to Noveltyjunkie, the fleece front is one piece and the checked is pieced about 8 inches in from each side. I made a printed out template of my embroidery design and just started measuring what distance I thought I wanted them apart. Then I decided after doing those that there needed to be more, so I staggered rows. When I get a pic of the finished quilt you will see that. I don't think they are real even, but I don't think a 19-year old college student is going to measure them out. I didn't use any stabilizer on the back, but pinned water-soluble to the front after hooping each area. Then after stitching it just pulls off.