Calendar Quilts Using EQ8

We have turned the calendar to 2023.  And if you are like me, you are thinking a bit about what you wish to accomplish during the year ahead.  A few years ago I created a class on creating calendar quilts for those in Tech Know Quilter.  This seems like a very appropriate topic for January.

During the Tech Know Quilter class we went through the process of creating a monthly calendar using Electric Quilt.  We attached the calendar to a monthly themed quilt and turned the entire design into a backdrop that could be used with a computer.  Imagine being able to showcase one of your quilt designs without needing to piece it.

In this free tutorial, I will share how to modify the 2020 calendar to 2023.  Then how I updated my  original quilt with the latest calendar.

For those that took the Tech Know Quilter's calendar quilt class, you will be able to modify your designs from the class.  For others, you will be inspired by seeing how you combine two quilts in a single project.  

There are lots of great take-aways for creating your own calendar quilt.

Here are the updated January 2023 calendar quilts from the video.

As a New Years special, I decided to open up an opportunity to take the Calendar Class -- without joining Tech Know Quilters.  Scroll down for more information on this exciting new opportunity.

Changing the Desktop Background in Windows 11

Each operating system has its own way of changing the Desktop background.  I recently switched to Windows 11 and thought I would share screenshots of the process for that particular operating system.  If you are using a different computer/operating system, you may want to do a search to see how it is done on your system.

• In the Search Window, type in Background.
• Under Best Match, select Background Image Settings.  You can double click to open or select open on the right.

Under Settings>Personalization>Background, select Browse Photos.

• Navigate to where your saved your image exported from Electric Quilt 8.  Note that my image was saved under My EQ8>Images.
• Select the Photo.
• Select Choose Picture.

• If the picture is slightly off (i.e. some white space on the left and right), under Choose a fit for your desktop image, select Stretch.
• Alternatively you can add a background color to fill the space.

Here is what my desktop screen looks like after using the exported photo from the video.

Kari's Desktop Backdrop after completing the above steps.

I also experimented with a backdrop that was just the calendar.  For this one, I used "Fit" and added a background color.

If you took the Tech Know Quilter's calendar class, now would be a great time to update your quilts for 2023. 

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Special Opportunity to Take the Full Calendar Quilt Class

Would you like to take this class?  I've decided to offer it as a stand alone class available for purchase during January 2023.  The class does assume you are familiar with using both EasyDraw and Applique tools in Electric Quilt.  I would not consider it a "beginner" class.

Here were my 2020 combination quilts (quilted design plus calendar) created during the Calendar Quilts class.   Click on the images for an up close view. 

What images do you think of when you turn the pages of your calendar? In this class you will be using the various block worktables in Electric Quilt 8 as you draft a 20 x 15 block for each month of the year. 

You will also learn how to draft your own monthly calendar in EQ and then combine the quilt blocks with the calendar to create background images that you can use for your desktop computer. 

The images for each month are also suitable for creating your own 8-1/2 x 11 photo calendar.

​This series is geared toward the intermediate user of Electric Quilt 8 and assumes you have a working knowledge of EasyDraw and Applique worktables and well as creation of some basic quilts.

The stand alone EQ8 Calendar Quilt class is only available for purchase during January 2023. 

It will be delivered over five weeks, starting with your date of purchase. 

For those desiring support as you go through the class, I've set up a private Facebook group which provides a vehicle for me to answer any of your questions as you go through the class.

The class retails at $60.  But it will be offered at the sale price of $49.99 during January 2023.

Purchase the Calendar Quilt Class for $49.99 (regularly $60)

Current Tech Know Quilter members, please contact me if your wish to take this as an add-on class in January.  The class currently exists in TKQ and there are added discounts for current TKQ members.

Tech Know Quilters Showcase

Tech Know Quilter members shared some of their favorite projects (along with their own designs) from their November class.  You can learn more and sign up for the wait list to join this amazing group of designers here.

Jane Perri This quilt contains all of the blocks designed in the Easy Draw course.

Nanne Panne I have learned how to appliqué and here is my quilt

Helen Bagnall I am attaching my Modern Bargello block, Lesson 12.

Mary Groesbeck I think this is my favorite part of the program--applying what we've learned. But it's also a little difficult to choose one since we learn so much in a month. I think my favorite from the hexagon class is this one.

Zdenka Nemethová I took Quilting Designs Class in November. This gave me a lot of ideas of how to finish me quilts nicely.

Lee Wiencki An optical illusion quilt using some EQ8 blocks.

Fran Heisey Hexagon Magic was a really challenging and rewarding group of lessons.

Julie Pedersen Here is mine for the Hexagon Magic Class.

Edith Craig My class this month was Master's Hexagon Magic. This was based on Lesson 7 of that series which used many of the blocks that we drafted throughout the month. After doing the initial coloring, I used the randomize button until I saw a color combination that I liked and then mapped that color selection to fabrics. This was an easy way to re-color the entire project and the system came up with color combinations that I wouldn't have thought of. I am quite pleased with the result. It is really exciting to be able to combine the many techniques that I have learned through TKQ.

Family Tree Challenge Showcase

Within Tech Know Quilters Masters, there is an opportunity for those who have completed twelve or more months of Tech Know Quilters to join this more advanced program where we focus on support for those applying their EQ8 skills to their own projects. 

​Each month, TKQ Masters members are encouraged to create an original design around a specific topic.

​During November, Tech Know Quilter Masters members were encouraged to design a family tree quilt.  There was a lot of discussion on the topic and a few even managed to complete their EQ designs.

Zdenka Nemethová I did it simple (inspired by pinterest) otherwise I would need the whole forest not just one tree □ Just my parents, me and my 2 sisters (we are 3 sisters □ ) and our families. One X-mas present is on the way □

Edith Craig Here is my family tree quilt, showing myself, my husband, our children and their spouses, and the grandchildren. I started with a picture from ClipArt and redrafted it into an applique block. I then used motifs of apples for the names, adding the actual names on top with the text tool. Each generation is in a different color (shades of reds and oranges). I added a vine border, placing a larger version of the same apple motif in the corners. Finally, I added an overall stencil in dark green to show the quilting.

Brigitte Lee Here is my Family "tree". It all started with a heart exchange. 40 people cut 40 hearts (template) of the same fabric. So I ended up with 40 different hearts. Today I re-designed my quilt (right) in EQ which I made and designed in Quilt-Pro in 2003. I'm representing the bloodline with the same fabric. Light colors female, dark male. Top raw my mother, my father left and my step-father right, with his ex. Below my siblings. My brother, passed away as a teenager, my two sisters, (twins) with their families,. Left the older twin, right the younger with her ex and her husband. Next raw, myself and my hubby, my older boy, adopted, and our second one. Bottom right all my mother's grandchildren. I modified the quilt draft and am showing on the hearts their mother and added the new arrivals. This was quite a bit of a challenge as I started with only 40 hearts and had to source which of the fabrics I could get more of from my friends. Pieced, hearts are machine blanket stitched in black.

Patricia Hansen I decided that it would be like early Christmas to design my family tree like a Christmas tree. So, here it is. It only shows the direct line, not all the cousins "which I number in the dozens, nor the aunts."

Julie Pedersen A simple tree for us using embroidery.

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Happy quilting.

​Kari

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