This week, I decided to focus on using the same layout -- but eliminate the stars and stripes. For this tutorial, you will definitely want to start by watching the one from last week as you will need the layout and blocks as a starting point.
This time I chose to use a different fabric collection along with a couple of different four patch blocks. The fabric collection I chose to work with was Stitchy. The Benartex collection was designed by Christa Watson and has a very modern feel to it. It is the free fabric download from Electric Quilt for July 2022. You can access and download the free collection here.
Here are the quilts from the video.
I would love to see your variations of the Modern Stars and Stripes quilt. Please feel free to share you variations in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Tech Know Quilters Virtual Quilt Show
One thing I hear over and over again is -- I didn't know you could do "that" using Electric Quilt 8. I have found that the main thing that holds us back from truly using Electric Quilt 8 is just not understanding that this versatile software can help you create any type of quilt. I think you will be inspired by the quilts created by Tech Know Quilter members using Electric Quilt 8.
Tech Know Quilters is a membership program focused on mastery of EQ8. We have members at all stages of their Electric Quilt journey. If you would like to join this amazing group of quilters, you can sign up for the wait list here. Here are the quilts submitted in the last "apply what you learned" challenge. TKQ Monthly Class Options
Tech Know Quilter members can choose from 29 different monthly classes.
Often members will start at the beginning to ensure they have the basics down and then pick and choose based on their quilting interests.
Learn the process of creating a custom set quilt by starting with a single block.
Often when designing, I am not sure where my design will take me. One of the advantages of working with the Custom Set layout is that you have this large workspace that allows you to experiment not only with different blocks, but different sizes of blocks as well. Once you have the quilt center nailed, you can add borders using a process similar to any of the quilt options. One of my favorite border options is Spaced Squares. Square blocks are typically the easiest to piece (particularly if they were designed with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines). And then EQ figures out the sizes for the spacers to make everything fit for each side of the border. No math required.
The fabric I chose to use in my quilt was Proud to be an American by Timeless Treasures. This collection is part of the 2022 Stash Download 1 fabric collection available for purchase from the Electric Quilt Company. I thought it was a perfect fabric collection for the July 4th weekend in the US.
If you cannot purchase the Stash collection, you can locate individual fabric swatches on the Timeless Treasures website. If you aren't into Patriotic quilts, select three different fabrics for your quilt.
I ended up coming up with two different versions of the quilt -- the first is more solid-like. The second swaps the red for a plaid. Which do you prefer?
Feel free to post pictures of any inspired quilts from this tutorial. I've set up a post in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Wishing those in the US, a safe and happy 4th!
Are you ready to master Electric Quilt 8? Tech Know Quilters only opens enrollment a few times a year. Since we finished an awesome challenge, I decided to open enrollment through next Monday. But I have to shut it off on June 27, as we need to get everyone loaded in our system so you can start your journey to mastery next Friday. Summertime EQ8 Challenge RevealHere is my pieced (and framed) project from the Summertime EQ8 Challenge. I plan to pull it out of the frame and add a bit of quilting as I think the quilt will lay much flatter if I do that. I had a blast sharing the Electric Quilt tutorials with you over the past two weeks and have been so encourage seeing your blocks and quilt designs. And even more than that -- the progress that has been made. So many of you talked about all of the new things you learned. And now you have the added skills for your next quilt. Keep up the good work! If you missed the webinar on the Summertime Challenge Layout, you can catch it here. It is available for viewing through the end of the month. Summertime ShowcaseWow. Many of you have been sharing your blocks in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I decided to showcase a few blocks for each day of the challenge. I am so proud of all the participated. Day 1 - Ice Cream ConeDay 2 - SunshineDay 3 - SummerDay 4 - StrawberryDay 5 Sun GlassesDay 6 SailingDay 7 BaseballSummertime Reveal QuiltsMany have also posted their final designs on Facebook. Here what has been posted to date. Last Chance to Join the Summertime EQ8 ChallengeThe videos will be available through the end of June 2022. After that point, they will only be available to Tech Know Quilter members in July 2022. You can still enroll and we will get you all the videos over the next 24 hours.
With over 1,200 participants in the Summertime EQ8 Challenge, everyone has had a busy week -- including me. I am so impressed with the blocks that are being drafted as the knowledge and confidence that has been gained while going through each of the free tutorials.
You are still welcome to sign up for the free challenge. Videos will be available through the end of the month.
Summertime Quilt Reveal
Choose between Wednesday morning or Thursday evening where we will be finishing up the Summertime challenge with a live Zoom meeting.
For those enrolled in the challenge, the videos will be available through the end of the month. (During the zoom meeting, I will be sharing a way to have unlimited access to these videos.) Even if you were unable to join the challenge, you are still welcome to participate in the reveal where I share my layout along with my pieced quilt using these cute little blocks. I will also be talking about Tech Know Quilters and announcing a flash sale. New Tips and Techniques for Paper Piecing
Electric Quilt is fantastic in that is provides us with easy to print foundation patterns. However there has been some confusion on how to paper piece and how to cut those fabric pieces slightly oversized for the foundations.
Since I have been sharing a lot of newly designed paper pieced patterns in the free Summertime EQ8 challenge, I thought I should also share my thoughts on actually making these blocks. Paper Piecing Instructions
If you are new to foundation/paper piecing, here is my suggested piecing process. This is excerpted from my Northwoods Loon pattern.
For those that prefer a video, her is a short one covering the same steps noted above (just using a different block).
