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In my classes and Tech Know Quilter's program, I love to encourage students through challenges.
In this blog post, I will share:
Tech Know Quilters Month End Showcase
Here are some recently completed projects from Tech Know Quilter members.
Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training. At the end of each month, they were encouraged to apply what they learned and to share a favorite quilt or picture. If you are interested in joining Tech Know Quilters, please send me a note.
Design Your Own 9 Patch with EQ8 Spotlight
My new Design Your Own 9 Patch with EQ8 Class continues. There have been some great designs posted in our private group this week -- including the following:
Would you like to join us?
Favorite Quilt Challenge
In February, Tech Know Quilter Master's members were encouraged to share a favorite quilt they actually constructed. For a twist, I asked them to select someone else's quilt and draft blocks and a quilt inspired by the constructed quilt.
The class for February Masters was a pretty intense one, so not as many participated in the challenge. But those who did, came up with awesome interpretations of their inspiration quilts.
Pat Harkins Lone Star Variation
As I was putting together this blog post, I decided to take the Master's challenge. My inspiration quilt was one submitted by Pat Harkins, Tech Know Quilter Masters member.
For my variation of her quilt, I decided to miniaturize the quilt (and created only 1/4 of the design.)
In the Block Worktable, there is an option to merge two blocks together. So I was able to put the 16 patch block in the frame. Here are my two final colorations of blocks in the frame.
In analyzing Pat's border, I decided to draft as a row of flying geese units. I drafted at 24" x 4". Here are the two colorations.
Flying Geese Block - Coloration 1
Flying Geese Block - Coloration 2
Before adding the flying geese block to the quilt, I realized I needed to resize the quilt to 28"". This will give me the perfect space for two 24" x 4" blocks (one horizontal and one vertical).
I overlayed this unit on Layer 2 -- which puts it on top of what was designed on Layer 1. Piecing Tip: To piece the design, I would piece the background as drafted and then chop off 3-1/2" of background fabric on the top and left edges. Then add the flying geese blocks. Everything should fit together beautifully.
Here is my drafted quilt.
Lone Star Variation Created by Kari Schell using EQ8
Watch the video tutorial for more information on how to draft this quilt using EQ8.
There is so much you could do with this layout -- replacing the 16 patch with another simple block. Or add a fourth pieced block to each star point. (You would need to move the borders if you select the second option.)
I would love to see what you decide to create. If you would like to share your creation, I've set up a post in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
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Design Your Own 9 Patch with EQ8
My new Design Your Own 9 Patch with EQ8 Class started this week. There have been some great designs posted in our private group -- including the following:
Sherri Edwards created 3 blocks along with quilts for all three of them.
Would you like to join us? You can learn about the class here.
Federal Chain Unequal 9 Patch Block and Quilt EQ8 Tutorial
On Facebook this week, I saw an antique quilt which was called a Federal Chain Quilt. You can see a picture of the quilt here.
I looked and found a couple of Federal Chain blocks on BlockBase+ -- but they really didn't seem to match the antique quilt.
Bonus Tip: For the border, I calculated the border size by taking the size of the center and dividing it by the number of blocks in the border. (36" / 16 blocks = 2.25)
Often I will experiment with number of blocks in border until I find a size that looks good with my center. And then true it up with a formal calculation.
Check out the video for the full tutorial.
Here was my final quilt.
Federal Chain Quilt Drafted using EQ8 by Kari Schell
I think those hexagon spaces are calling for some custom quilting. What would you put in them?
I am curious what you will do with the Federal Chain block. Post a picture in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I've set up a dedicated post for your pictures.
Make sure to learn more about the Design Your Own 9 Patch Quilt class as well.
Before we get started with the two free video tutorials in this blog post, I want to make sure you are aware of a new class starting on Tuesday.
Design your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 is a month-long stand alone class that will not only increase your EQ8 skills, but your skills in drafting new and original nine patch blocks. The goal is to not only recreate my designs, but to create new and original designs. 
Here is a video of the lessons (including the blocks and quilts you will be drafting).
Design Your Own Nine Patch EQ8 Class starts April 1, 2025 and is now available for enrollment. The introductory price is 50%. You can purchase the class here.
Quantum Leap Nine Patch Block Challenge EQ8 Tutorial
Do you give yourself design challenges? This week I challenged myself to draft three new 9 patch quilt blocks.
Here were my Electric Quilt challenge rules:
Quantum Fabrics
Quantum Leap Blocks
Check out how to draft all three of these blocks in this EQ8 tutorial.
How would you piece each of these blocks?
Please feel free to use my challenge rules to design new 9 patch blocks. I would love to see your blocks. Please feel free to post pictures in the post in the Learning EQ Facebook Group. And if you are ready to learn addition ways to draft new 9 patch blocks, check out a new class starting April 1, 2025 -- Design Your Own 9 Patch Using EQ8.
Drafting the Quantum Leap On Point Quilt
In this tutorial, I design a quilt using the three nine patch spin blocks. Check out my technique for incorporating three different blocks in an on point layout.
Would you use the on point layout? Or would you try a different layout?
I look forward to seeing your quilt. I've set up a post in the Learning EQ Facebook group for you to share your blocks and quilt.
Are you interested in designing additional 9 patch friendly blocks and quilts? Check out my latest class starting April 1, 2025.
Class is currently on sale for 50% off. 
Check out this new class offering. Design your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 Class starts April 1, 2025 and is now available for enrollment. The introductory price is 50% off. You can purchase the class here.
This past week, I learned that a quilt designer and friend passed away. My EQ tutorial this week is a tribute to one of her designs that was based on a 9 patch. Scroll down to learn more. Design Your Own 9 Patch Class Reveal
For those of you who own BlockBase+, you may have noticed that there are multiple categories of nine patch blocks. Barbara Brackman's method of categorizing nine patch blocks provides a great structure for understanding how to draft your own nine patch blocks.
