Kari Schell On Point Quilter Blog

4 Creative Ways to Use Charm Squares in a Quilt (EQ8 Tutorial)

4/18/2026

Over the years, I’ve collected more charm packs than I care to admit—and even went through a phase of cutting my own 5" squares from leftover fabric. There’s just something irresistible about those little bundles that showcase an entire fabric collection in perfectly coordinated pieces.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to draft a charm-friendly quilt design using Electric Quilt 8. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into your stash—or give yourself a great excuse to pick up a new charm pack or two.

What is a Charm Pack?

A charm pack is a bundle of pre-cut 5" x 5" fabric squares, typically including around 42 pieces from a single designer collection. Because the fabrics are already coordinated, charm packs make it easy to jump right into sewing without spending time on fabric prep.

They’re perfect for scrappy quilts, small projects, or any design where you want a variety of fabrics with a cohesive look.

Fabric Selection

For the video tutorial, I used Wildflower Cottage by Renee Nanneman for Andover. Fabric downloads for this collection are available at Do You EQ.

Do You EQ Wildflower Cottage Collection

If your style leans more modern, you might enjoy Cheeto’s World by Kimberly Einmo for Benartex—a bold, vibrant collection that brings a completely different feel to the same design.

Do You EQ Cheeto's World Collection

Wildflower Cottage Fabrics

Cutting Up Your Charm Squares

Each charm square starts at 5" x 5". From there, you have a couple of options:

Cut in half:
Two pieces at 2-1/2" x 5"
(unfinished size: 2" x 4-1/2")
Cut into quarters:
Four pieces at 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
(unfinished size: 2" x 2")

For this design, I challenged myself to use both sizes in the same block.

Cutting Charms in Half

Cutting Charms into Quarters

Tip: You could also cut these patches from Jelly Roll strips.

Designing Your Charm Friendly Block in EQ8

Follow these steps to draft the block:

On the Block Worktable, select New Block > Pieced > EasyDraw.
Set the following:
- Block size to 4" x 9"
- Snaps: 8 x 18 (every 1/2")
- Enable Snap to Grid only.
Use the Grid Tool to create a 2 x 2 grid.
Add diagonal lines in each corner.
Color the block—try a consistent background fabric in the corners for a clean look.

Drafting the EasyDraw Block

Charm Friendly Block

Four Quilt Layout Ideas

One block -- four very different looks!

Layout 1: Vertical Strip

Create a Vertical Strip Quilt with 7 strips.
Alternate between:
- Pieced blocks
- Half-drop blocks (for movement and interest)
Add three borders:
- 1" inner
- 4" middle
- 1/2" mitered outer

Vertical Strip Layout

Charm Quilt Layout 1

Layout 2 Vertical Strip (Modified)

Rotate the blocks in each strip to create a fresh design.

Tip:
This version works best if you cut using templates from EQ, and you’ll need mirrored pieces—so consider cutting charms in pairs with right sides together.

Charm Cut #1

Charm Cut #2

Background Charm Cut

Rotated Block 4" x 9" (finished size)

Charm Quilt Layout 2

Layout 3 Horizontal

Set up a Horizontal Quilt
9 blocks across, 1 block down
Block size: 4" x 9"
Add borders:
- 1" inner
- 3" middle
- 1/2" mitered outer

Charm Quilt Layout 3

Layout 4 Horizontal (Modified)

Rotate every other block to add movement and visual interest.

Charm Quilt Layout 4

Video Tutorial

Be sure to watch the full video tutorial for step-by-step guidance on drafting the block and creating all four layouts.

Try It with Different Fabric Collections

I had so much fun testing this design with different fabric lines. Here are a few variations using Layout 1:

Coral Reef by Deborah Edwards & Melanie Smara for Northcott
Cheeto’s World by Kimberly Einmo for Benartex
Winnie the Pooh by Echo Park for Riley Blake

Each one creates a completely different look with the exact same block!

