A couple of nights ago I was having an email conversations with my blog friend, Sally. We were reminiscing about one of our all-time favorite quilt books, The It's OK If You Sit On My Quilt Book by Mary Ellen Hopkins. When I worked on a project in Woodland Hills, CA (a long time ago) was was able to visit her fun quilt shop in Santa Monica and that's where I picked up my copy of the book.
This book is one of those that reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun. All of these modern quilt books that present ways to simplify quilt blocks and to use strips are really just new versions of the same techniques that we learned is some of these old classic quilt books.
For today's projects I decided to take a trip back through this classic book and use some her tips for arranging and coloring blocks.
For information on purchasing the fabrics from the Transcend palette just go here. If you see a project here that you would like to create just email me and I'll work with you to create a kit and will share the cutting directions from EQ for your quilt.
Today's block is the classic Old Maid's Puzzle.
Today I am playing around primarily with coloring and orientation of the blocks just to show what can be done with a few color changes. This layout has the alternate block rotated. The next one is a straight set.
This is the first version colored with the greens and purples.
Now I started playing with changing the color of a couple of patches in the blocks.
Then I changed the coloring in alternating blocks.
Then I set the blocks on point.
Now I have a Native Americal blanket design! I love this.
That's a lot of variety from one simple block.
If I ever had to choose one, this is my favorite block. I made my first big quilt using this block. (Using your second layout.)
I want to do it again with taupes. (Maybe in my retirement years.)
Posted by: Amy | December 30, 2012 at 03:11 PM
The It's Okay to Sit On My Quilt Book was my very first quilt book (almost 30 years ago)! I still love that book! When I see new block , I ask myself if it's a "two-bell" block. I've tried to live my quilt life by the philosophy of that book.
Posted by: Tina in NJ | December 30, 2012 at 04:54 PM
THE classic book for sure. Old Maids puzzle is a favourite!
Posted by: elle | December 30, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Mary Ellen Hopkins was guest speaker at our quilt guild in Fallbrook many long years ago. I was her "helper" from our guild. She's a real hoot!!!
Posted by: Stephanie | December 30, 2012 at 07:10 PM
One of my favorite first quilting books too! It seemed so revolutionary at the time.
Posted by: Debra | December 30, 2012 at 09:03 PM
I worked at Mary Ellen's store, Crazy Ladies, for several years with Sally, and it was the experience of a life time. Mary Ellen's strip piecing techniques and the camaraderie with Sally revolutionized my creative life. Since then, I have morphed into a professional artist, and people often comment that my paintings look like fiber art. You can see for yourself on my website: www.tondro.com. My roots are in fiber, and even when I changed mediums, the look of my work didn't change. I am deeply indebted to Mary Ellen and Sally for the part they have played in my creative development.
Posted by: Cassandra Tondro | December 30, 2012 at 11:33 PM
Funny what memory does over time...Cassie was always artistic and quite experimental...even revolutionary stuff like dyeing fabric. Imagine! Mary Ellen Hopkins also used her book to teach quilt shop owners how to teach quiltmaking and told them not to comment on their students' sewing skills because those would improve over time. Of course, the first thing she said when she saw my first attempt at a quilt top (a triple rail) was "My, you really have a problem with motor skills, don't you!"
Posted by: D | December 31, 2012 at 07:12 AM
Addendum: I have yet to figure out who "D" is...but on this blog I'm either tommyandjimmy or Sally. Take your pick.
Posted by: D | December 31, 2012 at 07:13 AM