Oversized Piecing Calculations - Manual Approach
When I write paper piecing instructions (for either myself or a pattern that I am publishing) I like to create a pre-cutting chart. In those instructions, I provide the measurements for rectangles that are slightly oversized and can be added to a previous patch (or patches). If you would like to try my approach, here are some specifics:
For each patch in the block:
Adding 3/4" to both the width and height gives me an oversized piece measuring 1-3/4" x 3-1/2". I always test my patterns and if I am having any problems I will add a bit more to the pre-cut size.
Here is my cutting chart for the ice cream cone block. The block has a finished size of 2" x 5". And was the first block in the Summertime EQ8 Challenge. Creating SVG Oversized Cutting Charts
This week I decided to play with two different approaches to creating svg cutting charts for a foundation pattern. I couldn't decide between starting with a block diagram or templates in EQ.
Both approaches use an extra piece of software called Inkscape.
What is Inkscape?
The extra piece of software I used for creating the SVGs is Inkscape. Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source. Inkscape can seem overwhelming to use when you open it for the first time. However you only need to use a couple of tools within Inkscape -- so this really is a piece of cake. You can download Inkscape here. I am currently using version 1.1 (which is the version demonstrated in the video). Inkscape will allow you to create an SVG file which may be used in any electronic cutting system (Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Studio, or Brother Canvas Workspace). So what is an SVG file? An SVG file is a graphics file that uses a two-dimensional vector graphic format. Unlike raster formats such as JPG, GIF, and PNG, an SVG image remains crisp and clear at any resolution or size.
SVG Oversized Piecing Approach 1 : Adding Seam Allowances with Inkscape
SVG Oversized Piecing Approach 2: Create the Oversized Seam Allowances using Templates in EQ 8 and use Inkscape to Convert to SVG
Creating SVG Files with Oversized Piecing Video
Here is the video where I demonstrate both approach 1 and approach 2.
Here is the link for the Cute PDF Writer for Windows referred to in the video.
Here is the link for the RWTS PDF Writer for MAC referred to in the video.
Working the Your Cutting System
Each of the major cutting systems has a slightly different approach. Chances are that if you have a cutting system, you have worked through the process of importing a picture or an svg. My primary suggestion is to always double check the measurements of your imported images and adjust them before dong anything else in your cutting system. I have discovered that each of the cutting systems has a different "conversion" from an SVG file. And Cricut (the brand I use), seems to "update" their system at least once a week with the updates changing the conversion percentage. Learn from my mistakes. I have thrown away way too much fabric for forgetting to check and adjust the size before cutting.
This challenge is FREE and perfect for Electric Quilt 8 owners of any experience level. Whether you are just discovering your love of quilt designing or have been dabbling in the program for years, there will be something new and exciting to learn during the next two weeks.
In this free challenge you will learn how to draft a series of newly designed pieced blocks that would be suitable for a miniature summer themed quilt. You will be the first to see my new designs; and through drafting them, be able to incorporate them in your own quilts. Seeing what others do with their blocks will give you additional ideas on personalizing the blocks and confidence to add your own touch to what you are creating. This free challenge is designed for both beginners to Electric Quilt 8 and those that would like to expand their block drawing skills. My hope is to encourage you to spend a small amount of time using Electric Quilt each day. This will allow you to become more comfortable with the software and get to see your own quilts come to life. Sign up with your name and email below in order to receive the free video tutorials directly to your inbox. Getting Started Videos
The getting started videos are available to all -- regardless of whether you choose to join the challenge.
I've put together three short videos to give you a head start for the challenge:
Video 1: Setting Up Your Project File and Adding Fabrics
In this tutorial, I will share with you how to set up your project for the Summertime EQ8 Challenge. You will also learn how to add fabrics from the Do You EQ website and select fabrics directly from the Northcott website.
Problems and a Solution
One discovery I made after coloring many of the blocks with the new fabrics was that the coloring process was a bit slower than normal.
Further investigation revealed that the downloaded images for Turtle Bay from the Northcott website, were really large (42 inches across and 22 inches wide). Before drafting even one block this brought the file size up to 66 MB (which is super large). While you may have the processing speed on your computer to handle the larger images, I thought I would share how to reduce the image sizes. In the bonus video, I share two options:
Watermarkly is an online app I had purchased to more efficiently add Watermarks to my images. There are also options for resizing, cropping, compressing and adding text. You can purchase the app for a one-time fee (not subscription) of $19.95. (This is not an affiliate link.) I found that in just minutes, I was able to reduce my file size from 66 MB to 20 MB, just by cropping 12 Turtle Bay images to 12 x 12 and replacing the original super large images. Since I have already completed the videos and colored most of my blocks, I will continue with the large EQ8 project -- but thought you would appreciate the option to be a bit more efficient. Video 2: Import a Picture for Tracing Plus Practice Watermelon BlockVideo 3: Exporting an EQ Block Image to Facebook
When exporting a block you wish to share on Social Media, the process can be different than sharing a quilt. In this tutorial, learn how to export an image of a block and then add it to a Facebook post.
Here is the link the the Learning EQ Facebook post that is referenced in the videos. Share a picture of your watermelon block, tell me about the fabric collection you plan to use for the challenge, or ask a question.
If you haven't enrolled in the challenge, now is the time. I look forward to working with you to become more comfortable in drafting your own foundation friendly blocks. The first block will be sent out Monday, June 13th (that is this coming Monday) at 8 am. I've been asked by those that are in one of my classes or receive my weekly newsletter if they are automatically enrolled in the challenge. The answer is NO. So please sign up using the link if you would like to participate in the challenge. |
Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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