One of my favorite quilt layouts starts with just two simple blocks. The design itself is easy to create, but the possibilities are almost endless.

The real magic happens when you combine the layout with the Serendipity tools in Electric Quilt 8. By inserting different blocks into one of the layout blocks, you can create unique quilt designs that showcase a favorite fabric collection—or finally put those treasured fabrics you've been saving for years to good use.

This quilt uses two simple blocks:

• A Square-in-a-Square block
• A Sashing block with two diagonal lines

Both can be drafted quickly using the EasyDraw toolkit in EQ8.

One question I hear frequently is, "Where can I find that block in the Library?" For simple designs like these, I often find it faster to draft the block from scratch rather than spend time searching through the Library. Save the Library for more complex blocks and specialty designs.

For coloring, I chose to use solid colors rather than fabrics. Since I knew I would be experimenting with multiple fabric collections later, I didn't want to become attached to a particular color scheme too early in the design process.

To create the ribbon effect in the finished quilt, I made two different color versions of the sashing block.

EQ8 offers several Serendipity options, but for this project we'll focus on Merge Block.

After selecting Merge Block:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the block list on the left and select the Square-in-a-Square block.
2. On the right side, choose the default Variable Star block.
3. Select Add to Sketchbook.

The resulting block combines elements from both designs, creating an entirely new block while preserving the framework needed for the quilt layout.

Continue experimenting by selecting additional blocks from the EQ Library and merging them with the Square-in-a-Square block. Every combination creates a fresh design opportunity.

Return to the Quilt Worktable and select:

Block Tools > Set Block

Scroll to the end of the block list to find your newly created merged blocks.

Hold down the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) and click on one of the Square-in-a-Square blocks in the quilt. Replace it with one of the merged blocks from your Sketchbook.

To quickly explore fabric options, use the Swap Fabrics tool under Coloring Tools.

For my sample quilts, I used the following fabric collections:

• Coral Reef by Deborah Edwards and Melanie Samra for Northcott Fabrics, the April 2026 Fabric of the Month download from DoYouEQ.com.
• PUNC*T by e bond for FreeSpirit Fabrics, the May 2026 Fabric of the Month download from DoYouEQ.com.

The same layout takes on a completely different personality depending on the fabrics you choose.

Watch the full video for a complete walkthrough of drafting the blocks, building the layout, creating Serendipity variations, and recoloring the quilt in Electric Quilt 8.

​After assembling the block, use the Square Squared ruler to trim the center unit to approximately 9" x 9" if needed.

Then use the ruler again to align the seam intersections and trim the completed block to an accurate 12½" x 12½" unfinished size.

​This extra trimming step helps ensure precise points and accurate block sizing.

This is one of those quilt concepts that can quickly become addictive. Once you start experimenting with different merged blocks and fabric collections, it's hard to stop at just one version.

I'd love to see what you create.

​Which blocks would you merge into the design? What fabric collection would you choose? Share your creations in the Learning EQ Facebook Group and inspire others with your unique ribbon quilt designs.

Then my Quilt Layouts with EQ8 class was designed for you.

For a limited time, I'm opening this popular Tech Know Quilters class to all EQ8 users.

During this one-month class, you'll learn how to:

• Work confidently with Layers 1, 2, and 3
• Add quilting designs directly into quilt layouts
• Use custom set tools to create advanced quilt designs
• Modify and personalize standard EQ library layouts
• Design one-patch and stained-glass style quilts
• Create sampler quilts with custom block sizing
• Build dimensional "baby blocks" quilts
• Turn photos into pixel-style quilt designs
• Simplify pixel quilts for easier piecing
• Analyze existing quilts and determine the best EQ8 layout tools for recreating them

By the end of the class, you'll have a much deeper understanding of quilt layouts and the confidence to create designs that go far beyond the standard options.

Special Sale Price: $53 (Regularly $73)

​Enrollment is open through May 31, 2026.

While searching for the perfect project inspiration, I discovered the American Tapestry Quilt Blocks Panel by QT Fabrics on Etsy. Designed by Dan Morris, this patriotic panel celebrates classic red, white, and blue Americana style.

The 44" x 36" panel contains 24 unique six-inch blocks with enough spacing between the motifs to allow for seam allowances. It immediately reminded me of the antique Calendar quilt layout, and I knew it would be the perfect choice for recreating the design in EQ8.
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Download the American Tapestry panel image and save it to your computer. I recommend placing it in your My EQ8 > Images folder so it will be easy to locate later.

Since the panel will not be used as a single fabric image in the quilt, there’s no need to cut it into 24 separate files. Instead, resize the image to match the physical dimensions of the panel and save it as a fabric within your EQ8 project.

