What is a tessellation? According to Jinny Beyer, a tessellation is a shape or combination of shapes which will indefinitely cover an area without any gaps or overlaps.  Tessellations are most easily identified as interlocking motifs.  However, any quilt block that repeats itself can be considered a tessellation.

The block drafted in today's tutorial has a tessellation shape within the block.  Four corners come together for a repeat of the shape in the center -- giving the illusion of the interlocking pattern.  

Because the tessellating unit was designed in a block with a 6 x 6 grid (note that there are six even divisions going across and down), it will be super simple to piece -- no inset seams required. 

In the EQ8 video tutorial, learn to draft a smaller unit (1/4 of the block), use serendipity to create the larger block, and use some advanced coloring features to recolor the quilt.

Here is a link to the free fabric collection used in the video and available on the Do You EQ website.  The collection is Good Vibes.  It was designed by Crysta Watson and manufactured by Benartex.

I would love to see pictures of your quilt.  Feel free to share in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Combine with 6-1/2" x 2-1/2" strips (from the EQ8 Rotary Cutting Chart).  The unit should measure 6-1/2" x 6-1/2".  Combine and rotate four units for each block.  Consider trying different rotation options for your block.

Do you decorate with quilts for fall?  I love working with fall fabrics and quilts are my decoration of choice in my home.  I created this fall quilt that could easily be stitched up before the snow starts to fall.  

Last week I shared how to take a number of applique motifs from the EQ8 library and combine them to make a wreath.  If you missed the tutorial you can catch it here.   

​In addition to sharing how to create the wreath, I also discussed how to convert the file to an svg format -- which is usable with Silhouette Cameo, Brother Scan n Cut and Cricut Maker cutting systems.  So it would be super easy to make this 20 inch wreath.

This week I will share with you how to create a simple setting and some easy to piece blocks for a fun new fall quilt.

The maple leaf block is 3" finished and easy to rotary cut and the large 20" finished block would be conducive to foundation piecing -- or adding 5-1/2" and 3-1/2" squares for folded corners.

Additional Cutting Information for Borders

• Border 1 is cut from 2 inch strips of Dark Gold.
• Border 2 is cut from 1-1/2 inch strips of Background.
• Border 3 is pieced with Maple Leaf block and spacers.  Spacers are cut  4-1/2" x 3-1/2".
• Border 4 is cut from 1-1/2 inch strips of Background.
• Border 5 is cut from 2 inch strips of Dark Gold.
• Border 6 is cut from 4-1/2 inch strips of Leaf Print.

Quilt will finish 44" x 44" (without binding).

I am curious if you go with my design -- or come up with one of your own.  Post a picture of what you ended up doing.

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

Last week, I shared drafting a postcard quilt that had a heart, in a heart, in a heart.  If you would like to create this pattern for yourself, please check out the EQ8 tutorial in last weeks bog.  

I mentioned I had purchased a couple of new items for foundation piecing and decided to try they out when constructing the postcard quilt. 

• See my review of  Foundation Stuff compared to the newsprint I typically use.   
• Plus, see how to use the Triple-Duty 8" Seam Allowance Guide in constructing the Teeny Tiny Heart Postcard. 

Both products were purchased from georgesiciliano.com

When doing foundations, we need a base that has printed foundations that we will use as guidelines for sewing.  The new product I tried was Foundation Stuff.  
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Here is a personal comparison of the three foundations I currently use.  I printed out my Teeny Tiny Hearts foundations on all three.

This is the brand I have been using for the last five plus years.  It goes through the printer without a problem and it is super easy to cut and to tear off.  Of the brands I was comparing, it was the hardest to see through -- but newsprint will darken over time (and the paper was purchased a number of years ago).  The biggest downside is that the paper can easily tear ahead of the removal process -- particularly when working with micro foundations.

The current price of the paper on Amazon Prime is $13.92 for 100 sheets.

The EQ Printables newsprint was a little lighter than color than the Carol Doak's paper (and as a result a bit easier to see through).  This could be because the paper is stored in a sealed bag which gives it less exposure to light and air.

It printed beautifully and appears to handle just like the Carol Doak's newsprint.

It retails for $9.95 for 100 sheets on the EQ website (and on my website as well).  This does not include shipping.

This is lightweight foundation material created by George & Virgia Siciliano.  The cover notes the following.  "Stabilizes fabric during stitching allowing for accurate seam lines.  It is durable, transparent and does not stretch.  Can be left in your project for added stability.  It's washable & dry-cleanable.  Can be marked with pen, iron-on transfers & rubber stamps.  Will go through printers and copiers."

When doing my miniature heart block (with the first heart foundation being under 3/4"), I found there was no splitting of the foundation during the sewing process.  I had set my stitches to 1.2 on my machine since I had seams that were less than 1/8" in length.  Very impressive.

It is a nice white material and is much easier to see through than the other two brands.  It was soft  -- as a result I would be comfortable leaving it in my projects.  But it also seemed as easy to remove as the other brands.  So leaving it in versus removal can be your choice.

It did do a nice job of printing -- however, my paper was slightly wrinkled when I removed it from my printer.  The wrinkles appear to have happened after the print as I was able to iron them out and did not notice an issue with distortion.  I ran three different sheets through my  Brother Laserjet printer with similar results.  I would recommend testing this will your own printer.

