Kari Schell On Point Quilter Blog

Tippy Trees

8/30/2025

Announcing a Back to School sale on EQ8 Made Easy. 50% off Coupon (good through September 3, 2025) is available in the August 30, 2025 newsletter. If you didn't receive your newsletter and want a copy of the coupon, send me a note.

In the United States, this is Labor Day weekend. It is the "unofficial" end of summer, and beginning of fall. So I decided to play with a new fall fabric collection.

I chose The Awe of Autumn by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs. If you happen to own the 2025 Stash Download 2 from the Electric Quilt Company, you can easily use the collection to color your project.

You can also download the fabrics directly from Riley Blake -- but that is a little more work. You can find it under 2024 Storyboards Release 5.

The Awe of Autumn Fabric Collection from Riley Blake Designs

Tippy Trees EQ8 Tutorial

Ditch the constraints of Snap to Grid, with a new tree block.

Each tree block will be original. And can be pieced as a single foundation.

Combine five trees for a fast and easy quilt.

Tippy Trees Block

On the Block Worktable select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw.

On the Precision toolbar, set the block width at 6 and height at 48.

Set the snaps Horizontal and Vertical at 4 (this doesn't matter since we won't be snapping to grid).

Set the Snapping Options at Snap to Node Only.

Precision Toolbar Settings

With the Line tool, start at the center of the top.

Draw a slanted line to the right edge.

Draw a second slanted line to the left edge.

Draw a line over the two slanted lines. Make sure the lines do not touch the outside edge.

Drawing Three Lines for each section of the Tree

With the Edit tool, select the 3rd line.

Select At Intersections. This will split the line into three lines (with the center line between the slanted lines).

Select the center line and select Half.

Split Lines using the Edit Tool

Repeat the process, starting the next set of lines at the node created in the center.

Continue to repeat the process until you reach the bottom of the block.

For the last segment, rather than Half, select Thirds.

Draw lines from these nodes to the bottom of the block (for the trunk).

Creating the Tree Trunk

No tree will look the same.

Consider varying the segments by drawing both longer and shorter lines.

For the third line, some could go up, some could go down. You can also raise or lower where the line is placed across the slanted lines.

Here are four versions of the Tippy Tree that I created.

Tippy Tree #1

Tippy Tree #2

Tippy Tree #3

Tippy Tree #4

For each block, select Print & Export. Then Print>Foundation.

Make sure each block can be constructed with a single foundation. You can check this if you go to the Sections tab. You should see a see a single color covering the block.

If it cannot be constructed as a single foundation, go back and correct the block.

If there is an inside corner, you may need to correct a slanted line. (An issue I experienced in the video.)
If there are multiple sections, you may have extended lines from left to right too far. Delete and pieces of these lines that touch an outside edge.

Print Foundation

Tippy Tree Quilt

On the Quilt Worktable, select New Quilt>Horizontal.

On the Layout tab, set the number of blocks at 5 Horizontal and 1 Vertical.

Set the finished size of blocks at 6 x 48.

Under Finished size of Sashing set the Width at 1 and Height at 0.

Layout Tab

Borders:

Border #1: Spaced Squares. Change the lock size adjustment and set Left and Right at 0 and Top and Bottom at 1. Set Blocks in Border at 4 Horizontal.

Border #2: Blocks Aligned Inside. Set Left and Right at 1 and Top and Bottom at 0. Set Blocks in Border at 1 Vertical

Border #3: Long Horizontal. Set size at 1.5.

Border #4: Long Horizontal. Set size at 4.

Border #5: Mitered. Set size at .5.

Tippy Tree Layout with Borders

On the Design tab, place the blocks in the quilt. Consider flipping some of the blocks.

Recolor the patches in the blocks along with the sashing and borders.

Adding Blocks and Fabrics on the Design Tab

Check out the full video tutorial.

Here is the final quilt.

Tippy Trees Quilt

Here is my practice quilt. I colored this one using On Your Mark by Free Spirit. This fabric collection was designed by Seth Apter.

