Friday, March 5, 2010

Hopscotch - tutorial!

So... it took me all week to get this together, but here it is!
Supplies:
Fabric - 1 yard main print, 2/3 yard secondary color, and 1/3 of border color,
Heavy cotton fabric for back- 1 1/4 yards
Rotary Cutter and mat
Freezer paper
Xacto blade
Fabric paint & brush
Iron, sewing mchine, thread, etc.
I recommend pre-washing all fabric.
Cut ten 10" squares from your main fabric, twelve 5 1/4 x 10" pieces of secondary color, and six 1 1/2" pieces for border. I also used my rotary cutter to cut twenty 9" squares of freezer paper. I used a Tahoma small cap font for my numbers (1-10), and they are all about 8" tall... give or take. I don't remember what size I had to print them at. Trace the numbers onto the matte side of the freezer paper and cut out with your xacto knife.This is a lot of cutting, I used a new blade and that helped it go a little smoother. Make sure you keep all the 'inside' parts to the numbers.
To keep the paint from bleeding through the fabric too much, lightly iron (2-3 seconds) one solid piece of freezer paper onto the back of your fabric. Turn it over and place your number on the front and iron. Repeat with all ten numbers.

I used Tulip brand paint because that's what was available to me. Do 2-3 light coats of paint, letting dry between coats. I left them for maybe half an hour between coats, then set them out overnight to dry. You might get a few bubbles if the paint is too thick, lifting it from the freezer paper in the back. Don't worry, just iron it upside-down (with no steam) and the bubbles come right out.
Once you are all ironed, sew the 4 and 5 together, and the 7 and 8 together. All other numbers get a solid on either side. Sew with right sides together and 1/4" seam allowances. Iron seams open.
Sew rows together in numerical order, iron seams open again.
Sew two of your 1 1/2" strips together, sew right sides together on long side of mat. Repeat for the other side. Finish with strips on top and bottom, again iron seams open. I used a heavy cotton for the back, and pieced it to be big enough. Sew with right sides together, leaving a 8" opening to turn through. I laid it out and pinned it because, well, I am a pinner. I can't help it. Turn right side out and topstitch. This gives it a little stability and reinforcement around the outside seam. I think it also helps it lay nicer. Enjoy!

7 comments:

  1. thanks for your comment on my blog!
    This tutorial is great, my girls would love it too.
    Naomi

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  2. i can't wait to play hopscotch now! So cute! I found this tutorial on Moda Bake Shop after I did my car seat it's really good and you don't have to use strips like they did http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/03/reversible-car-seat-cover.html
    Also there is a tutorial out there about just making a cover for them that is kind of like the fitted sheet on your bed and just covers it like that too, but I couldn't find it today :-(
    I recommend to take your time it IS a big project and I am always frustrated when I look at all the mistakes I made with mine. I just sewed the fabric straight to the car seat that was already made, it worked, but it was harder than it needed to be, and someplaces you can still see the pink underneath. I still haven't found a good tutorial for covering the hood of an infant car seat, so if you have any advice there... :-)
    Good luck, I can't wait to see what it looks like!

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  3. What a fantastic idea! I know I have some granddaughters that will love this! :)

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  4. This is amazing, I live in UK...it rains almost every day and I have a super active 2 year old girl. This is a great idea, thank you ever so much for your tutorial.

    Nina

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  5. this is a great tutorial much easier than previous tutorials ive seen. the kids love it and i made a really girly version for my daughter. see it here http://homegirlcrafts.blogspot.com/

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  6. Thanks for the tute! You can see my version here: http://hashiworks.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-28.html

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