Would you like to be able to see what a particular quilting design looks like before stitching it on your quilt.  I will share with you how to add quilting designs created in programs outside of Electric Quilt in this video tutorial.

I personally use Art and Stitch to create my machine quilting patterns for the longarm -- but this technique would also work with designs created with embroidery software as well.

Here is my Electric Quilt rendition of paper snowflakes.

Here is my finished quilt.  It has been a fun project to work on during the last few cold and snowy weeks.

This week I am introducing a new instructor led online class - Applique Drawing Using Electric Quilt.  Read more.

I am also sharing how to create a new pantograph in Art and Stitch.  For those that prefer, there is also an option to purchase the pattern.

I am anxiously awaiting spring – with all its new growth including budding leaves on my trees.  Since I live in Minnesota (and it still is March), my wait may not be a brief one.
 
So I decided to content myself with a new quilting design.  This one was super fun to do in Art and Stitch.  Art and Stitch is digitizing software for embroidery and longarm quilting.  ​

For this pantograph, just:

• Create a path. 
• Create one very simple leaf. 
• Select the leaf and design on path.
• Repeat pattern to "test" the design
• Split the path.
• Combine the units. 

 
Check out my video tutorial for more information.

Or ... Would you prefer to purchase the leaf path pantograph. This new pattern is on sale for 50% off (only $7.50) on my website.

Purchase now.

​Do you want to see what the design looks like on a quilt?  Here is my latest quilt-out of the design.

Would you like to learn more about Art and Stitch?  I have a full day class on Art and Stitch at the Minnesota Quilt show in Duluth.  You don’t even need to purchase the software to take the class.  You can download a trial version from the Art and Stitch website.  You won’t be able to save any of your work with the trial version – but you will have a chance to see what this program can do for you.

Art and Stitch - Thread Art  Wednesday, June 7

Never be limited to purchased designs again. Art and Stitch will allow you to finally translate your creativity to beautiful designs. Learn how to use this powerful digitizing software by creating a series of string art designs that are suitable for both computerized long arm and embroidery machines.

Level: Beginner

To learn more about any of my classes or the show in general, check out the Minnesota Quilt Show website.

Take your Electric Quilt skills to the next level by learning to draft applique blocks using Electric Quilt.

Investment:  $100

Learn more here. 

I just finished my String Applique quilt.  I reloaded it on my longarm and quilted the circles using a new cog design.  I think it has a modern look -- do you agree?  In my video tutorial this week (which you can find later in this post), I will share how easy this design was to create using Art and Stitch.  

I will also share free pdfs of the designs created in the video tutorial -- which you will definitely want to add to your quilting collection.

I still have a few openings in my brand new Electric Quilt online classes.  What is included in these classes:

• Hands on Instructor Training that will guide you through the blocks and quilts in the class.  This will be exactly like taking an in person class at a shop or show -- but from the comfort of your home.
• Small Class Sizes (limited to 8)
• Detailed Handouts that will assist when recreating the quilts
• Downloadable Video of the session that allows you to replay the class over and over again -- until you get it.  :)

Are you ready to take your quilt design skills to the next level? Select the class that interests you.  (Watch the videos below to see the quilts and designs included in each class and click on the link to register.)

For you over achievers (you know who you are) who wish to sign up for both classes-- there is a $20 discount that may be applied when checking out.  The code is MarchMadness.

Dates:  March 20, 27 and  April 3, 10   7 - 8:30 pm (Central time) (four sessions)

Cost:  $100

​Register here.

Dates:  March 21, 28 and April 4, 11    7 - 8:30 pm (Central time) (four sessions)

Cost:  $100

​Register here.

Have you tried Art and Stitch?  It is a program for digitizing designs for a longarm or an embroidery machine.  I used it to create the cog designs in my string quilt.  

These designs were inspired by a template created by Circle Lord. Circle Lord creates templates/boards for use with longarm systems.  I purchased and used many of these before purchasing my Intelliquilter and Art and Stitch.

See how easy it was to create my own cog-like design using Art and Stitch in this weeks video tutorial.

No computerized system -- no problem.  These designs could also be easily executed with a domestic machine or non-computerized longarm.  If you mark the circles, the cogs would be easy to freehand (and would be very forgiving.)

Here are free pdfs of the three designs included in the video. Permission is granted for personal use by quilters.

• 6 inch cog
• 7 inch cog
• 10-1/2 inch cog

Here is my final quilt.

Cog quilting close-ups:

For those that are new to Art and Stitch (or just wanting to expand your skills), I will be teaching a full day class on Art and Stitch at MN Quilt Show in Duluth.  The class will be on Wednesday, June 7th from 8:30-4:30. 

​You don't even need to purchase the software to take the class.  

There is a trial version that may be downloaded for the class -- so you can see if the program is for you before purchasing.

Read more and register here.

Happy quilting.

​Kari

​Sign up for my newsletter to stay current on what's happening in my studio and learn more quilting tips.  As a thank you, I'll send you a FREE pattern for this small maple leaf quilt.

I just received my copy of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting. I am super excited to report that one of my quilts Snow Day is featured in their January-February issue.

I wish I could take photos of my quilts as well as they do!

The blocks in this quilt reminded me of snowflakes.  Growing up in North Dakota we had plenty of the white stuff from October through April.  We always dreamed of a school snow day (i.e. unplanned vacation day).  But living in a big town (35k people) we never had a snow day.  We were very jealous of those coming via bus from the base or small outlying communities  who frequently got the extra "vacation" day.

Now that I work from home -- every day can be a snow day.  And I can truly enjoy the white stuff (except when shoveling my driveway).  :)

​Fons and Porter are offering kits if you wish to replicate the fabrics in this quilt.  These fabrics are all from Hoffman of California.  You may order directly from Fons and Porter here.

My quilting designs for Snow Day were done in Art and Stitch. Here is a video that shows how I developed my basic snowflake block.

Here is a slideshow of the snowflake variations that were used in quilting my Snow Day quilt.

I have packaged these digitized quilting designs together and am offering all eight designs at an introductory package price of $25 (regular price of $50).  This package is sure to work for your next "winter" quilt.
​
​Purchase here.

As many of you know, I draft my quilts in Electric Quilt.  But for the quilting designs I use Art and Stitch as Art and Stitch allows me to save my stitches in a format that can be read by my longarm machine.

I typically bring a photo of my quilt from Electric Quilt in as a background image when designing in Art and Stitch.

However this last week, I discovered a really cool thing.  I can actually bring my designs from Art and Stitch back to Electric Quilt.

Marian Penna from Seams to Be Sew had shared an idea in a Facebook group about  bringing embroidery designs into an Electric Quilt project. After hearing her idea, I realized the same concept would also work for quilting designs.

 I believe this technique would work with any digitizing software (not just Art and Stitch).  See how I did it in this weeks video tutorial.

I've been working with Anthology fabrics to update my Ferris Wheel quilt with their newest spring collection.  This quilt is currently on display at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City.  I love the soft batiks in their new Color Stories collection.

With the new fabrics, I decided a new line of custom quilting designs was in order.  These quilting designs were created specifically for the Ferris Wheel quilt.

I have digitized these designs and am now offering them for sale in my store.

Purchase Options:

Ferris Wheel Quilt Pattern (physical copy mailed to you) $10

​Ferris Wheel Quilt Pattern (digital copy for immediate download) $10

Ferris Wheel Quilting Design Bundle Click on link to see all the patterns included in the bundle.

Ferris Wheel combined Piecing Pattern and Quilting Bundle.