Tippy Trees Quilt using On Your Mark fabric

I am looking forward to seeing your Tippy Trees quilt. Feel free to share your designs in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group - Tippy Trees Post

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.

Nine Patch Fancy Star

8/23/2025

Have you wanted to know how to turn any block into a star? For my fancy star I decided to start with a basic nine patch block.

Check out this tutorial on using Fancy Star -- a really fun feature in EQ8.

Also learn how to create a piecing friendly background for your Fancy Star.

Feature the design in a new quilt layout that uses even more of your diamond shaped 9 patches.

Nine Patch Fancy Star EQ8 Tutorial

If you have the default blocks in your Project Sketchbook, you are set to get started. If not, draft a basic nine patch using EasyDraw and Add to Sketchbook.

On the Block Worktable, select New Block>Create Serendipity>Fancy Star.
Select the nine patch block.
Change the number of star points to eight.
Drag the slider bar to select the largest size.
Add to Sketchbook.

Using Create Serendipity>Fancy Star

View the Project Sketchbook and select the Fancy Star block. Hint: It will be under Motifs.)

Resize the star to fill the worktable.

For snapping options turn on:

Snap to Node
Snap Aligned Segments
Auto Join Segments when Joining
Show Auto-fill on Closed Patches

Use the Line tool under Draw to draw a triangle between two star points.

Turn on Snap to Grid and draw another triangle to fill the space to the corner.

Create Setting Pieces on the Applique Worktable.

Use the Pick tool to select patches.

Clone.

Rotate.

Position between other star points. (They should snap into position if the shapes were drawn correctly and snap aligned segment is turned on.)

Clone, rotate and reposition to fill the applique worktable.

The block was colored with fabrics from the Hoffman 24-7 Tweed Collection.

Nine Patch Fancy Star Block

Nine Patch Star Quilt

Layout Tab

On the Quilt Worktable, set up a New Quilt>Horizontal.

On the Layout tab, set the number of blocks at 2 x 2.

Set the size of blocks at 32 x 32. This size will allow you to cut the diamonds from 2-1/2" strips. A great use for a collection of Jelly Rolls.

Set the size of sashing at 4 inches horizontal and vertical.

Nine Patch Fancy Star Quilt Layout

Borders Tab

On the Borders tab, turn off Lock Size Adjustment All and Turn on Top and Bottom and Left and Right.

Change the size of the Top and Bottom to 6.

Change the size of the Left and Right to 0.

Select Add.

Make Border #2 a Long Horizontal. Change the size to Mitered. Change the size to 1/2 inch.

Nine Patch Fancy Star Border Layout

Design Tab

On the Design tab, under Block Tools>Set Block locate the Fancy Star block and place in the quilt.

Use Fabric tools and color one of the sashing pieces and one of the Border #1 blocks.

Select Print and Export and select and note the size of the sashing and border blocks. This will be used to design new blocks.

Place Fancy Star Blocks in the Quilt

Sashing Block

On the Block Worktable, Select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw.

Set the block Width at 4 and Height at 32.

Set the snaps at 4 x 32.

Snapping options just Snap to Grid.

Using the Line tool, draw diagonal lines and vertical lines for the bottom of the block.

With the Pick tool, Clone and drag the cross-hairs to position immediately above the previous lines.
Fill the block with the sets of mirrored diamonds.

Color the block.

On the Quilt Worktable, place on the quilt and rotate as necessary.

Drafting the Sashing Block

Diamond Sashing Block

Border Block

On the Block Worktable, Select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw.
Set the block Width at 68 and Height at 6.
Set the Snaps at 68 x 6.
Snapping options are just Snap to Grid.
Using the Line tool, draw a diagonal line starting a the lower left corner.
Clone. Rotate 45 degrees. Snap to node on the top edge.
Clone. Snap to node on the bottom edge.
Switch snapping options to just Snap to Grid.
Draw lines connecting nodes at the top and bottom edges.
Go to Color and Add to Sketchbook.

