Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad we have a new pattern for you?

Introducing Open Options by Material Girlfriends!
What a fun pattern!! It is so versatile that we changed our mind on the name and decided to call it Open Options. Here is why. The pattern is easy-peasy, GREAT for beginning quilters but you end up with a really cool and complicated-looking quilt. The fabric requirements are 10″ squares. Depending on the size of the finished quilt, you can use 18 of light and 18 of med/dark 10″ squares, or for a larger quilt, 24 light and 24 med/dark 10″ squares. Go for the 24 of each. But add a few extra for more lay-out options and room for those oopsies.

When creating the blocks, you’re making two at a time, one light and one dark.

And then the fun begins! You have so many lay out options! We included 14 lay outs in the pattern. But check out our design wall! We finally chose the cover designed and called that lay out “Orange You Glad.”

Plus a few sexy shots on the river and an adorable puppy. Who can resist this pattern now?!

So what’s the story on this block?  It is an eight-pointed star and the first published likeness that I have found, is called the New Hampshire block, first published in the Birmingham News, October 12, 1943. When researching for our pattern, we also found similar blocks published by Missouri Star Quilt Company, but their pattern doesn’t use 10″ squares and a similar pattern called Kira by GE Designs, but their patterns uses the Stripology Squared ruler by Creative Grids. Magic Stars by Aneela Hoey seems to have beat us all to the publishing punch and launch her pattern in 2013. I bought her pattern since hers was the earliest. There were some differences, having been a graphic designer for 30+ years, I am sooo copyright sensitive. We would never want to exploit someone else’s creative genius (and visa versa!). I contacted Aneela and shared our pattern with her. She said go ahead to publish. She was a very nice woman. She had told us she had also spoke to GE Designs regarding Kira as well and told them the same. It seems our technique wasn’t quite as unique as we had hoped. It is basically a Disappearing L Block.

This is a different lay out that Lora did using some civil war fabrics. It is called the “Wanda” after our grandmother. It has also been a popular lay-out for our students. Plus a pic of the quilting.

This lay out was the one given to our Mystery Sweet Heart class.

This is my lay out plus a picture of Lora’s quilting. And also a lay out when playing on the design wall.

Jennie’s lay out

Nicole’s lay out

Georgette’s lay-out

And as soon as I think I’ve included all the versions in the pattern, Kim sent me her lay out. This will be the 15th layout version “Kim” in the next print. Send me your lay out design too! I’d love to include it into the next pattern run. I think the design options are endless!!

Yes, all those design lay outs are from the same two squares shown above. Amazing, right?! You don’t even have to decide on the final lay out until you’re done creating the blocks! This is the current lay outs list (up for a limited time). Click to download OpenOptionLay-outs.

Take this class with us at the Alden Lane Nursery! Sign up for the Open Options class here. Thursday, Sept. 20, 9-4 pm at the Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore CA.

The Open Options pattern will be available soon at In Between Stitches in Livermore and Quilters’ Hollow in Stockton. You can also purchase here at our online store.

I think you can see why we named this pattern Open Options. The options seam limitless!

Absewlutely,

Lisa