This blue Hopscotch cot quilt is part of a wholesale order that I've been working on.

It started life up on my felt wall, where I chose the 9 or so prints that I'm going to use and decide on the layout. I do a certain amount of swapping blocks around until I'm happy with the combination of light and dark prints and then I leave it be, so that I don't over think it and lose the spontaneity.

 

I was torn at first about the best way to quilt this design. Because it's just straight forward square blocks, I usually quilt following the seams (not in the ditch because that can weaken the stitching and I think often looks messy - but alongside the seam), but that tends to make this size of quilt feel quiet stiff. Freehand machine quilting makes quilts all drapey (it's a word!) and I love the feel of it, but I wasn't sure to begin with whether or not it would end up making the quilt look too busy, what with competing with so many different prints as well as so many straight lines.

In the end though I decided to go with the freehand quilting and I'm really pleased that I did. As well as loving the way it looks (super crinkly) I really enjoying this form of quilting so much more than any other. I think that freehand quilting is akin to zips for a lot of people, with it being assumed that it's difficult and that you need some kind of special foot etc to do it. Which couldn't be further from the truth, at least as far as freehand quilting is concerned - I don't know about zips, I'm too scared to try because it's too difficult....

All you need to quilt freehand is a darning foot and the ability to lower the feed dogs and away you go. I always draw a freehand pattern all over the quilt top first, using a water soluble pen (check it does wash out before doing this!!) because I find it much easier and I get a strange satisfaction from following the line, it's like one of those follow the path quizzes that Bella loves to do.

I also always use Sulky Variegated thread when I freehand quilt because I love the subtle changes in colour as you follow the meandering lines.
For me, the fun thing about a simple quilt design like this, is giving it added movement and depth, whether it's through the actual quilting or the choice of prints or just the thread you use. Such fun.