Coral Reef Fabric in Charm Quilt

Cheetos World Fabric in Charm Quilt

Winnie the Pooh Fabric in Charm Quilt

Piecing Your Basic Charm Block

Step 1

Sew together four 2-1/2" x 5" rectangles.
Your unit should measure 4-1/2" x 9-1/2".

Step 1

Step 2

Add 2-1/2" background squares to two opposite corners.
Sew diagonally and press toward the corners.

Step 2a

Step 2b

Step 3

Repeat for the remaining two corners.

Step 3a

Step 3b

Your Turn to Play

Now it’s your turn—which charm pack will you use?

I’d love to see what you create! Share your quilt in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I’ve created a dedicated post just for your projects.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Post for Charm Squares Quilt

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.

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The Lincoln Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

4/11/2026

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The Lincoln Quilt Block: History & Inspiration

The Lincoln Quilt Block (#3742) from BlockBase+

In BlockBase+, you’ll find the Lincoln Quilt block (Brackman ID 3742), a design originally published by Anne Orr.

According to quilting lore, the first Lincoln Quilt was pieced in 1809 by Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks. A defining feature of the block is its bold center— a cross-shaped checkerboard—surrounded by four intricate eight-point stars.

This is not a beginner-friendly block. In fact, before the days of rotary cutters and strip piecing, constructing this design would have required an incredible level of precision and patience.

For this tutorial, I wanted to honor the spirit of the original while making it far more approachable for today’s quilters.

My solution?

Replace the complex eight-point stars (based on a circle grid) with a simpler star block featuring a center square
Eliminate inset seams
Add a few strategic lines to simplify construction and make strip piecing possible

The result is a Lincoln-inspired block that is both striking and achievable.

Fabrics

For this project, I used the January 2026 free fabric download from Do You EQ: Celebrating 250 Years by Scott Flanagan for Northcott Fabrics.

This batik collection is a vibrant tribute to the history and spirit of the United States. The palette features rich reds, soft off-whites, and bold blues—echoing the colors of the American flag.

Motifs include:

Stars and stripes
Fireworks-inspired prints
Abstract patriotic designs

It’s a perfect match for a block with historical roots like the Lincoln Quilt.

Celebrating 250 Years Fabric Collection

Celebrating 250 Years Fabric Download from Do You EQ

Drafting a Lincoln Quilt Block Variation

Step 1: Section the Block

Sectioning and Initial Drafting

Start by analyzing the original design. If you count the units across the center (horizontally or vertically), you’ll find 23 squares.

That makes 23 x 23 the ideal grid size for drafting in EasyDraw.

Draw horizontal and vertical lines at 7 and 16
This divides the block into nine sections
Draft a 7" x 7" star in one corner
Create a modified checkerboard unit in the adjacent 9" x 7" section

Step 2: Clone and Rotate

Once your first star and checkerboard sections are complete:

Clone the units
Rotate as needed
Position them in the remaining three corners

Cloned Sections

Step 3: Build the Center

Center Checkerboard

Use the Grid Tool:

Set Columns = 9
Set Rows = 9

This fills in the center checkerboard quickly and accurately.

Step 4: Color Your Block

Now comes the fun part—coloring!

Alternate background fabrics with darks and mediums in the checkerboard
Try a Trip Around the World approach by changing fabrics in each round
Consider using a larger-scale print and fussy cut the star centers for extra impact

Lincoln Quilt Block Variation Created by Kari Schell

Step 5: Cornerstone Block

7 x7 Star Block

For the cornerstones, draft a 7" x 7" block.

If it looks familiar, it should—this uses the same construction as your corner stars, helping maintain consistency across the quilt.

