Sometimes I want to know "How many blocks can I make from a fat quarter of fabric?"  There are a lot of ways to figure this out with math -- but let me provide an easy way to do with Electric Quilt that requires no (or at least minimal) math -- I promise!!

Let's assume I want to do a quilt with a traditional Bear's Paw block.

Step 1 - Find the Bear's Paw block in your Block library.  Or you can draft one with a 7 x 7 grid using Easy Draw.

Step #2 - Print out a rotary cutting block for your block at the size you wish the block to be in your quilt.  Let's assume this one will be 10-1/2" x 10-1/2".

Step #3 - Create a new Patchdraw Block in EQ.  The setup should be as follows:

• Block width: 20 (width of a fat quarter)
• Block Height: 18 (length of a fat quarter)
• Grid: Rectangle
• Snap:  40 horizontal and 36 vertical (every half inch)
• Graph paper cells:  20 horizontal and 18 vertical

Step #4 - Refer to your cutting chart and draft one of each of the dark patches.  For those patches with fractions, round up to the next 1/2" mark.  (Or if you wish to have oversized pieces for your half square triangles, now is the time to make those adjustments.) 

So I will draft the following patches using the Polydraw tool:

• 3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
• 2" x 2"
• 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" (for the
  2-3/8" triangles)

I find it easiest to draft in the upper left corner as I can see my ruler lines to easily know how far I need to go to create the patch.  Remember that in Polydraw you must draw the whole patch. 

After selecting the Polydraw tool left click on the 0,0 point on the page.  Go to the  3-1/2,0 mark and left click again.  Then to the 3-1/2, 3-1/2 and left click.  And finally back to 0,0.  Now left click twice to close the block.

Once you have completed the first patch, move it out of the way and create the next two patches.

Step #5 - Now make enough copies of the patches for one block by using the clone button (see my red circle around the cone button.  I made 4 3-1/2" squares, 8 2-1/2" squares (there are 2 patches for each square per the cutting chart, so I only needed 8 squares for the 16 triangle patches), and 1 2" square.   

Step # 6 - Place the patches in rows to get the best use of the fabric.  Also try to consider how best to do the layout for rotary cutting efficiencies (i.e. all the 3-1/2" patches in one row).  As you can see I can squeeze all the pieces in a 6" x 20" piece of fabric.

Step # 7  Left click with your mouse and drag a box around all of your patches.  Then copy, paste (you now have a complete set for a second block).  Fit those pieces below your first section.  Do a third paste and fit those below your second section.  You can see that everything fits into the 18 x 20 inch block. 

So you can make three Bear's Paw block with one fat quarter.

Step #8  Color your block.  Make each size a different color.  Add to sketchbook.  At this point I would also print out and make add reference marks with sizes for each of the color coded squares.  You now have a very efficient cutting chart for the dark fat quarters.

Step #9 - I would also suggest going to the project sketchbook and including notes on the size of the block in case you need to refer back to your work.  

Now let's do the same for the background pieces.  I won't go through all the steps, but will show you the final layout.  First one block, then three blocks.  

I needed to move a few of the 2" patches (see those circled in blue) to make best use of my fat quarter.

Also note that you can rotate the pieces as well to optimize your layout.  In this case it was most efficient to do the 2" x 5" pieces with the long side horizontally.

I learned that I could cut backgrounds for three blocks out of one fat quarter.

I hope you find this useful.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Quilting.

Kari

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Last week I provided free instructions for Daffodil Days, a small wall quilt.  Since this week heralded the first day of spring, the quilt is a reminder of the flowers that begin to bloom during this season.

In my part of the world we still have a couple of feet of snow on the group, so this may be the only reminder I have of spring for at least a few more weeks.

I pieced my blocks for this quilt last Saturday (National Quilting Day), and then agonized over the fabric for the setting triangles.  Fortunately a number of Facebook fans offered opinions and I decided on the "teal" fabric.  The border was a fun fabric I picked up at Four Season Quilt Shop in Maple Grove MN.

Here is my version of the quilt (still minus the binding):

I recognize that some may have put off piecing the quilt as you couldn't find the Corner Beam™ trimmer.  I will mention that I have a few for sale in my store.  I really think the ruler is amazing and makes doing these blocks a breeze.  

However I thought I would also offer some alternate instructions for cutting and trimming down these units without the tool.

This is the quilt that got me interested in quilting. My grandmother made it for me (probably in the late 60s or early 70s). I loved the quilt and when it began to wear out I wanted another one for my bed.

When I look at it today, it isn't very "inspiring" -- but I still treasure it as a gift from my grandmother. She has been gone for many decades -- but her memory and her handiwork -- are still with me.

