Checkerboard Cutting: From the light FQ, cut 7 – 2½" x 18" strips. From the dark FQ, cut 7 – 2½" s 18" strips.
Strip Set Assembly: Make two strip sets in the following order. Set A starts and ends with a dark strip. Set B starts and ends with a light strip. Press to darker fabric.
Checkerboard Assembly: Cut each strip set into 7 – 2½" wide segments. Sew rows together, starting with set A and alternating between Set A and Set B until you have 7 rows. NOTE: there are enough strips to make another checkerboard that begins and ends with Set B if you like! You'll need to double the yardage for borders and binding to make two.
Borders: Accent Border: Cut two 1-1/4" x ~40" strips (the width of the fabric). Outer Border: Cut three 3-1/2" x ~40" strips (the width of the fabric). Your checkerboard should measure 14½" square. It is wise to measure the checkerboard and cut the border strips to fit if the measurements differ from what is listed here.
Accent Border: Cut two strips 1¼" x 14½". Sew to opposite sides of checkerboard. Press toward borders. Cut two strips 1¼" x 16". Sew to remaining sides of checkerboard. Press toward borders.
Outer Border: Cut two strips 3½" x 16". Sew to opposite sides of top. Press toward borders. Cut two strips 3½" x 22½". Sew to remaining sides of top. Press toward borders.
Scalloping the borders: Layer and quilt the table mat. Trace templates onto template plastic and cut out. Lay templates on quilt border aligning template edge on accent border seam. Start from the corners and work toward the center. Trace curve with a pencil or chalk marker. Stitch around the quilt ON THE SCALLOP LINE. Cut border away a scant ⅛" from stitching. Clip inside curves just past stitching. You're ready for binding!
Binding: Cut 2¼" wide bias strips for double fold binding (or 1¼" wide strips for single fold). Piece together to make a strip that is about 100" long. At the four corners, miter the binding at the point of the "ear" as you would on a square quilt. Do not stretch the binding as you go around the curves. You may have better luck if you do not use a walking foot.