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.
Here is what my desktop screen looks like after using the exported photo from the video.
I also experimented with a backdrop that was just the calendar. For this one, I used "Fit" and added a background color.
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If you took the Tech Know Quilter's calendar class, now would be a great time to update your quilts for 2023.
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.
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.
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
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. ![]()
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.
It has been a busy week between the Panel Quilt webinars and open enrollment for Tech Know Quilters. Now my time moves to primarily serving those in the Tech Know Quilter group.
I received a couple of notes from people who missed my e-mails regarding the Tech Know Quilter open enrollment during the last four days -- not exactly sure how that is possible but email providers seem to love putting my emails in spam and promotions folders. And I heard that a few of you were traveling and not able to get to your emails. If that is you, send me a note and I will send you a link to sign up. We can still squeeze in a few new members before we start delivery of classes on Monday. This will be the last time to lock in to 2022 pricing. You can read more about the program here -- but the sign-up links have been taken down. Two Block Quilts
Two times a month I do live help sessions with Tech Know Quilter members. During the session on Thursday, one member was asking about working with blocks that don't quite work well together. Maybe one uses a 7 x 7 grid and the other an 8 x 8. While Electric Quilt can turn these all into a standard block size, the numbers on the rotary cutting chart start looking a bit scary.
We talked through how to resolve that issue. Since I still had my panel quilt Electric Quilt 8 project open I demonstrated a process on how to design blocks that work well together. I started with one of the pieced border blocks from the Panel Quilt webinar. Here is some background on drafting the block. Just in case you missed the webinar.
Here was how I chose to draft the block. I was thinking I would do 1-1/2" folded corners on 2-1/2" squares for the the "house" units.
Watch the video to see the process to draft the remaining blocks as quilt.
Add a binding to finish off a quilt that would be easy to piece. This would make a great project Linus quilt -- or with some resizing (adjust the number of blocks horizontal and vertical), a quilt of valor.
But I couldn't stop. I began thinking about taking the modified 9-patch corner segments and create a pieced border that also works well with the pieced blocks in the center.
Do you prefer the quilt with or without the pieced border? Or maybe you have a different idea for a two block quilt. Share your ideas in the Facebook group.
One week to Christmas. The to do list is growing with everything I want completed "before" Christmas. The project in this post is a fun one -- use it as a break when you need a little time to decompress from all of the holiday bustle.
Scroll down to see the free EQ8 tutorial. I also want to check and make sure you have signed up for the free webinar -- right after Christmas. Make sure to reserve your spot for this live webinar. Turn Your Next Panel into a One of a Kind Quilt
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Date and Time
Tuesday, December 27
10 am Central Time
Tuesday, December 27
3 pm Central Time
Tuesday, December 27
8 pm Central Time |
Registration Link
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Local Time
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Candy Cane Circular Quilt
PolyDraw is the ideal tool for the wedges of the block as we can use the Circle Grid. The circle grid allows you to split the circle in an equal number of wedges and an equal number of rings. Patches can be drawn by connecting any of the wedge/ring intersections. The other plus in using PolyDraw is the block does not need to be square or rectangular. So rather than drawing a circle within a Square block -- the circle is the block. |
To color the block, I used the Noel fabric collection by Andover. The collection was designed by Laundry Basket Quilts.
This was part of the Electric Quilt Stash collection (Download 01 for 2022). The collections are $9.95 and can save you the work of downloading, cropping and resizing from the manufacturer websites. |
Tech Know Quilters Showcase
Tech Know Quilter members shared some of their favorite projects (along with their own designs) from their October class. You can learn more and sign up for the wait list to join this amazing group of designers here.
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Register for Free EQ8 Webinar after Christmas
Turn Your Next Panel into a One of a Kind Quilt
But what if you want to do more?
- Maybe you wish to personalize your panel with unique borders.
- Or maybe you wish to cut up your panel and make it a series of blocks in your quilt.
- Or maybe you just want a go to method for working with any panel you currently own (or plan to purchase in the future).
Let me show you how to quickly get past the overwhelm and uncertainty of working with panels.
Join my free Electric Quilt 8 webinar where I will take you step by step through the entire process to create your own panel quilt. In this live webinar, you will learn how to:
- import a panel image into EQ and figure out the sizes of sections of the panel.
- subdivide the panel image to experiment with different options for using the panel in a quilt.
