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When I think of Labor Day, I think of picnics, barbeques, and a last trip to celebrate the end of summer.
Or that it is back to school time for many. I found it fascinating to learn a little bit more about origin of Labor Day in the US.
According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is observed the first Monday in September. Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
When doing a search for Labor Day quilts, I couldn't find any -- so I decided to design one of my own. Using Electric Quilt 8 (of course). For the quilt I decided to include a five pointed applique star decorated with "flag fabrics" as recognition that this is a federal holiday in the US. I also decided to include a variety of tools -- as they represent items used by many of the early workers in the US. Fortunately, I found blocks that would work in the EQ8 Library under Foundation Pieced>Tools.
For coloring the blocks and quilt, I used:
Learn how to draft the block and quilt in this video.
Here is my final quilt.
Pick a text that is available on your computer (and is available in your drop down under the EQ Typeface options). I used a font called Permanent Marker. I am not sure of the source, but I liked the more casual look and feel for this quilt. 
Labor Day Quilt
Of course this star would not need to be just for Labor Day. I would love to see what you choose to do with it.
I've set up a post in the Learning EQ Facebook group, where you can share pictures of your quilt(s).
A four day flash sale for Tech Know Quilters will be starting on Monday, August 26, 2024. To get information, make sure to subscribe to my On Point Quilter newsletter.
PolyDraw Wagon Wheels - New Block and Quilt
The blocks and quilt I am sharing today were designed by Mary Groesbeck. Mary is a pattern designer, longarm quilter and a member of my Tech Know Quilters membership program. Check out some of Mary’s other work on her website.
If you have used PolyDraw in Electric Quilt 8, you may have noticed that nodes can only be placed at intersections of a grid. That can make it a bit of a challenge when a block needs to combine two different grids.
The Wagon Wheel block has aspects of a circular grid -- but the layout has sashing in the center of the block. This sashing cannot be part of the circular grid. So for that we will need to use the rectangle grid. Sound confusing. It really isn't. Check out the video tutorial and see how you can combine those grids for the Wagon Wheels block and quilt.
Here are the blocks from the video.
Here are two quilts -- the one I drew during the video and Mary's original quilt.
I would love to see what you do with the Wagon Wheel block. Feel free to share pictures in the Learning EQ8 Facebook group.
Tech Know Quilter Showcase
Enjoy seeing how Tech Know Quilter members stretch themselves to create new blocks and quilts using Electric Quilt 8.
It is always fun seeing how they chose to take what they are learning in the classes to the next level.
Do you have a favorite golfer in your life?
They are going to love this mini-quilt (or possibly a placemat). And it is super easy to make. Start by creating the golf block. This was designed for my Summer Games EQ8 Challenge. This block is conducive to foundation piecing. Would you like the pattern? You can purchase it at my online store for only $2.50.
Here is the image you can use for tracing.
Golf Image for Tracing
Enjoy the video tutorial on drafting the foundation friendly block.
Then create a quilt layout.
I decided to add two additional blocks:
Both these blocks could be foundation pieced -- or rotary cut. Your choice! Learn how to create the additional blocks and quilt in this tutorial.
Here are the blocks and quilt from the video.
 Golf Mini-Quilt Designed in EQ8
The quilt finishes 12-1/2" x 9". The perfect size for a mini-quilt (or placemat).
I would love to see what you do with the golf block. Post pictures in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.
Here is my finished quilt block.
Golf Finished Block by Kari Schell
The Paris Olympics are wrapping up this weekend -- and so is the opportunity to purchase the Summer Games EQ8 Challenge class at 80% off.
Included in the class:
Final chance to to purchase the entire class for $21.99 (value $243.50). The sale ends Monday, August 12, 2024! 
On Sale for $21.99 through August 12.
Fencing EQ8 Tutorial
Fencing’s origins can be found in swordplay, which has been practiced for thousands of years—as evidenced by the discovery of carvings depicting fencers that date to around 1190 BCE which were discovered in a temple near Luxor, Egypt.
Fencing was among the nine sports on the 1896 Olympic program. The Athens competition drew Greek royalty, including King George I. Foil expert Leon Pyrgos, the son of a former fencing master in the army, became Greece's first gold medalist of the modern Games. In fencing, two athletes holding a weapon in one hand face each other to strike their opponent on a valid target of the body. The rules differ depending on which of the three weapons is being used: foil, épée and sabre. Save the fencing tracing image on your computer. 
Fencing Image for Tracing
Watch the Fencing video tutorial.
Post a picture of your design on Facebook.
Here is my pieced fencing block.
Are you ready to purchase the entire Summer Games series -- with 24 blocks plus quilt layouts?
As a reminder the $21.99 sale price ends Monday -- August 12, 2024.
Athletics has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics.
The athletics program traces its earliest roots to events used in the ancient Greek Olympics. The modern program includes track and field events, road running events, and race walking events. This tutorial where share how to draft a foundation friendly athletics block.
Set...
Watch the video to see how to draft this block using EQ8
Extra Laps...
Would you like a small bonus? Check out how to create a mini-quilt using your block and the Auto Border option in Electric Quilt 8. This is a super fun way to finish off your quilt.
Here is my finished quilt from the video. This used the Athletics block and Picket Border 7 from Auto-Borders.
Athletics Mini-Quilt by Kari Schell
Are you interested in more of these tutorials?
I currently have a challenge going on that combines some of our favorite summer sports with tutorials on drafting foundation friendly blocks using EQ8. You can learn more about the challenge here. The challenge is currently on sales for $21.99 (80% off the regular price of $109.99). This is my Olympics pricing bonus for readers of my newsletter and blog. 
Summer Games EQ8 Challenge Highlights
Block Highlights
Some challenge participants followed the tracing image....
And others personalized their designs. One of the true beauties of using Electric Quilt, is we are no longer constrained by someone else's design. But we have the freedom to make them our own.
Quilt Ideas from Challenge Participants
A number of the challenge participants began put their early blocks in a quilt. I am super impressed by their quilt designs.
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