Note that she appliqued the corners on the alternate blocks. There were no rotary cutting tools at this time. It was also hand quilted (and is probably the only hand quilted quilt that will ever grace my bed).

Do you have a quilt that got you interested in quilt making?

Earlier this week I saw a post about cleaning your iron. As my Oliso was very unkindly purging white mineral deposits when using steam, I thought I would give it a try.

I mixed 1/4 cup vinegar with 1/4 cup water and put in reserve. Steamed it through the iron.

Then mixed 1/2 cup of baking soda with a couple of tablespoons of water. Put that on the sole plate and let sit for 45 minutes. Wiped clean. (Warning -- do not do this when the iron is hot. Unless you want added entertainment with the exercise)

The iron is currently looking pretty good and so far no mineral deposits when steaming!

Give it a try.

Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt. 

Have you heard that Saturday, March 15th is National Quilting Day?  How will you celebrate?

If you haven't come up with a plan -- I have one that you might be interested in trying.

Earlier in the week, I drafted "Daffodil Days" in Electric Quilt.  I plan to make the quilt on National Quilting Day and want to invite you to join me.

Instructions (hot off the computer)are included in this post.

The blocks on this quilt measure 3" x 3" finished and the overall quilt will measure 21" x 21".

I picked up some fabrics at the quilt shop this afternoon to get me started.  Quilt can be done with fat quarters.

Cutting Charts:

Daffodil Block Construction - Make 12 Blocks

Leaf Block - Make 12

For the Leaf Block, I used a tool from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design.  I love using these rulers as they provide for pieces that are slightly over-cut and then cut down once they are pieced.  This gets rid of many challenges with block construction.  For this block I am using the Corner Beam™ tool.

I've taken photos of the cutting and construction of this block as I think it really helps see how the ruler is used.  

Use Corner Beam™ to cut and discard the  left corner of Green F 4”□.

Reposition Green F so the line just cut matches the slanted dotted line on the ruler.  The cut and discard the right corner.  

Layer pieces right sides together and raw edges even.  Shift Background E down a little over ¼ inch so the point of the green piece is visible.  Sew one side, press and then sew the other side.

Finishing Instructions

My plans are to work on this throughout National Quilting Day.  I will be posting some pictures of my progress on Facebook.

I am offering free US shipping in my Store -- one day only.  In addition to my original quilting patterns, I am selling a number of the Deb Tucker rulers including the Corner Beam.

Also -- there are only three days left on the sale of my newest pattern "Smiling Irish Eyes". 


Sale price is $6.

Happy Quilting.

Kari
On Point Quilter

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Do you ever finish your quilt top and then agonize over "How should I quilt this?"

In my most recent quilt pattern, Smiling Irish Eyes, I played it "safe" with quilting one of the samples.  I quilted in the ditch around the shamrocks and stitched a few lines through the Irish Chain. 

For the other quilt in the pattern, I decided to spruce it up a bit.  Click on the photo to see the quilting close up.

I created a swirl in/out design for the shamrock blocks.

I also drafted a couple of shamrocks to use in the background spaces.

I also wanted to incorporate shamrocks in the border.

I even came up with a Shamrock wreath to use in the Celtic block.

If you would like to use these designs for quilting your St. Patrick's Day projects, I have included pdfs of each of the designs in the "Free Stuff" page or you can click on any of the photos above.  You will want to check the size before using and resize as necessary.

Some of you may have "Art and Stitch", a program used to draw digitized designs.  If so, you will be interested in my video "How to draw a shamrock in Art and Stitch".  The video covers drafting a basic shamrock.

Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.

Go for the Gold -- the final reveal.

Here is the free layout for those quilt blocks that have been presented over the past two weeks.

Refer to earlier blog posts for cutting charts for each of the blocks in this quilt.

The quilt finishes 80" x 92".  As you can see I used the Olympic Patchwork flags as color inspiration for this quilt.  This layout would also work very well with blocks from a BOM (Block of the Month) program.

I hope you have enjoyed this short series.  I would love to see photos of any finished quilts.

I am announcing the release of a new pattern - Smiling Irish Eyes.  This pattern incorporate three Irish themes -- a shamrock block, an Irish chain block, plus a Celtic block,  The blocks are small (6" finished) -- however they are easy to piece with techniques for over-sized construction with trim downs of various units.

Release special -- The pattern normally sells for $8.  However, if you purchase before St. Patrick's Day (March 17th), the pattern will be on sale for $6 (a 25% discount).

Happy quilting.

Kari

Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.