Clone, rotate and position the first diagonal line. Use the edit tool to partition the top and bottom lines.

Clone the diagonal lines and fill the entire block. Overlap the ending lines so the new lines can snap to the previous lines nodes.
Some of the lines will extend over the left and right edges of the block.
With the Edit tool, select an edge and select At Intersections.
With the Pick tool select and delete any line segments outside the block. (This step is critical.)
Select Color and Add to Sketchbook.

After Cloning, delete extra lines outside the block to avoid corrupting your project file.

Under Drawing tools, select the Grid.
Change the columns to 1 and rows to 3.
Drag a grid from the upper left to lower right corners.
Select the Color tab. Color the block. Color adjoining 9 patches to mimic the Nine Point Fancy Star colorations.
Add to Sketchbook to save.

Add a 1 x 3 Grid to turn the diagonal lines into diamonds.

Diamond Nine Patch Border Block 68 x 6

Finishing the Quilt

Add the Border block to the quilt.

Rotate the bottom border block two times.

Use Symmetry and click on a main block to play with different rotations of the Nine Patch Fancy Star block.

Select Add to Sketchbook to save.

Use Symmetry to Play with Block Rotations

Check out the full video tutorial.

Here is the final quilt.

I also decided to try to experiment with coloring some of the setting pieces in the Nine Patch Fancy Star block. Just for fun.

Nine Patch Fancy Star Quilt from Video

Nine Patch Fancy Star - Alternate Coloration Idea

How would you alter the design?

Use a different block to create your fancy star?
Color the 9 patches differently?
Chose a different layout?
Modify the border blocks?

Let me know what you decide to do. I've set up a separate post in the Learning EQ Facebook group where you can share you ideas.

Learning EQ Facebook Group for Nine Patch Fancy Star

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.

Strips and Strata Goose Chase

8/16/2025

Strips and Strata Goose Chase Tutorial

The quilt I am sharing with you today is a variation of a design created by Mary Groesbeck, owner of Womancave Design.

In a recent Tech Know Quilter's Masters class we focused on creating quilting designs that could be pieced by sewing fabric strips into strata.

Strata refers to a technique where multiple strips of fabrics are sewn together to create a larger piece of fabric. This "strata" can then be cut into various shapes, like squares or triangles to be used in quilt blocks. It's essentially strip piecing, but with the added step of cross-cutting the sewn strips to create unique designs.

The design I am sharing today, could be completed with strata sewn from only four fabrics.

Strata Blocks

For this quilt there are five blocks -- all created in Easy Draw. To identify the strata units, look for the strips in blacks and greys. Note that the strips for the strata are the same for each block

3 Strata Sections for Main Block in Quilt

Here are the EasyDraw blocks drafted in the video.

Strata Geese 14" x 8"

Rail Fence Strata 4" x 4"

Strata Corner 4" x 4"

Diagonal Corners Strata 8" x 8"

Border Center 8" x 8"

Stratified Quilt

On the Quilt Worktable, select New Quilt>Horizontal.

On the Layout table set the number of blocks at 4 Horizontal and 6 Vertical.

Set the size of blocks at 14 (Width) and 8 (Height).

Layout Tab

On the Borders tab, set up 3 borders.
Border #1 - Tile Square with 14 Horizontal blocks in border. Note that all blocks for this border will have a finished size of 4" x 4".
Border #2 - Corner Square with a size of 8".
Border #3 - Mitered with a size of .5".

Quilt Layout with 3 Borders

Use Control (PC users) or Command (MAC Users) to set the Strata Geese 14 x 8 block in the quilt.

Use Flip and click on each block in the second and fourth columns to create mirror images.

Quilt Center

Place the Strata Corner and Rail Fence 4 x 4 blocks in the Tile Square Border.

Rotate the blocks as necessary.

Hint: To rotate all the blocks on one side at once use Alt (PC users) or Options (Mac users) while clicking on a block on the side.