To fill the remaining spaces in the quilt, create three additional PolyDraw blocks:

• On-Point Square
• Modified On-Point Square for quilt edges
• Modified On-Point Square for quilt corners

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By drafting these shapes in PolyDraw and placing them on Layer 2, you can take full advantage of EQ8’s Snap to Grid feature. This makes positioning and aligning the blocks incredibly easy.

After all the blocks are in place, experiment with color placement and fabric combinations. Although not shown in the video, I also created a second version of the quilt using coordinating American Tapestry fabrics from QT Fabrics.

You can download individual fabric swatches directly from their website.

Be sure to watch the full video for step-by-step instructions on drafting and assembling this quilt layout in EQ8.

Do you struggle with moving beyond simple horizontal and on-point quilt layouts? Or wonder how to choose the best layout when designing a quilt?

For a limited time, I’m opening my Quilt Layouts in EQ8 class to quilters outside of the Tech Know Quilters membership.

In this one-month class, you’ll learn how to:

• Work confidently with Layers 1, 2, and 3
• Add quilting designs directly into quilt layouts
• Use custom set tools for advanced layouts
• Modify standard EQ library layouts
• Design one-patch and stained-glass style quilts
• Create sampler quilts with personalized sizing
• Build dimensional “baby blocks” quilts
• Turn photos into pixelated quilt designs
• Simplify pixel quilts for easier piecing
• Analyze existing quilts and determine the best EQ8 layout tools to recreate them

This hands-on class is designed to help you think creatively while mastering practical EQ8 skills.

The class is currently on sale for $53 (regularly $73) and enrollment is open through May 30, 2026.

A potato chip quilt is one of those projects that quickly becomes addictive — once you start sewing, it’s hard to stop at just one. This beginner-friendly quilt pattern is perfect for using up scraps, precuts, or jelly rolls, and it relies on a single patch size throughout the design: typically 2-1/2" x 4-1/2".
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While many potato chip quilts are assembled into traditional blocks, you can also create a striking quilt layout without pieced blocks at all. In this week’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to design a dynamic potato chip quilt in EQ8 using only 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles.

Open EQ8 and begin on the Quilt Worktable.

1. Select New Quilt > Horizontal Quilt
2. Set the layout to:
   • 2 blocks horizontal
   • 2 blocks vertical
   • Block size: 2" x 4"

​Next, move to the Borders tab. Each border in this design uses the Blocks border style.

Border Setup

• Border 1
  • Add to the Top and Bottom
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 1
• Border 2
  • Add to the Left and Right
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 2
• Border 3
  • Add to the Top and Bottom
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 2
• Border 4
  • Add to the Left and Right
  • Width: 2"
  • Blocks in border: 3

Continue alternating between top/bottom and left/right borders, increasing the number of blocks with each round. This keeps the patch proportions consistent at either 2" x 4" or 4" x 2".​

To finish the quilt, you can optionally add:

• A long horizontal border
• A binding border

One of the easiest ways to create visual impact in this design is by alternating light and dark fabrics with each round of borders. The contrast creates movement and emphasizes the layered layout created by the rectangles.
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Experiment with different fabric placements in EQ8 to see how color value changes the overall appearance of the quilt.

EQ8 makes it easy to determine how many rectangles you’ll need from each fabric.

Go to:
Print & Export > Yardage

EQ8 will generate a fabric chart showing:

• Each fabric used
• The number of patches required

​If you added finishing borders (such as a long horizontal border or mitered border), remember to subtract those pieces from the totals to calculate the exact number of 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles needed for cutting.

Watch the video below to follow the complete quilt design process step by step in EQ8.

Are you planning to give your mother flowers for Mother’s Day? This year, why not create a quilted flower that can be enjoyed long after fresh flowers fade? In this week’s EQ8 tutorial, I’ll walk you through designing two floral-inspired wall quilts that are perfect for spring decorating or heartfelt handmade gifts.

As an added bonus, I’m also sharing free downloadable files for the featured blocks at the end of this post.

In the video tutorial, I demonstrate:

• Setting up the custom flower block in EasyDraw
• Adjusting snaps and graph settings for accurate drafting
• Creating the tulip flower head
• Modifying the block for alternate flower styles
• Designing a Dresden flower in PolyDraw
• Setting the quilt layout and borders
• Coloring the quilt using the Color Club fabrics

​You’ll also see how easy it is to experiment with different flower heads and fabric combinations.

Here are the finished quilt layouts from the tutorial. One of the things I love most about this project is how easily the fabrics can be changed. Try pulling favorite prints from your stash or choose colors that reflect your mother’s personal style.