Lincoln Quilt Layout Options

Full Quilt Layout

98" x 98" Lincoln Quilt

To create the quilt:

Select New Quilt > Horizontal
Set blocks to 3 x 3
Set finished block size to 23" x 23"

Sashing settings:

Enable Include sash border
Sashing size: 7" x 7"

Borders:

Size: 0.5"
Style: Mitered

Place your blocks on the Design tab, color as desired, and Add to Sketchbook.

Finished size: 98" x 98"
A beautiful option for a queen-size bed.

For a quick project:

Change layout to 1 x 1 block
Add to Sketchbook

Finished size: 38" x 38"
Perfect for a baby quilt or wall hanging.

38" x 38" Lincoln Quilt

Watch the Design Process

Be sure to watch the video tutorial for a step-by-step walkthrough of drafting the block and building the quilt layout in EQ8.

Let's See Your Design!

Which version do you prefer—the full quilt or the smaller wall hanging? Or are you putting your own spin on the Lincoln block?

I’d love to see what you create! Share your projects in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.

Lincoln Quilt post in the 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.

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Lion and the Lamb Panel Quilt (Perfect for Easter) EQ8 Tutorial

4/4/2026

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A Perfect Quilt for Easter Weekend

Growing up, I often heard the phrase, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Living in North Dakota, that felt especially true—although I can certainly remember a few late-season snowstorms that challenged that idea! And this year it is feeling like April came in like a lion.

That saying has always stuck with me, which is why a lion and lamb quilt felt like the perfect project to feature as we move into spring—and especially fitting as we head into Easter weekend.

Lion and Lamb Panel + Coordinating Fabrics

When I first spotted this beautiful panel on Northcott's website, I immediately knew it would make a meaningful and visually striking quilt.

The panel was designed by Abraham Hunter for Northcott Fabrics, and the entire collection is filled with rich symbolism and coordinating prints.

Alongside the main panel, I found:

Inspirational Bible verses
Cross motifs
Faith-based words and text prints
Soft clouds and subtle textures

All of these elements work together beautifully, making it easy to create a cohesive quilt design centered around the panel.

Lion and Lamb Panel from Northcott Fabrics

At the time Northcott provided a downloadable zip file of the fabric collection on their website. The images were accurately sized, which made them incredibly easy to use in Electric Quilt—no resizing adjustments needed!

Unfortunately they no longer have the file on their website. However the fabric itself is available from various online stores. Here is the link to one site that still has the panel along with some of the coordinating fabrics.

Kingdom Quilts Available Lion and Lamb Fabrics

I did a search on my computer and found the original download I did from Northcott. You will need to save and unzip on your computer if you wish to use the file.

Lion and the Lamb Original Fabric Downloads

Tip: Not all manufacturers offer pre-sized fabric downloads. In my Tech Know Quilters class, we cover multiple ways to import fabrics into EQ8 and how to adjust them when needed to make them “EQ-friendly.”

Designing Pieced Borders for Panels

Designing borders for a rectangular panel—especially one that’s around 43 inches on one side—can feel a bit tricky.

The good news? Electric Quilt has a fantastic no-math solution.

Using the Tile Square Border option, you can:

Add square blocks around your panel
Let EQ automatically calculate spacing
Include corner and spacer blocks for a perfect fit

It takes the guesswork out of border design and lets you focus on creativity instead.

And then go ahead and fill those square blocks with simple blocks drawn in EasyDraw.

Border Block 1 for Lion and Lamb Panel Quilt

Border Block 2 for Lion and Lamb Panel Quilt

Finding Coordinating Fabrics in the EQ Library

Coordinating Fabric Search

To add even more depth to my quilt, I decided to bring in additional purple fabrics that complemented the Northcott collection.

In the video, I walk through how to:

Identify the exact hue within your fabric
Search the EQ library for coordinating prints
Blend new fabrics seamlessly into your design

Watch the Full Design Process

Want to see how it all comes together?

In the video below, I walk you through the entire process—from importing fabrics to designing borders and selecting coordinating prints.

