I am working on a quilt for an upcoming class at the MN Quilt Show and purchased a number of Moda Grunge fabrics for my quilt. 

I thought it would be super easy to color my quilt in EQ -- since Grunge is one of the Manufacturing Basics collections.  However, I found that only a fraction of the Grunge fabrics are included in the EQ Collection under Manufacturing Basics. 

​I decided I really needed all of the Grunge fabrics at my design disposal.  Do you ever get obsessed with things like this?

While pulling in the collection I encountered a problem with some of the downloaded swatches which required some additional editing in EQ.

My free tutorial for this week will take you through the entire process of gathering, importing and editing the fabrics to create a complete grunge library in EQ8.

Here is the link for the Moda fabric downloads.  Just enter Grunge in the keyword search box.

After completing the video, I went back and added the additional Grunge styles and imported the additional grunge fabric collections from the Moda website.  So now I have a complete collection of grunge fabric images -- at least until Moda adds more Grunge fabrics.

Here is one of my blocks from my upcoming class.  Can you spot the Grunge fabrics in this block?

See what some of the more advanced Tech Know Quilter members accomplished in September.

Those in Tech Know Quilter's Masters are encouraged to work on their own projects and designs.  Each month they are provided a challenge to allow them to explore their design skills.  In September they were challenged to design a row quilt.

In Masters, members are encouraged to set goals for themselves.  They are not necessarily EQ specific.  Here are some pictures on the progress they made (or are making) toward their goals.   

Tech Know Quilter's opens for enrollment only a few times a year.  Sign up for the wait list to be informed the next time it opens.  

Do you decorate with quilts for fall?  I love working with fall fabrics and using quilts is my decoration of choice.  I just created a new fall quilt that could easily be stitched up before the snow starts to fall.  (Or since an early snow is in the forecast, maybe before the snow stays on the ground until spring).

Last week I shared how to take a number of applique motifs from the EQ8 library and combine them to make a wreath.  If you missed the tutorial you can catch it here.   

​In addition to sharing how to create the wreath, I also discussed how to convert the file to an svg format -- which is usable with Silhouette Cameo, Brother Scan n Cut and Cricut Maker cutting systems.  So it would be super easy to make this 20 inch wreath.

This week I will share with you how to create a simple setting and some easy to piece blocks for a fun new fall quilt.

The maple leaf block is 3" finished and easy to rotary cut and the large 20" finished block would be conducive to foundation piecing -- or adding 5-1/2" and 3-1/2" squares for folded corners.

Additional Cutting Information for Borders

• Border 1 is cut from 2 inch strips of Dark Gold..
• Border 2 is cut from 1-1/2 inch strips of Background.
• Border 3 is pieced with Maple Leaf block and spacers.  Spacers are cut  4-1/2" x 3-1/2".
• Border 4 is cut from 1-1/2 inch strips of Background.
• Border 5 is cut from 2 inch strips of Dark Gold.
• Border 6 is cut from 4-1/2 inch strips of Leaf Print.

Quilt will finish 44" x 44" (without binding).

Are you just getting started with Electric Quilt 8 and need some help? 

Shoot for the Stars is designed to get you started with Electric Quilt 8 through training delivered straight to your inbox.  This series includes 14 short (i.e.. 5-10 minute) videos delivered over the course of a month allowing you to learn the basics of this complex program in bite size increments.

​The class is currently on sale for $35 (regular $50).  Join now.

Learn how to create your own fall wreath using Electric Quilt 8. 

Learn how to combine motifs from multiple blocks into one block along with rotating and resizing the elements to draft the wreath.

Once the wreath was drafted, I knew I didn't want to cut out all those applique shapes by hand.  So I decided to use my electronic cutting system (a Silhouette Cameo) to cut out the leaves.  

There were two challenges to overcome with my drawing.  First, the block is 20 inches x 20 inches -- super big which means lots of tiled pages when I go to do a print out.  And the applique patches are overlapping -- and I want to be able to layer the shapes.  So I didn't want to use the trace feature for this block.

After a bit of experimenting, I found the solution was to print the block to a pdf writer that would allow me to set the paper size to 24 x 24.  No -- I don't have that big of a printer.  

But this allows me to work with all the elements in a single file in Inkscape.  Inscape is a vector graphics program that is free.  There are versions for both MAC and PC.  And it allows me to convert a pdf document into a svg file.   You can read more about Inkscape and download a version here. 

SVG files can be used by all the major cutting systems including Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Mater, and Brother Scan n Cut.  This means if I have any of those systems, I will be able to cut out my Electric Quilt applique fabric patches!  No scissors required.

You are welcome to download my svg file if you wish to test the file with your cutting system of choice.  

To download the file, right click on the photo and  save the zip file which contains the svg document on your computer.  Do not attempt to open the file in your browser.  It will not work.  Once the file is on your computer, use your computer software to unzip the file.  Each operating system has a slightly different approach for this.  If you have questions google "unzip with your operating system".  

Then bring the file into the software for your cutting system.  You will want to weld images before applying the cut feature.  Every system works a bit differently.  Some of the nuances are shared in the Tech Know Quilter class -- Specialty Rulers and Dies.

You can learn more about Tech Know Quilters here and sign up for the wait list for the next open enrollment period.

Next week I plan to share with you a quilt that you can make that features the 20 inch Fall is in the Air wreath.

Are you just getting started with Electric Quilt 8 and need some help? 

Shoot for the Stars is designed to get you started with Electric Quilt 8 through training delivered straight to your inbox.  This series includes 14 short (i.e.. 5-10 minute) videos delivered over the course of a month allowing you to learn the basics of this complex program in bite size increments.

​The class is currently on sale for $35 (regular $50).  Join now.