Kari Schell On Point Quilter Blog

Lucky Nine Patch Star

3/15/2025

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.

Lucky 9 Patch Star

Shamrock

Lucky 9 Patch Star Merged with Shamrock

Here are the quilts. Can you guess the layout I used?

Lucky 9 Patch Quilt

Lucky 9 Patch Quilt with Shamrock

Watch the video to see how to create both the blocks and quilts.

I also created a third quilt -- but wasn't as excited about it. So I didn't include it in the video. This one used an on point layout.

Lucky Nine Patch Star On Point Option (not included in video)

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.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Lucky Nine Patch Star Post

Happy quilting.

Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.

1 Comment

Grandmothers Flower Garden - Tricks for Working with One Patch Quilts

3/8/2025

0 Comments

Have you explored the one patch quilt option in Electric Quilt?

It is an incredibly fast way to design your own flower garden quilt for English Paper Piecing.

In the tutorial you will learn about a couple of the lesser used coloring tools that can improve your coloring speed on a one patch quilt.

I will also share my trick for creating a sheet of English Paper Piecing templates.

There is no "drafted block" in the quilt -- just the colored quilt.

If you would like to use the fabrics, I used in the video, they are available for download on the EQ website. The collection is By Hand created by Amy Friend for Benartex.

Grandmothers Flower Garden One Block Quilt

Pro Tip

To figure out the number of hexagons needed by color, print out a yardage chart.

EQ will tell you how many times each fabric is used in the quilt.

Since this is a one patch quilt, it is also the number of hexagons you will need.

I would love to see your one patch quilt. Feel free to share in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I've set up a post for pictures of your quilt.

Learning EQ Facebook Post for Grandmothers Flower Garden

Favorite Tech Know Quilter Projects

Here are some recently completed projects from Tech Know Quilter members.

There are some pieced bocks and quilts (in addition to designed ones. Proof that occasionally we do get some actual quilting completed. :)

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.

Wanda Hizer A quilt using a panel and the technique from Masters Quilty Gifts.

Marcia Jensen I'm posting a quilt I designed and made using what I learned about a custom set quilt design. Gotta love those custom sets! This was a "journey quilt," with each block on the path representing some new learning over the years that I have been quilting. The last block in the quilt represents "what's next?" in my quilt journey!

Julie Pedersen Here is my table topper that created for the Masters Quilty Gifts class.

Julie Payne Smith I have been working on Pat Sloan's "Be My Neighbor" Quilt that my guild did in 2023 - That's just one thing I'm behind in. I wanted to replace the sailboat with a train, which is more appropriate for MY neighborhood. This is my block designed in EQ to fit the space that I had...

Julie Payne Smith I tried out Kari's video tutorial on "Dear Jane in Jack's Chain Layout"

Edith Craig My class for December was Quilty Gifts. This class had many good ideas for small quilts for decorating or gifts. This one is an adaptation from the Christmas tree quilt. I added small snowflakes to the trees. This could be used as a tree skirt or as a table topper.

Rachel Chandler My finished Summer Games Challenge quilt. It has been slow going, but I am pleased with the final result. I gifted the quilt top to my sister at Christmas with the promise to complete. She will receive the completed quilt tomorrow.

Rachel Chandler This was a fun class and I learned so much. In the Bargello 1 portion, I played with the design and colors and just love how this final layout/coloring turned out. It was actually a happy accident. I may actually make this one. Thank you Kari for the excellent instruction.

Julie Pedersen This month I took the Masters Joyce Drenth quilts class. We created quilts inspired by Joyce's creations. For the challenge I used the Bucket List quilt and put a twist to it. I added one of my su-purr-visors to it as they have to check out my creations.

Mary Groesbeck designed a Mystery Quilt-Along for Cat Lovers. She obviously couldn't share the quilt with us -- but here is the advertisement for the class. https://www.facebook.com/groups/978576190794851

Jill Tillman Garrett Learning how to import and scale fabrics helped me out a lot with this simple quilt. I'm working on a Cocomelon themed quilt for a friend's grand daughter so it's pretty colorful!

Josie Sifft I took the EQ8 Made Easy class and it was a great way to get me to start playing in EQ8 again. This started off with drafting an Arkansas traveler block, and ended up with color play and lots of modification. Ended up with an optical illusion in the center.

Terry McCaskey I really had fun with the word generator challenge. "Slide, Fire and Angel" were the inspiration for my "Fallen Angels" quilt design. It also helped me remember and use some of the transparency lessons from past classes. Thanks Kari.