As you go through the lessons, I will walk you through the categories and show you ways to modify the basic block in the various categories to create new and original designs. Here is an overview of the lessons in the upcoming class. 
Lesson 1 Nine Patch Styles
Start by identifying the three different types of 9 patch blocks as shown in BlockBase+.
Each of those types have a number of sub-categories.
In Lesson 1 we will focus on the sub-categories that have squares and rectangles in some of the patches for each major category of Nine Patch blocks. Other than the basic blocks, we will not be redrafting blocks from BlockBase+. Instead the focus will be on drafting new blocks for each of these subcategories. The Lesson 1 video and pdf will give instructions on drafting five new nine patch blocks. Two of these blocks are considered Equal 9 Patch blocks, one is considered an unequal 9 patch with small center and two are considered unequal 9 patch with large center blocks. Once you understand the principals of drafting each type of block and the steps to include squares and rectangles in each section, you will be ready to draft your own 9 patch blocks with squares and rectangles. 
Lesson 2: Standard Layouts for Auditioning Blocks
One feature of BlockBase+ that many of us enjoy is the ability to audition any of the blocks in a standard layout.
This lesson will teach you how to create a set of your own standard layouts. We will cover how to create seven layouts and even create a personal library to house them. Then the layouts will be available for any of your projects (not just the Nine Patch Designs).
Of course you don't need to stop at just seven. Consider creating additional layouts or modifying the layouts I will share with you to give yourself even more options when auditioning blocks.
One of the beauties of creating these layouts in EQ is the ability to audition blocks in fabrics of your choice. You are not constrained to the BlockBase+ coloring of a particular block. Lesson 3 Equal 9 Patch Specialty Patch Redesign
I also talk about how to use two (or more) blocks from the same category in the same quilt.
Lesson 4: Equal 9 Patch More Specialty Patch Redesign
Lesson 5: Equal 9 Patch Asymmetry and Curves Redesign
Lesson 6: Unequal 9 Patch Small Center Redesign
Using the concepts from the equal nine patch, you will play with two different options when creating nine patch blocks with a small center. The center patches between the corners essentially work as sashing for your pieced designs.
The first block is 8" (3" for the corners and 2" x 3" for the patches between the corner). The second block is 7" (3" for the corners and 1" x 3" for the patches between the corner). In this lesson, I will also share how to design a half-block using the same grid that gives the illusion of a border built into the block.
Lesson 7: Unequal 9 Patch Large Center Redesign
In this lesson we will focus on the sub-category Like Sawtooth/Lone Star.
I will take you through the process of taking the basic sawtooth star block and adding piecing in the flying geese sections, the corners and in the center. We will also play with the merge option to take advantage of that large space in the center of the sawtooth star. BlockBase+ includes feathered stars in the unequal 9 patch with large center category. After spending a day playing with this category, I discovered that not all the blocks included in this category were actually based on a nine patch grid. Since this class is about designing 9 patch blocks, we will cover creating your own feathered star block starting with a 9 patch block.
Check out the video where I share the lessons and projects for the stand-alone "Design Your Own 9 Patch with EQ8" class.
As you work through the lessons, your goal is to not only to draft the blocks I designed, but to use the lessons to express your own creativity and design you own modifications using the various 9 patch categories.
Or get super creative and come up with a new category for your 9 patch blocks. I look forward to working with you in your design process.
Tribute to Celine Perkins - Tranquility 9 Patch Variation
Here is the first quilt (fairly close to Celine's design).
Tranquility Quilt #1
My first variation, replaced her corners with diagonal lines. Here is the block and the quilt.
For two additional variations, I decided to use the corner from Celine's block and apply to to another Equal 9 Patch category -- Like Double Hour Glass. Here are the blocks I came up with.
Here are the quilts.
See the full video tutorial here.
Do you have a favorite Perkins Dry Goods quilt? Let me know in the comments.
If you decide to draft this quilt or your own variation, I would love to see pictures. I've set up a dedicated post in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.
The theme for today is Nine Patches.
First, I want to alert you to a new stand-alone class I have created. Design your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 Class starts April 1, 2025 and is now available for enrollment. The introductory price is 50% off. Also, scroll down for a new video tutorial that covers a nine-patch star that has an optional shamrock -- just in time for St. Patricks Day. Design Your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 Class Starts April 1, 2025
In the Design Your Own Nine Patch with EQ8 Class you will learn how to draft over 40 new nine patch blocks using EasyDraw. Most of the blocks will be either rotary cutting or paper piecing friendly.
Imagine the confidence you will gain after understanding not only the anatomy of a 9-patch, but how to create your own new segments and incorporate them in original designs. This class is designed for Electric Quilt 8 users who would like to expand their block drawing skills to a whole new level. Through seven emails with instructional videos along with a written tutorial, you will be encouraged you to spend small amounts of time using Electric Quilt 8 throughout the month. This will allow you to increase both your confidence and your skills in working with Electric Quilt 8. 
Current Tech Know Quilter members, please make sure to read your email (with extra class discount).
Luck Nine Patch Star Tutorial
In my upcoming Design Your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 class, I talk through the different types of nine patch blocks.
In this blog post, I will share will you how to create a new equal nine patch. In an equal nine patch all 9 sections of the nine patch block are the same size. I will also share how to incorporate a shamrock in one of the spaces of the nine patch.
Here are the blocks.
Here are the quilts. Can you guess the layout I used?
Watch the video to see how to create both the blocks and quilts.
What do you think -- shamrock or no shamrock?
Let me see what you decide to do with the Luck Star Nine Patch block. Share your ideas in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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