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Electric Quilt 8 has a lot of blocks in the EQ library -- over 6,700. For this tutorial, I thought I would share a new idea that would be super simple to design.
All the blocks come from the EQ library. However the applique blocks will be converted to motif blocks -- with just a few strokes on the keyboard. It could easily be adapted to any time of the year -- or holiday. Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought I would create a couple of Halloween variations.
Crazy Simple Halloween EQ8 Tutorial
Fabric Collection
Block Collection
Since we will need Applique patches that float over the background blocks, the background for the applique blocks needs to be removed.
No worries -- I cover how to do removed the background for an applique block in the video. I decided I only want the pumpkin face from the applique block -- which means additional applique patches will need to be eliminated as well. Tip: If an applique block looks too complex -- consider simplification. Using simplified blocks will definitely increase the probability of actually making your quilt. :) Here are the adjusted Motifs with the Background removed.
Quilt
Just for fun, I did a third version. This one is not part of the video. But the blocks are in the same collection in the EQ library and the same process was used to remove the background and add them to the quilt.
Crazy Simple Spider and Spiderweb
Check out the video for more details on creating your on Crazy Simple quilt.
I look forward to seeing what you choose to do with the Crazy Simple concept. Did you decide to go with Halloween -- or pick a different holiday? I would love to see pictures. Please feel free to post in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
 Close Up of Woven Hearts Quilt
Last week when I was sorting through some of my unfinished quilt projects, I ran across this woven heart quilt.
The quilt top was completed pre-EQ. Probably in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Yes that is a super long time ago. And I was very much a beginner to quilting. I started hand quilting it -- as I was trying to learn everything I could about quilting. After a few broken needles, I decided hand quilting wasn't for me. The seams in those borders were brutal trying to quilt through. I made the decision to let the unfinished quilt go to a new owner and posted it on the local Buy Nothing Facebook group. A quilter posted that she would be interested in the quilt and would finish it up and donate it to Project Linus. I happily passed the quilt on to her. But before passing the quilt on, I decided to draft it in Electric Quilt 8. Vintage Woven Hearts Quilt
So what is a vintage quilt?
An internet search revealed that there is a lot of debate over the definition of a vintage quilt; but vintage fabric is generally accepted as fabric which is over 30 years old. Antique fabric is defined as earlier than the 1930’s. While I am not exactly sure if the quilt is vintage, the fabric used in it would probably qualify. Pattern Source
The quilt is a variation of a pattern found in the book Even More by Trudie Hughes. After discovering quilting, I fell in love with Trudie Hughes style and owned all of her books.
Trudie Hughes created traditional quilts with a twist. All of her quilts were rotary cutting friendly. She developed a ruler called the Rotary Mate. Which of course I purchased. It was used to cut "speedy triangles". Think of it as an early version of Deb Tucker's Corner Pop Rulers. Vintage Woven Hearts Blocks
Draft the woven heart block in EasyDraw (without the frame).
Draft a second block for the 1" sashing/frame. Use the Serendipity>Merge Block feature to combine the two blocks. Then you still have the stand-alone heart block -- just in case you need it for a different design.
Here are the blocks for the Half Drop Diamond Border
Quilt Layout
Add blocks to the half diamond border.
You can use the Alt (PC) or Options (MAC) key to set the blocks in each border. But within each border you will need to use a combination of flip and rotate for each of the blocks. I suggested breaking each border into six groups. The functions for each of those groups will be the same. So once you have one block correctly positioned you can quickly replicate for the remaining blocks in that section. Here is an example of the adjustments I made for the top border. 
Sectioned Top Border and Placement of the Border Blocks
Section 1: Rotate 2 times. Brown Patches Face Toward Center.
Section 2: Flip. Rotate 1 time. Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 3: Rotate 2 times. Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 4: No change. Brown Patches Face Toward Center. Section 5: No change. Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 6: Flip. Rotate 3 times. . Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Erase the setting triangle blocks in the center and color them with the background. 
Section 1: Rotate 1 time. Brown Patches Face Toward Center.
Section 2: Flip Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 3: Rotate 1 time. Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 4: Rotate 3 times. Brown Patches Face Toward Center. Section 5: Rotate 3 times. Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Section 6: Flip. Rotate 2 times. . Long part of teal against brown and background patches. Erase the setting triangle blocks in the center and color them with the background. Sizing the Diamond Border
Since my quilt was a variation of one of Trudie Hughes patterns, I needed to do some math to figure out the sizing for the on point squares in the border. Although the on point squares are pieced with a finished size of 2" (unfinished size of 2-1/2"), the size needed to calculate the border is the diagonal (i.e. the distance from corner to corner.
If you go to Print and Export and select one of the one point squares in each of the borders, you will find they are not square (i.e. the width and height are not the same number). To make the border piecing friendly we need to make them square.
Fortunately this can be done by adding another border or adjusting the size of the previous border.
AFter adjusting the border, double check the block sizes (under Print and Export) to ensure the blocks are now square.
You can also print out a rotary cutting chart to double check the measurements.
Watch the video to see how to create the blocks and quilt.
For me, the most interesting part of the quilt was the border. I definitely will use that again.
What will you do with the quilt design. Feel free to share pictures in the Learning EQ8 Facebook group.
Here is a close up of my 30 year old quilt -- and the EQ version.
Leaves in my part of the country are just starting to turn. It seems to be a bit later than normal. Since there are no leaves to rake this weekend, I thought I would design a new quilt with an abundance of fall color.