Edith Craig This month I took the Masters' class Joyce Drenth quilts. The quilt I liked best in this series was one with numerous bird houses. I decided to make my bird house quilt as a table topper, a 36" circle, decorated with pieced bird houses and appliqued birds and lettering. Great fun to play as I improve my skills.

You can learn more about Tech Know Quilters here.

Happy quilting.

Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.

0 Comments

Checkers and Rails Variation What If Game

3/1/2025

0 Comments

Last week I shared how to draft two different quilts using the Checkers and Rails block in the sashing. It is the only block in these quilts. And I made it super simple by using only two fabrics.

If you missed the tutorial, you can locate it here. I suggest watching the video and create the block before creating the variations I will be sharing with you this week.

Checker and Rails On Point Quilt

Checkers and Rails Horizontal Quilt

This week, I decided to play the "what if" game. It is one of my favorite things to do with EQ8. The biggest challenge is deciding what option to actually make.

Checkers and Rails Variations EQ8 Tutorial

In the quilts designed during the last blog post, the blocks were 6" x 6" and the sashing was 3.75" x 3.75".

I started by considering a simple pieced block to replace those 6" x 6" plain pieces of fabric.

Create the Double Log Block

Select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw.

Set the block width and height at 6" (the finished size of the plain block).

Set the snaps horizontal and vertical to 24. This will create snap points every quarter inch.

Make sure to have Snap to Grid as the only item turned on under the Snapping options.

Draw a round of 3/4 inch logs (these will be cut from 1-1/4" strips).

Draw a second round of 1/4 inch logs (these will be cut from 3/4" strips.

If that seems to small -- wait until the end for an option with larger strips.

Color the block.

Add to Sketchbook.

Drafting the Double Log 6" Block

Finished Double Log 6" Block

Create the Merge Block

On the Block Worktable, Select New Block>Create Serendipity.

Select Merge Block.

Select the Double Log block on the left.

(Hint: If your block is not there, it is probably because your block was not created with just snap to grid on. If that is the case, you will need to redraft the block with Snap to Grid on.)

On the right select the Default Variable Star Block.

I chose this block, because there was a four inch square in the double log block -- and the variable star block was created with a 4 x 4 grid.

Select Add to Sketchbook to save.

Serendipity Merge Block Option

Double Log Block Merged with Default Variable Star Block

Quilt Variations

View the Project Sketchbook and select the On Point quilt previously designed.

No worries if you didn't design one. Alternatively select New Quilt>On Point.

For either option, select the Layout tab.

Change the number of blocks to 3 x 3.

Set the block size at 6".

Set the sashing size at 3.75".

If you started a new quilt, go to the Borders tab and change the style to Mitered and the size to 1/2".

Layout for all Checkers and Rails Variations

Variation 1

On the Design tab, place the checkers and rails block in the sashing squares.

Rotate so the checker board surrounds the 6" inch blocks on the rows that have three 6" blocks. And for the rows that have two 6" blocks, the rails surround the 6" blocks.

Then set the Merged block in all of the 6" squares. Do not put them in the setting and corner triangles.

I spent some time (all off camera) recoloring the quilt for a scrappy look.

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Variation 1

Variation 2

Replace the setting triangles and corner triangles with the Double log block (before doing the merge block in Serendipity).

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Variation 2

Variation 3

Replace the blocks in the Setting Triangles and Corner Triangles with the Merged block with the star in the center.

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Variation 3

Variation 4

Create a Cornerstone block using the Double Log concept.

For this block, use a block size of 3.75 x 3.75.

Set the snaps to 15 x 15.

Snapping Options just Snap to Grid.

Draw the block with a round of 1/2" finished size logs, followed by a round of 1/4" finished size logs.

Color the block and Add to Sketchbook to Save.

Drafting the 3.75" Cornerstone Block

Finished Double Log Cornerstone Block (3.75")

On the Quilt Worktable, replace the cornerstones with the 3.75" Double Log Cornerstone block.

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Variation 4

Variation 5

Variation 5 looks a lot like Variation 4.

But it changes the size from a baby quilt (42.336" x 42.336"), to a full quilt (83.731" x 83.731"). You could add borders to increase the size.

On the Layout tab change the block size from 6" to 12" and change the Sashing size from 3.75" to 7-1/2".

Select the Design tab and Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Variation 5

Which variation do you prefer?

Check out the full video tutorial.

Other Ideas

In the Learning EQ Facebook Group, a number of people shared how they personalized the Checkers and Rails quilt from last week. Just to give you a few additional ideas.