Place the diagonal corner 8 x 8 block in Border #2 (Corner Squares).

Layer 1 Border Blocks Added

For the remaining blocks in Border #2, go to Layer 2.
Drag the Strata Geese block on Layer 2.
Select the block with the Adjust tool.
Under the Quilt Grid Set-up: Turn on Snap Block Position to Grid. Set the Grid Snap Increments at 2".
Copy and Paste the block.
As you place the blocks note that some will need to be flipped. Others will need to be flipped and rotated.
Also drag and place the Border Center block.

Since the quilt center is not square, the side borders needed to be slightly different than the top and bottom border.

Quilt Grid Set-Up Settings

Blocks on Layer 2

Here is the final quilt from the video.

Strips and Strata Goose Chase Quilt

Mary Groesbeck's Quilts

Here are three different colorations of Mary's design. For my quilt, I used her main block along with the rail fence block. I slightly altered the outside border blocks.

As you can see, I used her coloration #2. The black and grey fabrics are from Achromatic Dance by Riley Blake. This was included in Stash 2024 Download 03 from Electric Quilt. The teal is a Moda Grunge.

Mary Groesbeck Coloration 1

Mary Groesbeck Coloration 2

Mary Groesbeck Coloration 3

Piecing the Strips and Strata Goose Chase Quilt

For piecing this block, I would change the blocks to be the strata segments. I drafted these in PolyDraw as it helped my better visualize the strata segments that needed to be cut.

PolyDraw 10 x 10 Strata 1

PolyDraw 10 x 10 Strata 2

PolyDraw 10 x 10 Strata 3

PolyDraw 10 x 10 Strata 4

PolyDraw 8 x 8 Strata 5

PolyDraw 8 x 4 Strata 6

PolyDraw 8 x 4 Strata 7

Strata 12 x 4 Strata 8

PolyDraw 4 x 4 Strata 9

If you are up for a challenge, redraw the quilt, using the PolyDraw blocks in place of the non-square blocks from the tutorial. It is a bit like putting together a puzzle. It will all fit together -- with a bit of work.

Here are some suggestions for cutting the sub-cuts from your strip sets

Pieced Strip Sets

Sub-Cuts using a Triangle Ruler

I would love to see what you decide to do with the design. Share you pictures in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Strips and Strata Goose Chase Post

Tech Know Quilter Showcase

Check out some additional quilts by Tech Know Quilter members. There are a number of Strips and Strata quilts in this showcase.

Julie Pedersen I took the Masters Strips and Strata class. This was a fun set of lessons! I could play all day with these concepts. Here is one of my creations. I did 3 for this challenge.

Julie Pedersen Quilt #2

Julie Pedersen This is a simpler quilt in which I used some of the strata fabric we created for the border and binding.

Edith Craig I used Special Effects 15 and used the strata blocks that we drafted in the month. I then used an auto-border to complete the effect.

Edith Craig And here is version 2 with a different border treatment.

Dotty Smalley In the class for "Strips and Strata" we explored ways to make strata into "fabric" and used Serendipity to merge blocks. I designed this pinwheel block for a Mystery Quilt our club is doing and thought it would look good in this layout from the class. I also used the strata idea for my "fabric". Fun for sure.

Terry McCaskey Inspired by a recent trip to VA Beach, I re colored and designed our lesson 7 Strips & Strata blocks and incorporated our scrappy fabric images to make this quilt called "Beach Umbrellas."

Jeannie Schultz I designed this quilt using fabric I imported from the Riley Blake site and used the block border technique Kari taught, plus how to use layer 2 to place my large center piece. It's going to be a present for my daughter and her new husband, who both enjoyed Pride and Prejudice.

Julie Pedersen This was created using techniques that we worked on in the Masters GeoFusion class.