- learn how to personalize your quilt by designing coordinating blocks.
- learn my tricks for working with those awkward sizes that always seem to happen when designing around panels.
- learn how to create borders with multiple blocks that create flow and visual appeal.
What are you waiting for? Join us today.
Plus you will also receive a guidebook that you will be able to use as a reference both during and after the video. This will assist you when you're working on your project.
I can't wait to see your panel quilt design.
Join us now.
Choose the time that works the best below and register for this amazing fun webinar. You won't be disappointed.
For all those that attend live, I will be offering a special bonus offer as well. Make sure to join me. I can't wait to see you there.
A replay will be available for 24 hours if you cannot attend live. But you must register in advance to access the replay.
Date and Time
Tuesday, December 27
10 am Central Time
Tuesday, December 27
3 pm Central Time
Tuesday, December 27
8 pm Central Time |
Registration Link
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Local Time
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APPLIQUE FROM EQ8 TO CRICUT SILHOUETTE OR BROTHER SCAN N CUT
While many of the cutting systems will suggest using their tracing features, I have had mixed success with traces. Often they can muddy aspects of the images and they are really not successful in pictures with layered images. So I knew I wanted a technique that preserved the integrity of the initial drawing in Electric Quilt.
I found that the key to success is an extra piece of software called Inkscape.
The extra piece of software I used for creating the SVGs is Inkscape. Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source.
Inkscape can seem overwhelming to use when you open it for the first time. However you only need to use a couple of tools within Inkscape -- so this really is a piece of cake. You can download Inkscape here.
Inkscape will allow you to create an SVG file which may be used in any electronic cutting system (Cricut Design Space, Silhouette Studio, or Brother Canvas Workspace).
So what is an SVG file? An SVG file is a graphics file that uses a two-dimensional vector graphic format. Unlike raster formats such as JPG, GIF, and PNG, an SVG image remains crisp and clear at any resolution or size. My Translation -- Much cleaner of an image than any trace in a cutting system.
Electric Quilt Tips
- Color your block with colors (not fabric).
- Print to a pdf writer. If you need a pdf writer check out these free options:
- Cute PDF Writer for Windows (www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp)
- RWTS PDFwriter for MAC (https://github.com/rodyager/RWTS-PDFwriter)
- If you have stitch (thread) lines, turn on print block and patch outlines. Otherwise turn them off.
Inkscape Tips
- Ungroup everything.
- Patches will have both outlines and fill. Delete the outlines and keep the fill.
- Thread will only have fill.
- Group everything and note the size.
- Save as an svg file.
Cricut Design Space Tips
- Once importing the svg file, resize the group to match the size noted in Inkscape. (Depending on the latest update, the size may be correct or may not be correct. So always check.)
- Use Deboss if you wish to create an impression (for thread) rather than a cut.
- Select Attach to keep the thread with the related patch.
Card Ideas Using the Cut Ice Skates
I am a huge Stampin Up fan and a part-time distributor (i.e. I want the purchasing discount) -- but I also accumulate supplies from a variety of other sources. I think of card making like making scrap quilts -- use what you have on hand!
Ice Skate Card #1 - Supplies and Measurements
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Ice Skate Card #2 - Supplies and Measurements
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Ice Skate Card #3 - Supplies and Measurements
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The design does take a bit of time to draw. The original video was around 35 minutes --but since nobody has time to watch a long video this month, I shortened it a lot (to around 12 minutes). When new points are presented, I talk through the mechanics -- but then speed up the video to demonstrate the execution.
Ready to Learn the Applique Tools in Electric Quilt 8?
My plans are to open enrollment for Tech Know Quilters at the end of December. (The membership is a more economical way to take the class.)
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For those new to Applique (or would like to learn at a slower and more methodical approach), I offer an Introduction to Applique class. It is offering in Tech Know Quilters - a membership focused on mastery of Electric Quilt 8.
I have also included a few of the beginning Tech Know Quilter classes in my store -- for those that would like to try a class before joining the membership.
Introduction to Applique Agenda
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Using the Ice Skate Design in Christmas Cards
I am planning to make about a dozen cards for friends in my ice skating community. Our Christmas party is next week -- so I best get busy.
I will talk more about how I transferred the design and used it in Cricut Design Space next week.
I look forward to seeing your ice skate. Feel free to share pictures in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Kari Schell
Electric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer.
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