Two at a Time Preemie Quilts - Part One

The quickest way to do this is to use 2 different fabrics (3 if you are going to add an accent piece). You will need about 1 1/2 yards of your main fabric (I will call it the dark fabric even though I almost always use a pastel) and 1/2 yard of a contrasting fabric (I will call it the light fabric). You will also need 1/8 yard or a fat quarter of an accent fabric. For this tutorial I am using a lovely pink fabric (part of the stash from Vicki W), a white on white and a dark rose.

There are plenty of other ways to do this depending on how much fabric you have on hand. You could use something different for the borders, or perhaps the backing. But using all of one main fabric will make the process quicker.

Cut the dark fabric into 12-2 1/2" strips x width of fabric.................................

4-2 1/2" strips for the center checkerboard

4-2 1/2" strips for the outer border

4-2 1/2" strips for the binding

The remaining fabric should be cut in half lengthwise (approx 22"x22") for two backings

Cut the light fabric .......................................

4-2 1/2" strips for the center checkerboard

4-1 1/2" strips for the inner border

Accent fabric................................

If you are using 1/8 yard, then cut 4-1 inch strips

If you are using a fat quarter, then cut 8-1 inch strips

Central checkerboard-

Start with 4 dark and 4 light 2 1/2" strips (set everything else aside for now). Cut each strips in half . Sew together two strips sets, consisting of 7 strips each. One set will start and end with a dark, the other will start and end with a light. There will be two pieces left over (save all the leftovers for scrappy preemie quilts). Press all seams towards the dark fabric.

Cut the strips sets into 2 1/2" strips.

Sew 7 of these strips together using the strips that starts and ends with the light, and sew another 7 strips together using the strips that starts and ends with the dark.

So sorry for the dark photos but it is a gloomy day and there isn't much sunlight coming in the house. I hope my instructions are clear enough. Do you have any question feel free to email me. Do you have any suggestions? I'll change the instructions if you think more clarification is necessary.

Stay tunes for Part 2.