Zdenka Nemethova In June I enjoyed 2 Masters classes: Geofusion and Strips & Strata. Love them both

Rachel Chandler I completed the foundation class this month I am so happy to have learned so much. I have a quilt in mind to make in the future from a picture I took while traveling and now have the tools to start! I so enjoyed this class. Thanks, Kari for the lessons. I am presently working on a quilt for a friend whose niece is getting married. He asked for something to showcase pictures of the Bride and Groom. Because of these classes, I was able to redraw these foundation pieced blocks from the EQ8 library to compliment the quilt

Rachel Chandler Here is the quilt I designed. The middle white square will hold an embroidered square with the wedding date and the couple's names

Are you interested in learning move about Tech Know Quilters? Send me a note. I would love to provide your more information on the program.

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.

Pieced Gradations

8/9/2025

When I saw the latest free fabric collections from Do You EQ was the August 2025 Collective Collection by Kaffe Facett, I knew I wanted to feature at least one of the fabrics in a quilt.

The quilt I designed for this tutorial would work for any large scale focal fabric. So if you have 2-1/2 yards of a focal fabric in your fabric collection -- this would be a perfect opportunity to put it to use.

Pieced Gradations EQ8 Tutorial

Adding New Fabric to Your Electric Quilt Project

(This part is not included in the video.)

If you would like to use one of the Kaffe Fassett Collective August 2025 fabrics for your project, you can download the collection at DoYouEQ.

Download and install the collection on your computer by following the prompts from EQ.
In your EQ project, select Libraries>Fabric Library.
Navigate to 2025 Fabric of the Month>08 FreeSpirit-Kaffe Fassett>August 2025 Kaffee by Kaffe Fassett.
Click on the fabric swatch (or Select All Fabrics).
Select Add to Sketchbook to place in the current sketchbook and use in the project.

Fabric Library - Kaffe Fassett Collection

Kaffe Fassett fabric used in my quilt.

Quilt Layout

On the Home screen, select Design a Quilt from Scratch.
Select New Quilt>Horizontal.
On the Layout tab:

Set the number of blocks at 5 Horizontal and 6 Vertical.
Set the size at 9 x 9.
Set the finished size of sashing at 6 x 6.

On the Border tab add the following borders:

Border #1 3" Long Horizontal
Border #2 6" Corner Blocks
Border #3 .5" Mitered

Layout Tab on the Quilt Worktable

Pieced Sashing Blocks

Select the Block Worktable.

Block #1

Select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw
Set the block width and height at 6 x 9
Use the Grid tool and drag a grid with columns set at 1 and rows set at 6
Color using Greyscale fabrics (these are at the end of colors).

Block #2

Select New Block>Pieced>EasyDraw
Set the block width and height at 6 x 6
Use the Grid tool and drag a grid with columns set at 1 and rows set at 4
Color using continuing to use lighter greyscale colors from from Block #1

Block #1 - Greyscale Gradation 6 x 9

Block #2 - Greyscale Gradation 6 x 6

Creating the Quilt Center

Select the Quilt Worktable.

Select Fabric tools.

With Control or Command, use the Paintbrush to color the 9 x 9 blocks with the focal fabric.
Select Fussy Cut and drag to reposition some of the fabric (so each of the pieces look a bit different)

Under Block Tools>Set Block, locate the Gradation blocks.

Set two 6 x 9 blocks in vertical sashing and the 6 x 6 block in the cornerstone between them.
Rotate so the strips go from Dark to Light to Dark.

Select Fabric tools and recolor the strips using a series of colors inspired by the focal fabric. (I used teal.)

Under Block Tools>Set Block, locate the Gradation blocks.

Set two 6 x 9 blocks in horizontal sashing and the 6 x 6 block in the cornerstone between them.
Rotate so the strips go from Dark to Light to Dark.

Select Fabric tools and recolor the strips using a series of colors inspired by the focal fabric. (I used teals and purples.)

Add to Sketchbook. This will save the colored blocks.

Set Greyscale Gradation Blocks in the Quilt -- one set horizontal and one set vertical. Rotate to move from Dark to Light to Dark.