​Soft pastels, bold brights, or even scrappy florals would all work beautifully in these designs.

Ready to start sewing your own flower quilt? Download the files below to get started:

• 4" x 15" Tulip Foundation Pattern
• 4" x 15" Flower Block Foundation Without Head Foundation
• Dresden Flower Head Templates

​I’d love to hear which flower version you prefer — the tulip or the Dresden flower. Or perhaps you created your own custom flower head design. Be sure to share your projects and ideas in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

My local guild, Maple Grove Quilters, is hosting their quilt show this weekend—and it’s always one of my favorite events of the year. This group is filled with incredibly talented quilters, and I love spending the day catching up with friends while admiring their beautiful work.

As this year’s show approached, I realized something: I really hadn’t been quilting much over the past couple of years. Between moving—and sorting through, organizing, and gifting a large portion of my 35 years of quilting supplies—my creative time had taken a back seat.

So I made a decision.

If I wanted quilts to enter in the show, it was time to pull out those unfinished quilt tops and get them completed.

My original plan was to keep things simple with pantographs. But along the way, I decided to stretch myself and incorporate some custom quilting as well. Was it perfect? No. Was it fun? Absolutely.

To speed up the finishing process, I also tried something new—attaching my bindings by machine after watching a few YouTube tutorials. That alone made a huge difference in how quickly I could complete each quilt.

And finally, on Sunday, I wrapped everything up by designing labels for each quilt—all created in Electric Quilt 8.

In this post, I’ll share my finished quilts, their coordinating labels, and walk you through my label-making process so you can create your own.

For each of my labels, I chose to feature a block from the quilt itself. It’s a simple way to create a cohesive, professional look that ties everything together.

Some of my quilts were made from patterns, while others were designs I created in Electric Quilt—sometimes in earlier versions of the software. Rather than hunting down old project files, I found it faster to simply draft (or redraft) the blocks in a new project file.

My Label Design Process

Here are a few tips to guide you:

• When coloring your label, choose fabrics that coordinate with the quilt rather than trying to match them exactly.
• Set up the block in a horizontal quilt layout using a single block sized at 20" x 20".
• Add a 1" border around the block.
• On Layer 2, include text such as the quilt name, your name, and the completion year.
• Add the design to your Sketchbook to save it.
• Under Print & Export, export the image at:
  • Size: 8" x 8"
  • Resolution: 300 DPI
  • Turn off both “Outline Patches” and “Outline Blocks”
• Save the image to your computer.

Be sure to watch the video for a full step-by-step walkthrough.

Now, a word of caution.

Electric Quilt recommends using an InkJet printer for a reason. When using a laser printer:

• Print one sheet at a time
• Allow the printer to cool between pages
• Avoid overheating (you don’t want to melt the backing sheet!)

I also noticed that the toner sits on top of the fabric, making the labels feel a bit stiff. There may also be issues with colorfastness, as some rubbing occurred during handling.

​Because of this, I would not recommend this method for quilts that will be frequently washed.

Here are the quilts I completed for the show, along with their coordinating labels—all designed in Electric Quilt 8.
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For each label, I drafted a block that either appears in the quilt or was inspired by its design. My goal was to keep each label simple while still creating a clear connection to the quilt.

Rise n/ Shine (49" x 49")

This pattern is by Julia Papa of Sunflower Hill Designs. The quilt top was pieced many years ago, and it felt especially satisfying to finally return to it and complete the quilting this year.

Irish Eyes (46" x 46") 

This quilt was inspired by a design created by Irma Gail Hatcher, which I first saw when it was featured as one of the finalists in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine’s “Discovery: A New World in Quilting” contest.

After drafting my own version in Electric Quilt, I later developed custom quilting designs for a “How Do I Quilt This?” tutorial for Art & Stitch.

In 2026, I finally brought all the elements together and finished the quilt.

Hearts Galore (74" x 90") 

After winning a collection of heart blocks at a quilt retreat, I designed this quilt in EQ8 to showcase them. I paired the heart blocks with large triangle units to create a layout that appears to be set on point—but is actually constructed in a horizontal setting, making it much more approachable to piece.

Jo’s Little Women Signature Block Exchange  (32" x 41")

For many years, I participated in a Jo’s Little Women group at a local quilt shop. One year, we exchanged signature blocks, and this quilt became the perfect way to preserve those memories.

​I designed the layout in EQ8 to highlight each block while maintaining a cohesive overall design.

Whim Wham Stars (28" x 28") 

This small quilt features a block from my published Whim Wham Stars pattern. It’s a great example of how a single block can shine in a smaller project.