How To Make A Quilted Reversible Gameboard

If you're looking for a quick, kid-friendly handmade gift idea (with bonus points for being screen-free!), I've got the perfect project for you. I'm excited to welcome guest contributor, Christine of Modern Charm Stitchery, as she shares this free pattern and tutorial for a Quilted Reversible Gameboard. One side is a classic checkerboard. The other is tic-tac-toe. Easily portable and perfect for gifting, road trips, beach days, and backyard play.

This project is also a great one for learning and applying strip-piecing techniques. Grab her free pattern and let's sew along!

Meet Christine

Hi there! I'm Christine of Modern Charm Stitchery.  I am a quilt pattern designer and mom of three young children living in Upstate, NY.  I began quilting as a creative outlet in my earliest days of motherhood and truly believe it is a form of self care!  Speaking of my kids, I find that they are my greatest sources of inspiration when designing patterns and today's tutorial is a great example of that!

I am so excited to share with you my Reversible Gameboard pattern!  This pattern features a checkerboard on one side and a tic-tac-toe board on the other.  It is the perfect gift to make for families with kids!  And because it is made with fabric, you can even wash it.  This makes it a great travel companion when camping, at the beach, or simply playing in the yard.

You can download a copy of the pattern for FREE here.

For this tutorial, I will walk with you as I create my own reversible gameboard to gift friends this holiday season.

Materials Needed for Quilted Game Board:

• Copy of the Reversible Gameboard Pattern
• Contrasting Fabrics
• Batting
• Thread
• Pins (I use these Fork Pins)
• Rotary Cutter
• Quilting Ruler 
• Iron

Selecting Your Fabric:

Checkerboard Side

You will need two contrasting fabrics for the checkerboard side of the gameboard, along with a border fabric.  In the past I have chosen contrasting colors, such as black and white; or I have used one solid and one printed fabric.  Either way, you just want your fabric to be distinctive enough to make the gameboard clear and prevent confusion.

The border fabric on this side can be a separate fabric choice, or you may choose to use one of the checkerboard fabrics.

Tic Tac Toe Side

You will need two fabrics for this side as well. As with the checkerboard side, I prefer to choose two distinctive fabrics to make the board as clear as possible.

Cutting Your Fabric:

Once you have decided on your fabric, it's time to get started!  Refer to the cutting instructions section of the pattern for the correct sizes, and cut using a rotary cutter and ruler.  Any quilting ruler can work, this the ruler that I use for almost every project I make!

How to Sew the Reversible Quilted Game Board

Checkerboard Side

Rather than sewing individual squares together, the checkerboard side of the pattern is sewn together in strips of Fabrics A and B.  Sew each of the strips together in alternating order as shown below.  Once you have sewn your strips together, press your seams.  I prefer to press my seams open, but you can choose what feels comfortable for you.

Next, rotate the unit so that the fabric strips run horizontally.  Place on your cutting mat and use your rotary cutter to make (8) strips, each with alternating fabrics.

Lay out your (8) strips vertically in a row. Next, rotate every other strip to arrange them into a checkerboard pattern, as shown below.

Now it is time to sew them back together!  To get the most accurate points, make sure to match each of the seams and pin in place.  I love to use fork pins at this stage because I think they hold the seams together best; but use whatever pins you'd like!

Once all the strips have been pieced together, it is time to add the border!  Begin by sewing the top and bottom border strips to the checkerboard, followed by the side border strips. 

You have completed the checkerboard side of the pattern!  Your block should measure 20"x20"

Tic Tac Toe Side

Begin by sewing the (6) smaller strips of Fabric C to the top of (6) background squares.

Sew the units to the tops and bottoms of the (3) remaining background squares, as shown below.

To create a tic tac toe board, sew the units above to each side of the remaining Fabric C strips. See photo below for the correct configuration.

To complete the block, sew the remaining strips of background fabric to the board beginning with the shorter strips on the top and bottom.  Next, sew the longest strips of background fabric to each side of the board.

(Note: the completed tic tac toe board will be 22"x22" which is slightly larger than the checkerboard side.  This is intentional to allow for stretching while quilting.)

Quilting your Gameboard:

Place your checkerboard block right side down, then batting, then tic tac toe board right side up.  Baste using safety pins or basting spray.

Tip: After layering your fabrics and batting, clip a safety pin in the middle of your board. Turn over to make sure the pin is centered in the backside as well.

Keep in mind that the back side (tic tac toe side) is slightly larger to allow for stretching while quilting.

Quilt your board as desired.  I find that using the checkerboard side as a guide really helps when straight line quilting!

Finishing Your Gameboard:

Your gameboard is almost ready to use!  The next step is to square up your quilt and trim any excess batting or backing fabric.

Next, prepare your binding by sewing binding strips together using diagonal seams. Fold the width of your binding in half and press.

Line up raw edges with the raw edges of your quilted gameboard and sew to attach binding. Turn over to finish by hand or machine.

You've finished!  The last step before you are ready to begin playing to get some gameboard pieces.  Click here for a link to the ones I typically purchase when gifting a gameboard.  

But you can also get creative, we have used painted rocks, buttons or all sorts of fun things as game pieces!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  I love that this mini quilt is both fun to make, but also fun to play!  If you enjoy activity-based projects such as this one, check out some of the other patterns in my shop; especially my Sidewalk Quilt which allows you to bring hopscotch inside on a rainy day 🙂 

Huge thanks to Christine of Modern Charm Stitchery for sharing such a clever, kid-approved make. A washable, reversible gameboard is the kind of handmade gift that gets used again and again. I love the idea of it being portable and easy to keep in the car for trips to the park, the beach or camping.

This would also make a great handmade gift!

If you stitch one up, I'd love to see it! Share a photo and tag @ModernCharmStitchery and @diaryofaquilter so we can cheer you on. Happy sewing, friends - and here's to more screen-free, memory-making fun!