Recolor gradations using two different colors inspired from the focal fabric

6 x 9 Teal Gradation

6 x 9 Purple Gradation

6 x 6 Light Teal Gradation

6 x 6 Light Purple Gradation

Under Block Tools>Set Block, locate the gradation blocks (now colored).

Right click on a colored block and select Split Coloring. This will allow you to see all color blocks without using the Block selector.
Place the teal blocks in Vertical sashing columns. Rotate the blocks to go from dark to light to dark.
Place the purple blocks in Horizontal sashing rows. Rotate the blocks to go from dark to light to dark.
The teal cornerstones are placed between the light sides of the 6 x 9 teal blocks and the dark sides of the 6 x 9 purple blocks.
The purple cornerstones are placed between the light sides of the 6 x 9 purple blocks and the dark sides of the 6 x 9 teal blocks.

Color the first and third borders.

Add Colored Gradation blocks to the quilt and rotate. Make sure to check both coloring and rotating to achieve the "weave" effect.

Close up of quilt center with colored and rotated sashing

Creating the Pieced Border

Because the gradation blocks are not all the same size, we will use a custom quilt technique to add the pieced border blocks to the quilt.

Color the corners with the focal fabric (on Layer 1).
Select Layer 2.
Under Block Tools>Set Block, drag both the teal and purple coloring of the gradation blocks on the quilt worktable.
Select a block with the Adjust tool.
Under Quilt Grid Set-up, turn on Snap Block Position to Grid. Set the Grid Snap Increments every 3 inches.
To rotate the 6 x 9 blocks, after selecting the block - with the Adjust tool, type in 90 next to block rotation. This will change the block from 6 x 9 to 9 x 6. You can use the Rotate button to rotate within the 6 x 9 or 9 x 6 block.
Once you have a block with the correct coloration and rotation on the quilt, you can copy and paste and position the duplicated blocks on the worktable.
Position the blocks in all four borders. Note that when you move a block with the Adjust tool, it will snap to the nearest 3" X and Y axis.
For the Top and Bottom borders, you will need seven 9 x 6 blocks and two 6 x 6 blocks.
For the Left and Right borders, you will need eight 9 x 6 blocks and three 6 x 6 blocks.
Position and rotate the blocks to go from Dark to Light and back to Dark in each color family. Sometimes you will use the 6 x 6 blocks. Other times you will not.
Add to Sketchbook to save.

Position the Gradation Blocks on Layer 2

Using Adjust tool for set up Snap Block Position to Grid, setting the Grid Snap Increments, Copy, Paste, and positioning blocks on the borders.

Top Border

Bottom Border

Left Border

Right Border

Here is the final quilt from the video.

Kari's Pieced Gradations Quilt

Replacing Gradated Colors with Fabrics

Note that this is not in the video.

Just for fun, use Randomize (under the fabric tools).

Select Map to fabrics and click on a fabric in the quilt to replace all the colors in the quilt with fabrics. It will only replace with fabrics in the sketchbook -- so you will need to add more fabrics for this to work.

Then use the Paint Brush with Control or Command to change individual patches in the blocks.

Here is my recolored quilt. Which do you prefer?

I would love to see what you do with the Pieced Gradation Quilt. Do you have a focal fabric that has been sitting in your collection that you could feature in the quilt?

Share your design in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I've set up a dedicated post for your photos.

Pieced Gradations Learning EQ Facebook Post

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.

New Wild Goose Chase Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

8/2/2025

I recently gave my Tech Know Quilter Masters members a challenge -- to design an original Wild Goose Chase quilt. They got to interpret "Wild Goose Chase" however they desired.

I also like to participate in the challenges -- and will be sharing a tutorial on my Wild Goose Challenge quilt. I decided to make my Wild Goose Chase quilt very piecing friendly. This would be a great lap quilt -- or even a baby quilt.

Scroll down for TKQ Masters members challenge quilt submissions. I think you will agree they did an amazing job.

Wild Goose Chase EQ8 Tutorial

My goals in designing my "goose" quilt.