Kristy Goodin Soard commented

"I could have played around with this lesson for quite some time. Lots of fun possibilities! I decided to try the use of striped fabric in place of the checkers. I do love checkered fabric though too."

Kristy Goodin Soards Quilt

Jan Beckert noted

"I had an idea I'd like this better with checkers in the alternate squares, as well as the sashing...and some checkers in the borders."

Jan Beckert's Quilt

Jan Perry created Sunflower Blue.

"

Jan Perry's Quilt

I would love to see your favorite Checkers and Rails quilt. Feel free to post in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Checkers and Rails Variations Post

Happy quilting.

Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.

0 Comments

Checkers and Rails Two Color Quilt

2/22/2025

1 Comment

I love collecting quilt books with pictures of antique quilts. I find it interesting that so many of them have a modern vibe.

In looking through one of those books last weekend, I ran across a quilt called Checkers and Rails.

The quilt was made circa 1870 and was from Indiana. It was a stunning quilt created with muslin and indigo fabrics -- just two colors.

Using the picture as inspiration, I decided to draft the quilt in Electric Quilt. I also decided to try a modification of my first layout.

Let me know which one you prefer.

Checkers and Rails Block

The pieced block in this quilt is a combination of two iconic quilt blocks:

Checkerboard
Rail Fence

Both can be modified by changing the number of columns and rows.

And I am sure you have viewed quilts done just with rail fence blocks and just with checkerboard blocks.

We will take this a step further, and combine both the checkerboard and the rail fence in a single block.

Checkerboard Quilt Block

Rail Fence Quilt Block

On the block worktable, set up a New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw.

Set the width at 3.75" and the height at 6".

Since we will be working with 3/4 inch finished strips (1-1/4" unfinished), set the snaps horizontal at 5 and vertical at 8. Snapping options, just snap to grid.

Checkers and Rails Precision Tool Bar Settings

Draw vertical lines for the rail lines.

Use the grid tool with columns set to 2 and rows set to 8 for the checkerboard pieces.

Creating the Checker and Rails Block in EasyDraw

Color the block and add to sketchbook.

This is actually the only pieced block in the quilt.

Super simple!

Checkers and Rails Block as drawn in EQ8

Checkers and Rails Quilt

Set up a New Quilt<On Point.

On the Layout tab set the number of blocks at 3 horizontal and 5 vertical.

Set the Finished Size of Blocks at 6".

Set the Finished Size of Sashing at 3-3/4".

Can you guess where the block is going in the quilt?

Checkers and Rails Layout Tab

On the borders tab, create four borders:

Border #1 - 1-1/2" Long Horizontal
Border #2 - 1-1/2" Long Horizontal
Border #3 - 1-1/2" Long Horizontal
Border #4 - 2" Long Horizontal
Border #5 - 1/2" Mitered

In the video, I used "clone the selected border" to speed up the border creation process.

Checkers and Rails Layout Tab - On Point Layout

On the Layout tab, set the pieced block in the quilt using Control (PC users) or Command (MAC users).

Rotate the blocks so the checkerboard sections surround a square and the rail sections surround an adjoining square.

Finish coloring the quilt.

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails On Point Layout

Checkers and Rail Alternate Layout

Under Quilt Worktable Options, select Starting New Quilts.

Turn on "Keep current borders when start a new quilt" and select OK.

Tip -- if you prefer to revert the setting to the 1" horizontal default, change this setting back after you complete the quilt. Settings under Quilt Worktable Options will carry over to different projects.

Adjusting settings on the Quilt Worktable Options

Select New Quilt<Horizontal.

On the Layout tab:

Set the number of block horizontal at 3 and Vertical at 4.
Under Finished size of blocks, turn on keep width and height equal and set the size of blocks at 6".
Under Finished size of Sashing, turn on include sash border and keep width and height equal. Set the size at 3.75.

After coloring the quilt, I chose to delete Border #1.

Checkers and Rails Layout Tab - Horizontal Layout

On the Design tab, set the Checker and Rail block in the sashing spaces.

Rotate using Alt (PC Users) or Options (MAC users).

Finish coloring the quilt.

Delete Border #1.

Add to Sketchbook to save.

Checkers and Rails Horizontal Layout

Watch the complete video tutorial here.

Which layout do you prefer? Or do you have other ideas to modify this design?

Share your designs in the Learning EQ Facebook post.

Checkers and Rails Learning EQ Facebook Post

Happy quilting.

Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.

1 Comment

On Point Heart Variation with Ribbon Border

2/14/2025

0 Comments

On February 1st, I shared an On Point Pieced Heart block and quilt. If you missed the video tutorial, you can still watch it here.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I wanted to incorporate the block in a whole new layout.

