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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
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
Checkers and Rails Quilt
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
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.
On Point Heart Applique
Alternate On Point Heart Quilt Layout
Adding Blocks and Coloring
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.
 Love Roses from Creative Fabrica
I've been looking at a lot of graphic designs and one that intrigued me was a word composed of some flowers and leaves. I spent some time playing in Electric Quilt, to see if I could replicate the concept with some simple shapes. (Let's face it, I don't have enough time or patience to replicate the inspirational photo.)
In my free EQ8 tutorial, I will show you how to create the shapes, and then place then in a block to create your own WordArt. We also cover using Wreathmaker (as I found it helpful in drawing the "O").
I didn't cover drafting the quilt layout. However, if you would like to replicate my project, create a Horizontal layout with 1 x 1 blocks. The block size was 14 x 5. There are two borders. The first is a .5 inch long horizontal and the second a 1 inch long horizontal.
Here is my quilt. The fabric in the border is part of the free fabric download from EQ for February 2020 (Mackinac Island by Moda. 
Love WordArt designed by Kari Schell using EQ8
After designing the Love WordArt quilt, I started thinking about using other words. This could be a fun gift for a child, friend or family member. Here is "quilter" spelled out using the same concept.
Quilter WordArt designed by Kari Schell using EQ8
What word will you put in your WordArt quilt? Feel free to post your Word Art on the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Be My Valentine
Create a quick table quilt measuring 40" x 16" to celebrate Valentine's Day. Or this would also make a great shower or wedding gift for that special someone.
This project is a lot simpler than it looks. I used over-sized units that are cut down with the use of rulers from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. I've also provided alternate instructions if you wish to do the project without her rulers. Click here to purchase Be My Valentine. On sale for $5 (regularly $8).
The design I am sharing today, was one I recently found in an old file from EQ4. That was the first version of EQ I owned. Functionality (and fabric options) were much more limited in those days. But EasyDraw and many of the quilt layouts we enjoy today were available for designing in the early years of Electric Quilt.
I did a bit of research and I could not find the block in the EQ library or in any of the free projects on their website. So it is possibly an original design. Or it could be something inspired by a quilt in a magazine (as the design was created before Pinterest became our go to source for inspiration). I hope you enjoy. Pieced On Point Heart Block
The block is conducive to either rotary cutting or foundation piecing. So in addition to being fast to draft, it would also be easy to piece.
On the Block Worktable, create a new block with the style EasyDraw.
In the Precision Toolbar, set the block width and height at 6". Set the snaps every quarter inch (multiply the size of 6 times 4) -- so 24 x 24. Make sure to turn on Snap to Grid. 
Precision Toolbar for EasyDraw Block
Select the Color tab and color the block.
I used an updated default fabric collection (a benefit of the EQ Members Club offered by Electric Quilt). 
Pieced Heart On Point Block Colored with Default Fabrics
Here are the rotary cutting instructions for the pieced on point heart block. Notice that there are instructions for every patch. So no templates or manual calculations will be required.
Feel free to use these instructions if you would like to piece the heart block (6" finished size). 
Rotary Cutting Instructions for the Pieced On Point Heart Block
Pieced On Point Heart Quilt
Adding Quilting Designs
Watch the video to see the full process.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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