Use traditional flying geese units (where the width of each unit is double the height).
Create a new arrangement for the flying geese.
Use a limited color palette (under 6 fabrics).
Create a quilt that would be easy to piece -- with rotary cutting friendly blocks. I also wanted the flying geese to be able to pieced using Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper ruler (my latest favorite method for producing flying geese).

Flying Geese Block

The flying geese block is 6 x 9.
Draft the block in EasyDraw with snap settings of 6 x 9. Snapping options just Snap to Grid.
Each flying geese unit will be 6 x 3.

6" x 9" Flying Geese Block Drawn in EasyDraw

Flying Geese Quilt

Set up a New Quilt>Custom Set. A custom set layout allows you to place your blocks without any constraints. You can use blocks with a variety of sizes, and rotations.
The default size of center is 48 x 48.
Use this for the initial drafting of the quilt.

Custom Set Quilt Layout Tab

Create a flight pattern for the flying geese.

Select a block and select the Adjust tool.

In the Quilt Grid Set-Up, have on Show Grid, Snap Block Position to Grid and Snap Block Size to Grid. Set the Grid Snap Increments at 3".

I chose to create a plan where the geese fly in toward the center. I also left 3" wide spacing between the spiraling in flying geese units.

Flying Geese Layout Option

Under Block Tools>Set Block, add a plain block.
Drag the plain block on the quilt.
Resize the plain block to fill the spaces between the flight path.
After resizing each spacer make sure to double click on each block. This will reposition the block to the closest 3" X and Y axis. There should then be no gaps (i.e. white spaces) between the blocks.
Place a 6" x 9" plain block in the center.

Adding Plain Blocks to the Custom Set Quilt

Use the measurement tool to figure out the size of the quilt center. For this design the designed quilt center measure a total of 42" width and 45" length.
Select the Layout tab.
Make sure Maintain the Existing block sizes when resizing the layout is turned on.
Set the size at 42 x 45.

Adjusting the Layout Tab to Match the Size of the Designed Quilt

On the Borders tab, created two borders.

Border #1 - 4.5" Long Horizontal.
Border #2 - .5" Mitered.

Adding Borders

Wild Goose Chase with Plain Block Spacers. Final size of 52" x 55".

Pieced Spacer Option

I then began thinking through an option to replace the spacers in my first quilt with a pieced option

Create two additional block in EasyDraw.

3" x 6" Pieced Spacer
3" x 3" Corners

3" x 6" Pieced Spacer Block Drafted in EasyDraw

3" x 3" Corner Block Drafted in EasyDraw

With the Adjust tool, adjust the size of the spacers to leave space for the corners. Then add 3" spacers to the corners.

Replace the spacers with the pieced spacer block. (To replace select the pieced block under Block Tools>Set Block and click on the initial spacer on the worktable.)

Rotate the horizontal blocks.

Replace the corners with the designed 3 x 3 corner square. Rotate the corner blocks to create a transition between the pieced spacer blocks.

Adjusting the Spacers to Add Corners

Wild Goose Chase with Pieced Spacers

Check out the full video tutorial.

Wild Goose Chase Option 3 - Additional Layout

Note: This quilt is not included in the video tutorial.

Using the same method as presented in the video, I created a second layout for the flying geese and spacer blocks.

This quilt measures 39" x 48" for the center. And 49" x 58" with borders.

Instructions for this are not included in the video.

But if you are up for a challenge, give this version a try.

Or create a new layout of your own using Custom Set.

Alternate Layout for Wild Goose Chase Blocks

Alternate Quilt 49" x 58"

Let me know what you decide to do with the 6 x 9 Flying Geese block. Feel free to post your designs in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ8 Facebook Group Post for Wild Goose Chase Quilts

Wild Goose Chase Challenge Quilts

Tech Know Quilter Masters members were recently challenged to create a Wild Goose Chase quilt.

One of the idioms in the US is “wild goose chase”. It refers to doing something that is pointless (or meaningless).

