrics you still are picky about using certain ones next to each other or using them at all.  Well I say don’t think about that and just throw it together, dump it all in.

Sometimes you think a block is too ugly and want to leave it out. That happened to me on this quilt and I used the block. It’s actually one of my favorite ones in this quilt and looks completely different now that it’s machine quilted. Quilts are so funny. The finished quilt always looks different from your plain quilt top.

Scrappy Quilt Patterns – BEGINNER SUPPLIES

Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).

Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)

28 mm Rotary Cutter

28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades

45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)

45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)

60 mm Rotary Cutter

60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades

5″ x 20″ Straight Line Ruler

4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles

12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks

Cut Resistant Gloves

Stiletto

Sewing Pins

Sewing Thread

Universal Sewing Needles

Cotton Batting

Sewing Machine Beginner

Sewing Machine Intermediate

SAVE THIS PIN FOR LATER!

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ABOUT SEW NIKKI

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you’ll find easy-to-follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Whether you’re stitching up a cozy quilt, crocheting a vintage-inspired blanket, or diving into upcycled sewing, I’m here to make the process fun and stress-free. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let’s create something beautiful together!

I hope you try this for your next quilt. The Checkerboard Quilt is not only a fantastic way to bust through your fabric stash. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and make this pattern your own! Check out my previous projects for more free quilt patterns and tutorials.

If you give the Checkerboard Dump Quilt a try, I’d love to see your creations – feel free to share photos and stories in the comments below. Until next time, happy quilting!

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Want to learn how to crochet? Check out this post, How to Learn How to Crochet – Guide for Beginners.