Hopscotch Mat

Did you know that the game of hopscotch dates all the way back to ancient Rome, where 100-foot courts were reportedly used in military training? Ever since, children across the world have loved bounding their way along chalk-marked squares. Chloe Hailwood’s fabric version means you can bring the game inside and play rain or shine. If you want to make a longer mat that goes higher than seven, just cut out extra numbers and add on increments of 35cm in both the main and lining fabric.

Essentials

Fabric, cotton: main, 80cm x 1.5m; backing, 80cm x 1.5m; printed, five fat quarters
Iron-on adhesive

Download and print the templates from sewmag.co.uk. Press iron-on adhesive to the reverse of all the printed cottons. Flip each of the templates over to mark a mirror image version of each onto the reverse side of the printed cotton. Mark and cut out the numbers up to seven, plus 12 border strips in both the scalloped and zig zag shaped edges. Remove the backing paper on all of the cutout pieces.
Lay the main fabric out flat. Arrange the numbers and borders, using a few extrafine sewing pins on each piece to hold in place. When positioning the numbers, it helps to use chalk to measure and mark the halfway point along the top and bottom edge. Clip or pin a length of string running vertically between these points, or draw a faint chalk line, to help keep the cut-out pieces in right positions. Press each shape and border to the main material with an iron on a medium setting, then remove the pins when all are bonded.
Use contrasting thread colours to topstitch around all the bonded pieces. Lay the finished main fabric directly on top of the backing material with right sides facing. Pin then tack all around. Sew all around, leaving a 30cm gap along one edge for turning through. Turn through to the right side, pushing out the corners and pressing before closing the gap with ladder stitch.