I suggested Tech Know Quilter Masters members focus on one of the following as they design their quilt:

Create a quilt focused on a flying geese type of block.
Go with a design without “points” (keying in on pointless in the definition)
Focus on the “meaningless” topic.

Here are their submissions.

Curryanne Hostetler Geese Gone Wild

Dianna Carter

Fran Heisey Here's my Wild Goose Chase. This was a very difficult challenge. I didn't have a clue what to do until I saw a goose nesting in a parking lot.

Fran Heisey Inspiration Photo

Fran Heisey Strips and Strata is a great class. It reminded me of Marsha McCloskey's method of making HSTs from bias strips, I made a number of her feathered star blocks using bias strata (the 1st blocks I ever sewed on a machine; sadly they are still UFOs). The layout for this quilt was inspired by Joyce Himes question on Electric Quilt Users. In trying to solve her problem, I realized how rusty I am on resizing and positioning blocks in Custom Layouts. The theme and geese were designed for last month's master challenge, but I wanted to try them with a more complex background.

Julie Pedersen Here is my Wild Goose Chase. I used the line tool that creates flying geese plus some of my own creations. It is definitely mayhem and a wild goose chase.

Renae Frank Butler

Edith Craig I used 2 wild goose chase blocks, then used shrink and flip with each of them and selected the versions that I liked best. I used the auto borders for the wild goose blocks, reducing the size of the blocks until they were visually compatible with the patches in the main blocks. I then revised the colors until I had something that I liked.

Terry McCaskey After getting Kari's help in drafting a "Dizzy Goose" block some months ago it seemed right to use a variation for this challenge: "The Dizzy Geese Are Out"

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Happy quilting.

Kari

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Tippy Trees

Tippy Trees EQ8 Tutorial

Tippy Trees Block

Tippy Tree Quilt

Nine Patch Fancy Star

Nine Patch Fancy Star EQ8 Tutorial

Nine Patch Star Quilt

Layout Tab

Borders Tab

Design Tab

Sashing Block

Border Block

Finishing the Quilt

Strips and Strata Goose Chase

Strips and Strata Goose Chase Tutorial

Strata Blocks

Stratified Quilt

Mary Groesbeck's Quilts

Piecing the Strips and Strata Goose Chase Quilt

Tech Know Quilter Showcase

Pieced Gradations

Pieced Gradations EQ8 Tutorial

Adding New Fabric to Your Electric Quilt Project

Quilt Layout

Pieced Sashing Blocks

Creating the Quilt Center

Creating the Pieced Border

Replacing Gradated Colors with Fabrics

New Wild Goose Chase Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

Wild Goose Chase EQ8 Tutorial

Flying Geese Quilt

Pieced Spacer Option

Wild Goose Chase Option 3 - Additional Layout

Wild Goose Chase Challenge Quilts

Kari Schell

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Tippy Trees

Tippy Trees EQ8 Tutorial

Tippy Trees Block

Tippy Tree Quilt

Nine Patch Fancy Star

Nine Patch Fancy Star EQ8 Tutorial

Nine Patch Star Quilt

Layout Tab

Borders Tab

Design Tab

Sashing Block

Border Block

Finishing the Quilt

Strips and Strata Goose Chase

Strips and Strata Goose Chase Tutorial

Strata Blocks

Stratified Quilt

Mary Groesbeck's Quilts

Piecing the Strips and Strata Goose Chase Quilt

Tech Know Quilter Showcase

Pieced Gradations

Pieced Gradations EQ8 Tutorial

Adding New Fabric to Your Electric Quilt Project

Quilt Layout

Pieced Sashing Blocks

Creating the Quilt Center

Creating the Pieced Border

Replacing Gradated Colors with Fabrics

New Wild Goose Chase Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

Wild Goose Chase EQ8 Tutorial

Flying Geese Quilt

Pieced Spacer Option

Wild Goose Chase Option 3 - Additional Layout

Wild Goose Chase Challenge Quilts

Kari Schell

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