It retails on www.georgesiciliano.com for $15 for 50 sheets  plus a $3 charge for shipping.  So this is the most expensive of the options.

For most of my foundations, I will use the EQ Printables Quilter's Newsprint.  The ease of running through the printer and the price point being the biggest advantages.

For minis, I will use Foundation Stuff, as I did appreciate that the foundation didn't fall apart during the pull-back, nor did it split when sewing my very small stitches.

While purchasing Foundation Stuff, I also saw that George Siciliano had a Triple-Duty Seam Allowance Guide.  I was curious how it compared to the Add-A-Quarter and Add-an-Eighth tools from CM Tools.  I typically use the Add-A-Quarter guide for all my foundation blocks and it is the tool I recommend in my foundation patterns.  .

I will share my experience with the Triple-Duty Seam Allowance Guide (along with using  Foundation Stuff)  in my video for the week.

I had a few nightmares with uploading videos from my phone to my computer and needed to abandon the first video where I sewed the center of my heart.  However, since the primary purpose of the video was to share how I use the Triple-Duty 8" Seam Allowance Guide, this should give you a good idea of the process.

I've now completed two postcards.  These are really a lot of fun.

Would you like a downloadable copy of the foundation for the Teeny Tiny Heart block?  You can download it here. 

Make sure to double check the sizing before using the foundations asprinters can distort pdfs.  Two copies of the block are included on the page.

One question I am frequently asked is -- "How do I make a quilt that I designed in Electric Quilt?" 

There are many ways to approach piecing a block.  
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​I love working with folded corners as all the pieces are squares and rectangles.  No cut triangles are required when using this technique.

 I will share my suggestions for creating folded corner cutting charts for your Electric Quilt blocks.

Back when I started quilting, I had a book from Mary Ellen Hopkins entitled "It's OK if you Sit on My Quilt Book".  In this book she introduced the quilting world to connector corners.  I think this may have been one of the techniques that revolutionized modern day quilting.  Over the years I have heard a number of names for the technique including "cheater corner" and "folded corner". ​

The technique refers to a method of adding triangles to a quilt block using only square or rectangle pieces of fabric.  It is frequently the suggested method for creating snowball blocks, square within a square units and flying geese units.  

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of a folded corner piece from corner to corner. 

1. Place on the corner of a base piece with right sides together. 
2. Sew on the drawn diagonal.
3. Press folded corner to corner.
4. (Optional) - Trim back two pieces leaving 1/4" seam.

As you can see, piecing a folded corner block is super simple!

However when we design in Electric Quilt, EQ does not give us rotary cutting measurements that are conducive to using the folded corner technique.

My video tutorial will share with you how to create cutting charts that utilize the folded corner construction technique.  This technique works best for blocks with patches that are square or rectangle and have 45 degree angles.

Here are the rotary cutting charts from the quilt in the video.

Enjoy the virtual quilt show as Tech Know Quilter members shared what they learned during October.  If you would like to join the wait list for the next open enrollment for Tech Know Quilters, you may sign up here.

I have some new great tips to share with you on the String Applique Circle quilt.  Did you know that you can create applique shapes with "holes" in them in Electric Quilt?  Read more below.

Also check out the next steps in constructing the String Applique quilt -- along with free templates for both the circles and the rings.

But first.......

Time is running out to get your early registration bonus for two brand new Electric Quilt classes.

What are the bonuses?

Early Sign-Up Bonus:  As a special bonus, if you sign up by March 13, 2017 you will be entitled to  a private 20 minute coaching call (value of $60) with Kari that may be used any time during the course of the class.  Use it for extra help on a topic or to pick Kari's brain on something you wish to do in Electric Quilt.
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Double Up:  Register for both classes Settings and Border 1 and Pieced Patch Draw and take an extra $20 off your total. Enter coupon code MarchMadness when checking out.

Class starts March 20, 2017.  Price $100.   Register here.

Class starts March 21, 2017. Price $100.   Register here.

For those attending EQ Academy, the Pieced Patch Draw material will be included in my blocks class.  Click here to register for EQ Academy.

I've been pondering construction of my Circle Applique String quilt.  The problem (after having designed all those string pieced circles) was figuring out how best to attach them to the quilt.

After some contemplation, I decided I would create a 1 inch wide ring to surround each string pieced circle.  If I fused the surrounding circle (connecting the string pieced circle with the background), I would have something that would be very doable to machine applique.

However, before adding the fusible fabric to my quilt, I wanted to add the same to my Electric Quilt project as well.

The challenge was creating an applique shape with a hole in the center.  Check out my latest Electric Quilt video to see how I tackled this.

If you missed any of the previous posts on the construction process, check them out:

• Piecing the string piece segments.
• Constructing and quilting the base.

Cut out the String Applique circle blocks. 

​For this I created templates in Electric Quilt which I printed out on freezer paper.  The size of the circles were 1/2 inch smaller than the original design -- so I could allow for the overlap of the fused rings. 

Now I am thinking I would like to add a quilting design on each of the string pieced circles.  But I will save that for next week.