The new layout will include a bit of applique -- think wreathmaker around a simple heart applique.

And will include an incredibly versatile pieced ribbon border.

On Point Pieced Heart Block Drafted in EQ

On Point Pieced Heart Quilt from February 1, 2025 Post

On Point Heart Applique

Using the "heart" under the Shapes tool in the applique toolkit -- learn an easy way to modify the motif to fatten it up.

You will end up using a 3" and 4" motif in the quilt.

(In the video the stand alone motifs were created after doing the heart flower motif below.)

3" Applique Heart

4" Applique Heart

Using the 3" applique heart as a starting point, draw a simple petal.

User Wreathmaker to surround the heart with a group of petals.

Move individual petals in and out to create a more pleasing arrangement around the heart.

Heart Flower with Petals added using WreathMaker

Use the Brush stroke to create the 3 stem pieces.

Draw a Teardrop (use the tool under shapes as a starting point).

Cluster groups of 3 teardrops over each of the smaller stem pieces.

Heart Flower Applique Motif

Alternate On Point Heart Quilt Layout

Set up a new quilt with an On Point layout.

Set the size of blocks at 8" x 8".

Create the borders:

Border 1: .75" Long Horizontal. (Note the quilt size of 24.127 after adding this border.)

Border #1 (Note size after adding border).

Border 2: 3" Blocks. Set the number of blocks in border to 12 horizontal and 12 vertical. Note that makes each block 2" wide. (24.127/12=2.01)
Border 3: .75" Long Horizontal.
Border 4: .5" Mitered (binding).

Final quilt size is 32.6" x 32.6".

Quilt Layout

Adding Blocks and Coloring

Set the On Point Pieced Heart Block in the On Point Layout (Layer 1).

Add applique hearts on Layer 2.

Place 3" hearts in the half square triangles in the corners.
Place 4" hearts in the larger setting triangles.

Blocks Added to Layer 1 and Layer 2

Create blocks for the ribbon border.

Border blocks measure 2" x 3".
Border corner blocks measure 3" x 3".

Ribbon Border Block 2" x 3"

Ribbon Border Corner Block 3" x 3"

Add the ribbon blocks to border #2.

To rotate all the blocks along one side of the border at once, make sure to use the Alt (PC Users) or Options (Mac Users) key before clicking on Rotate.

Finish coloring the quilt and add to sketchbook (to save).

On Point Heart Variation with Ribbon Border Quilt

Watch the full video tutorial.

I would love to see your design. Post pictures in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I've set up a dedicated post for your quilt designs.

On Point Heart Variation with Ribbon Border Post in Learning EQ Facebook Group

Happy quilting.

Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.

0 Comments

<<Previous

Lucky Nine Patch Star

Design Your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 Class Starts April 1, 2025

Luck Nine Patch Star Tutorial

Grandmothers Flower Garden - Tricks for Working with One Patch Quilts

Favorite Tech Know Quilter Projects

Checkers and Rails Variation What If Game

Checkers and Rails Variations EQ8 Tutorial

Create the Double Log Block

Create the Merge Block

Quilt Variations

Variation 1

Variation 2

Variation 3

Variation 4

Variation 5

Other Ideas

Checkers and Rails Two Color Quilt

Checkers and Rails Block

Checkers and Rails Quilt

Checkers and Rail Alternate Layout

On Point Heart Variation with Ribbon Border

On Point Heart Applique

Alternate On Point Heart Quilt Layout

Adding Blocks and Coloring

Kari Schell

Categories

Archives

Lucky Nine Patch Star

Design Your Own Nine Patch using EQ8 Class Starts April 1, 2025

Luck Nine Patch Star Tutorial

Grandmothers Flower Garden - Tricks for Working with One Patch Quilts

Favorite Tech Know Quilter Projects

Checkers and Rails Variation What If Game

Checkers and Rails Variations EQ8 Tutorial

Create the Double Log Block

Create the Merge Block

Quilt Variations

Variation 1

Variation 2

Variation 3

Variation 4

Variation 5

Other Ideas

Checkers and Rails Two Color Quilt

Checkers and Rails Block

Checkers and Rails Quilt

Checkers and Rail Alternate Layout

On Point Heart Variation with Ribbon Border

On Point Heart Applique

Alternate On Point Heart Quilt Layout

Adding Blocks and Coloring

Kari Schell

﻿Categories﻿

Archives

GET MY NEWSLETTER FOR REGULAR EQ AWESOMENESS!

Categories