I was excited to be able to take a class at the Minnesota Quilt show from Carole Lyles Shaw.  She is an expert on modern quilts.   She is also an Electric Quilt 8 user and Tech Know Quilter member.   I recommend her blog and any of her classes.  

I will be sharing one of her designs and many of Carole's tips in Modern Quilts 2.  Tech Know Quilters should watch for this class.

The class I took from Carole was Mid Century Modern Curves.  She created a spectacular black and white version of her concept.  The quilt won a prize at MidAtlantic Quilt Festival Competition for "Best Use of Negative Space in the MidCentury Modern Category".   

(Click on the photo of her quilt to link to her blog post.  You can also see her award- winning quilt.) 

I joined Carole's class with a stack of ombre fat quarters and a background fabric.  I used her sew, slice, re-position method to create three full blocks.  As an added bonus I created 2 partial blocks from the left-over pieces.

This was definitely outside of my comfort zone -- but I am pretty happy with my blocks.

I am much more comfortable with a bit of structure.   I decided to use EQ to audition my blocks in a quilt layout
 
I had two options.  Option 1:  Redraft the blocks using EasyDraw.   However, I realized it wasn't necessary.  Option 2:  Take a perfect square photos of each of the blocks.  Then import into Electric Quilt. 

I needed to do a bit of cropping and distorting in PhotoShop.  Then I saved the  images in My EQ8>Images folder.   Check on my tutorial on using PhotoShop here.
​
In the free video I include:

• Importing the photos of my Mid Century Modern Quilt Curves blocks into Electric Quilt
• Modifying some photos to create fabric.
• Using the photos and fabrics in a quilt layout.

I wanted to label the photo below -- "Is it live, or is it Memorex?"  Does the fact that I remember the old commercial date me?

Note -- The above photo is actually my Electric Quilt 8 rendition of my quilt center.

Next I need to find some time to work on the borders.

Follow the step-by-step lessons to create eight extraordinary quilts. You will be drawing blocks based on photos, designing a quilt with digital fabric panels, using a mathematical formula and special layouts to create amazing optical illusions, and so much more! Use the knowledge from the techniques you learn and make each quilt your own. After going through these lessons, you’ll feel like a quilt-designing genius! ​

Regular $29.95.  On sale through July 1, 2019 for $27.95.

This will be a short post -- as today I will be teaching Introduction to EQ8 at the MN Quilt Show in Rochester.  I will be touring the exhibits during my lunch break.  If you see me, please stop and say "hi".

Last week I shared how to draft three original nine patch blocks using EasyDraw.  These blocks have a lot of movement as the designs spin around the center of the nine patch.

​I also shared my favorite tools for piecing each of those blocks.  I am a real fan of Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design tools.  If you love her tools as well, you will want to check out that post.

This week, I designed a quilt utilizing the three nine patch spin blocks,  I knew I wanted an on point layout and will share my favorite way of incorporating all three blocks in a quilt.

If you like to replicate my tutorials, feel free to try some different setting options incorporating three different 9 patch blocks.

I would love to see your design.  Feel free to share on the On Point Quilter page or in the Learning EQ Facebook group.  

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 (ie. 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.

Do you give yourself design challenges?  This week I challenge myself to draft three new 9 patch quilt blocks. 

Here were my Electric Quilt challenge rules:

• The block needed to have 9 equal sections and be recognized as a nine-patch unit.
• Draft a new block (nothing that I remembered seeing or using before).
• Blocks needed to be piecing friendly using tools already in my sewing room.

All of the Quantum Leap blocks were colored using a new fabric collection (Quantum) by Guicy Giuce for Andover.

​I've included notes on how I would approach piecing each of these blocks.

Quantum Leap Star #1 would be easy to piece using the V Block Trimmer from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design.  I used the partial V Block unit in my pattern Whim Wham Stars.

Quantum Leap 2 is a variation on Quantum Leap 1.  There are a couple of tools in my collection that would aide in construction.  The Corner Beam Tool (formerly called Spotlight) can be used for the yellow "beam-like" units.  The corners could be done using the Tucker Trimmer.

Quantum Leap 3 looks a bit like a spinning asteroid.  The corners could be created using the Split Rects tool.  I would use the Square 2 toll for the center.  The half-square triangle units could be done with the Tucker Trimmer.  The corners could be pieced with the Corner Pop.

How would you piece each of these blocks.

Please feel free to use my challenge rules to design new 9 patch blocks.  I would love to see your blocks.  Please feel free to post pictures in one of the Electric Quilt 8 Facebook groups -- or on my page.

Learn the fundamentals of block drawing.

If want to draw your own blocks in EQ8, this is the book for you! Experienced EQ educator, Kari Schell, takes you step-by-step through each of the drawing styles available in EQ8. You'll learn skills for both pieced and applique drawing while filling your Sketchbook with beautiful blocks! From drawing a simple nine patch to creating a beautiful floral applique wreath, this book will take your drawing skills to the next level!

​Price:  $29.95

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 (ie. 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.

Let's start with a very personal question.

How do you make your bed in the morning?
(1) Quilt folded back and over the pillow.
(2) Pillows fluffed and on top of the quilt
(3) Pillow Shams over pillows
(4) I never make my bed

Mom taught me the first method and I used that method through my mid 30s.  Once I started quilting, I realized that folding the quilt back doesn't showcase the quilt well.  And it is much faster to make your bed when using pillow shams.

Since I have a new quilt -- I now need new pillow shams.  I will share with you how you can design your own pillow shams using EQ8.

Sign up for my newsletter to receive a pdf download of today's lesson -- complete with illustrations and more detailed instructions.    You can refer to this along with the video tutorial.

The instructions in the pdf are similar to what I provide members in my paid classes including Shoot for the Stars with EQ8  and Tech Know Quilters.

Note:  For those already subscribed to the On Point Quilter newsletter,sign up again with your same email to receive the free pdf tutorial.

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 (ie. 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 the fundamentals of block drawing.

If want to draw your own blocks in EQ8, this is the book for you! Experienced EQ educator, Kari Schell, takes you step-by-step through each of the drawing styles available in EQ8. You'll learn skills for both pieced and applique drawing while filling your Sketchbook with beautiful blocks! From drawing a simple nine patch to creating a beautiful floral applique wreath, this book will take your drawing skills to the next level!

​Price:  $29.95

You will be amazed at what you can create with Electric Quilt 8.  Here are just a few of the designs created in EQ8 by some very talented Tech Know Quilter members this last month.

Tech Know Quilters is a membership program providing training and support for those wanting to master Electric Quilt.  The membership is currently closed.  However you may join the wait list to be informed of the next open enrollment period here.