Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Hoochy Cups


Here is one of 12 hoochy cups I made for a swap; they went in the mail early today. By late next week I should have 12 blocks back, all different (it's magic, I know).

What? Never heard of hoochy stitching? I took a class with Mary Lou Weidman in Grand Rapids about 2.5 years ago, and we all learned how to hoochy a block. We did basic hoochy blocks the first day, and the next day did "flower power" hoochying!  What does hoochy mean? It's a specific method that Mary Lou uses (you'll have to get her book or take a class from the master).  There is no pattern; you just start with a picture of what you want to do in your head or sketched on paper, then proceed to sew. A little too big? Cut it off. A little too small? Add more.  

My cups measure about 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, with a 2 inch border of background for wiggle room (to help the recipient use it in a future quilt).

p.s. You know why I wanted to take a class from Mary Lou even though I had never met her? Because she has a huge smile in almost every photo I've seen of her.  I need more smilers in my life. Thanks, Mary Lou!

4 comments:

West Michigan Quilter said...

I love your cup. Please show us what you get in return. I wish I could have participated in this swap. ML's swaps are always so much fun.

Marit said...

A fun cup! Taking classes with Mary Lou sounds great - too bad I'm too far away to join in...

Lynda said...

The 'hoochy' method sounds a bit like Tonya Ricucci's 'unruly quilting' methods! All great fun!

pink daisy said...

The hoochy is freeform piecing like Tonya and Gwen and a few others, but if you get a chance to take a class from Marylou she has some great short cuts and of course a beautiful smile.