Using Electric Quilt 8 -- of course! Autumn Cabin in the Woods EQ8 Tutorial
Thought Process When Starting my Block
This quilt block was designed to be foundation piecing friendly. When designing the quilt, I set a rule for myself -- all lines that I drew had to snap to a horizontal and vertical snap points. I arbitrarily set the block size at 20" x 20" and I set the snaps horizontal and vertical at 40 x 40. As I work through each section, I am thinking -- is there a better way to draft the block to reduce the number of sections. If I discover one, I will go back and modify my design.
Drafting the Cabin
Drafting the Background (Riotous Fall Colors)
I then decided to add some long tree trunks along with a few branches on the left and right sides of the cabin. I needed something to produce all that fall color.
Cabin with Added Chimney and Trees
Then I was ready for the real fun. Adding horizontal vertical and diagonal lines to fill in the color.
Filling in the Autumn Color
For the space under the cabin, I decided to create three rows. I set a goal that each row needed to be just one foundation.
I also decided that there needed to be a path starting at the bottom of the door and extending to the bottom of the block. 
Kari's Final Autumn Cabin in the Woods block.
If you would prefer to trace my block, feel free to download my finished block to your computer. Upload it into EQ and trace the design.
Final Cabin in the Woods Block - Download for Tracing
Drafting the Quilt
The quilt itself is super basic. Style: Horizontal Three Borders
Color the quilt with some slightly muted fall fabric colors -- tans, browns with a splash of orange. 
Riotous Cabin in the Woods Quilt by Kari Schell
Watch the video to see my complete drafting process.
Feel free to draft the cabin in the woods -- either using my design or consider modifying to personalize the design.
I would love to see pictures. Feel free to post in the Learning EQ8 Facebook group. I've set up a dedicated post.
Creating the Foundation Pattern
Electric Quilt will usually provide us a recommended sectioning and numbering for our foundations for the block.
Unfortunately EQ decided not to play nice with my design. EQ decided my block was not foundation friendly. I disagree with the program -- but fortunately EQ has an option to section and number any foundation pattern yourself. Since I was contemplating the sections while drafting the block -- it was pretty easy to tell EQ how I wanted to break it into sections. If you would like to try this exercise, use my block for tracing (shown above) and a marker. Draw lines around each section. Then see how your sectioning compares to mine below. 
Kari's Sectioning (without EQs Help)
How did you do?
One thing that many of us quilters aspire to is a blue ribbon quilt -- even if we never enter a quilt in the judged category at a show.
In this video, I will share how to create your own blue ribbon quilt. The video includes information on modifying a block from BlockBase Plus to create a ribbon block. And also how to incorporate that block in a quilt. But first, check out the showcase of blue ribbon quilts created using Electric Quilt 8. Blue Ribbon Tech Know Quilters Masters Challenge
Each month, Tech Know Quilter's Masters members have an opportunity to participate in a monthly challenge.
During July, TKQ Master Members were challenged to draft their own "blue ribbon" block that was either 6 x 6 or 12 x 12. In week two of the challenge, they were encouraged to draft a quilt that incorporates the drafted block. According to the rules, they could put just one blue ribbon block in the quilt -- or more. If there were more than one ribbon block, at least one of the ribbon blocks must be colored blue. The block size in the quilt must be either 6 x 6 or 12 x 12. The design challenges in Tech Know Quilters seek to encourage quilters to flex their "creativity" muscle. Submitted Blocks from the Blue Ribbon Challenge
Submitted Quilts from the Blue Ribbon Challenge
Elly da Silva
Curryanne Hostetler - using 3 different ribbons
Curryanne Hostetler - Coloring 2
Julie Pedersen Here is my applique bow quilt that started as a stencil in the block library. I used the ribbon ties to make the other parts of the quilt and a flower in wreath maker.
Linda Lombardo
Terry McCaskey Blue Ribbon Skies
Terry McCaskey - Sue Wins 1st!
Roxanna Khoury
Mary Groesbeck
Dianna Carter - Masters Challenge. When I see bows, I think of babies. It's a Boy. I hope I made good use of my bows.
Katherine Martin I drew a twisted ribbon block and was inspired by Birte Hilberg's designs in her book "The Patchwork Planner" to draw a couple of quilts.
Katherine Martin This twisted ribbon quilt used a layout from the EQ8 Layout Library.
Edith Craig
Zdenka Nemethova
Candy Huddleston I took it literally & that's what is on the quilt. However, I used Serendipity's Clip & Flip AND the Kaleidoscope features to create some of the smaller blocks (still 6") in the Stars 41 layout.
Renae Frank Butler
Want to know more about Tech Know Quilter Masters?
Tech Know Quilters members are eligible for the Masters program after completing 12 months of Tech Know Quilter classes. Masters members receive fewer lessons each month, with more time to devote to their own projects and challenges. Drop me a note if you have completed over 12 months of Tech Know Quilters and are interested in learning more about the Masters program. You can learn more about the regular Tech Know Quilters membership program and sign up for the wait list for the next open enrollment period here. My Blue Ribbon Quilt
I decided to take the challenge along with my Tech Know Quilter Masters members.
And I will share my process in this weeks post.
Here is my Blue Ribbon Quilt - from the video.
Blue Ribbon Quilt Drafted by Kari Schell using EQ8.
I hope that between the show and the tutorial you are inspired to create your own Blue Ribbon quilt. I would love to see you designs. Feel free to post in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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