The Finished Quilt

Here is the finished quilt from the video:

Lion and Lamb Panel Quilt designed by Kari Schell

This quilt finishes at approximately 61" x 46" (before binding)—a wonderful size for a shawl or prayer quilt. It’s the kind of project that can offer comfort and encouragement, making it especially meaningful to gift to someone going through a difficult time.

Share Your Quilt!

If you create this design—or any panel quilt of your own—I would love to see it!

Please feel free to share your photos in the Learning EQ Facebook group and inspire others in the community.

Learning EQ Facebook Post for Lion and Lamb Panel Quilt

Closing Thought

Whether you’re drawn to the symbolism of the lion and the lamb or simply love working with panels, this quilt is a beautiful reminder of peace, hope, and care—perfect for Easter and beyond.

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.

4 Comments

4 Creative Ways to Use Charm Squares in a Quilt (EQ8 Tutorial)

Fabric Selection

Cutting Up Your Charm Squares

Designing Your Charm Friendly Block in EQ8

Four Quilt Layout Ideas

One block -- four very different looks!

Layout 1: Vertical Strip

Layout 2 Vertical Strip (Modified)

Layout 3 Horizontal

Layout 4 Horizontal (Modified)

Video Tutorial

Try It with Different Fabric Collections

Piecing Your Basic Charm Block

Your Turn to Play

The Lincoln Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

The Lincoln Quilt Block: History & Inspiration

Fabrics

Drafting a Lincoln Quilt Block Variation

Step 1: Section the Block

Step 2: Clone and Rotate

Step 3: Build the Center

Step 4: Color Your Block

Step 5: Cornerstone Block

Lincoln Quilt Layout Options

Full Quilt Layout

Watch the Design Process

Let's See Your Design!

Lion and the Lamb Panel Quilt (Perfect for Easter) EQ8 Tutorial

Lion and Lamb Panel + Coordinating Fabrics

Designing Pieced Borders for Panels

Finding Coordinating Fabrics in the EQ Library

Watch the Full Design Process

The Finished Quilt

Share Your Quilt!

Closing Thought

Kari Schell

Categories

Archives

4 Creative Ways to Use Charm Squares in a Quilt (EQ8 Tutorial)

Fabric Selection

Cutting Up Your Charm Squares

Designing Your Charm Friendly Block in EQ8

Four Quilt Layout Ideas One block -- four very different looks!

Layout 1: Vertical Strip

Layout 2 Vertical Strip (Modified)

Layout 3 Horizontal

Layout 4 Horizontal (Modified)

Video Tutorial

Try It with Different Fabric Collections

Piecing Your Basic Charm Block

Your Turn to Play

The Lincoln Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

The Lincoln Quilt Block: History & Inspiration

Fabrics

Drafting a Lincoln Quilt Block Variation

Step 1: Section the Block

Step 2: Clone and Rotate

Step 3: Build the Center

​Step 4: Color Your Block

​Step 5: Cornerstone Block

Lincoln Quilt Layout Options

​Full Quilt Layout

Watch the Design Process

Let's See Your Design!

Lion and the Lamb Panel Quilt (Perfect for Easter) EQ8 Tutorial

​Lion and Lamb Panel + Coordinating Fabrics

​Designing Pieced Borders for Panels

​Finding Coordinating Fabrics in the EQ Library

​Watch the Full Design Process

​The Finished Quilt

Share Your Quilt!​

​Closing Thought

Kari Schell

﻿Categories﻿

Archives

GET MY NEWSLETTER FOR REGULAR EQ AWESOMENESS!

Four Quilt Layout Ideas

One block -- four very different looks!

Step 4: Color Your Block

Step 5: Cornerstone Block

Full Quilt Layout

Lion and Lamb Panel + Coordinating Fabrics

Designing Pieced Borders for Panels

Finding Coordinating Fabrics in the EQ Library

Watch the Full Design Process

The Finished Quilt

Share Your Quilt!

Closing Thought

Categories