Do you decorate with quilts for fall?  I love working with fall fabrics and using quilts is my decoration of choice.  I just created a new fall quilt that could easily be stitched up before the snow starts to fall.  (Or since an early snow is in the forecast, maybe before the snow stays on the ground until spring).

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).

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 (i.e.. 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 how to create your own fall wreath using Electric Quilt 8. 

Learn how to combine motifs from multiple blocks into one block along with rotating and resizing the elements to draft the wreath.

Once the wreath was drafted, I knew I didn't want to cut out all those applique shapes by hand.  So I decided to use my electronic cutting system (a Silhouette Cameo) to cut out the leaves.  

There were two challenges to overcome with my drawing.  First, the block is 20 inches x 20 inches -- super big which means lots of tiled pages when I go to do a print out.  And the applique patches are overlapping -- and I want to be able to layer the shapes.  So I didn't want to use the trace feature for this block.

After a bit of experimenting, I found the solution was to print the block to a pdf writer that would allow me to set the paper size to 24 x 24.  No -- I don't have that big of a printer.  

But this allows me to work with all the elements in a single file in Inkscape.  Inscape is a vector graphics program that is free.  There are versions for both MAC and PC.  And it allows me to convert a pdf document into a svg file.   You can read more about Inkscape and download a version here. 

SVG files can be used by all the major cutting systems including Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Mater, and Brother Scan n Cut.  This means if I have any of those systems, I will be able to cut out my Electric Quilt applique fabric patches!  No scissors required.

You are welcome to download my svg file if you wish to test the file with your cutting system of choice.  

To download the file, right click on the photo and  save the zip file which contains the svg document on your computer.  Do not attempt to open the file in your browser.  It will not work.  Once the file is on your computer, use your computer software to unzip the file.  Each operating system has a slightly different approach for this.  If you have questions google "unzip with your operating system".  

Then bring the file into the software for your cutting system.  You will want to weld images before applying the cut feature.  Every system works a bit differently.  Some of the nuances are shared in the Tech Know Quilter class -- Specialty Rulers and Dies.

You can learn more about Tech Know Quilters here and sign up for the wait list for the next open enrollment period.

Next week I plan to share with you a quilt that you can make that features the 20 inch Fall is in the Air wreath.

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 (i.e.. 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.

 In a Facebook group this week, there was a discussion on creating files that could be used by cutting machines such as Silhouette Cameo, Brother Scan and Cut, Cricut Explore Air and Cricut Maker.  These cutting systems all have proprietary software that makes sharing designs between systems problematic.  However --- all of them allow for use of SVG files.

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.

Since Electric Quilt exports to raster formats, we need to be able to transition from those formats to SVG.  

In my free Electric Quilt video tutorial, I will share how to go from a block in Electric Quilt to an svg file.  The intermediate software I use is Inkscape. Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It's free and open source. 

​It can seem overwhelming to use when you open it for the first time. However I will share with your the few items you need to create your SVG file from Electric Quilt.  You can download Inkscape here.

Once you have it downloaded it is super simple to convert your files. 

You may never need to purchase an SVG file again -- just use blocks from the Electric Quilt library or draw your own.  You could even use these designs in creating personal cards.

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.

Would you like to join me for an in person hands-on Electric Quilt class?  I will be teaching at the Minnesota Quilt Show in Rochester MN.  This is my only scheduled in person class for 2019.

The class, Introduction to Electric Quilt 8 is a full day class on Saturday, June 15, 2019.  You can learn more and register here.  

I look forward to seeing you there.

Last week I shared a tutorial on how to create one of a kind snowflakes using EQ8 and I have been seeing some great creations on social media.  

If you missed the tutorial, you will definitely want to go back and check it out.

This week I have remained obsessed with these snowflakes and really want to use them in a quilt project.  I quickly realized that they were pretty intricate and cutting them out by hand would be super tedious.  So I decided it was time to pull out my Silhouette Cameo (it is the one without a number) and see if I could cut them there.

This ended up being a little more involved that I had planned as the first few snowflakes were a disaster -- fabric was shifting and cuts were not clean.  However I had some conversations with others on Facebook and kept playing.  And after a number of different experiments I finally found the "secret formula" for cutting these out.

​I will share all in my current tutorial.  How I transfer designs from EQ to the Silhouette Design Studio along with my suggestions for a successful cut.

I want to give a shout out to C J Tinkle.  She has created numerous appliques using her Silhouette Cameo 3.  She mentioned to me that she had successfully used the following settings -- which were different than what I ended up with -- but a great starting point..  So it really is important to experiment and see what works for your machine.

I also started researching other digital cutting options -- and found that Cricut has a digital cutting machine that uses a rotary cutting blade.  It is more expensive than the Silhouette -- but may be worth it if it works as well as the advertisements.  Anybody out there currently using the Cricut Maker for cutting fabric appliques?  I would be interested in your opinion.

I am currently at a retreat and fused and stitched 3 of the snowflakes for a mini-quilt.  Here is the result.  Now on to design new borders.

Are you ready to finally master using the applique tools in Electric Quilt 8?  I have an online class that will provide you everything you need to get started in using these tools within EQ8. ​

Did you know I have a You Tube channel?  My goal has been to place copies of my older videos on my You Tube channel.  This will give you an easy place to search for those oldies but goodies. It is also useful if you are searching for a particular Electric Quilt or Art and Stitch topic.

You Tube informed me that I now have over 1,000 subscribers.  I suspect a few of you may be on that list.  If not, feel free to hop over to my You Tube channel and subscribe.

Included are separate playlists for both Art and Stitch and Electric Quilt videos.  So you can focus on the area that most interests you.  

When cleaning up my You Tube channel, I came across a video on transferring applique designs from Electric Quilt to the Silhouette Cameo.  What a great way to cut your applique shapes -- particularly if you need precision in the process.

I thought I would replay the video this week as I suspect many of you may have missed it back in 2014.  :)

The first session of Introduction to Electric Quilt 7 filled -- so I have opened a second session that will start on February 13th from 1 - 2:30 Central Time.  

​Class size will be limited to 8 participants.  Seats are available on a first come first serve basis.  This class will be exactly like taking at "in person" class at a show or shop.   We will use screen sharing technology -- so you will be able to see my screen and if you have specific questions, I will also be able to view yours as well.

EARLY ENROLLMENT BONUS:  Free 20 minute private coaching session ($60 value) for anyone enrolling prior to January 31, 2017.

Enroll now.

Just added...

Are you ready to learn the secrets of Easy Draw.  Join the instructor led Easy Draw online class on February 13, 20 and 27, 2017 6:30 - 8:00 pm (Central time) (three sessions).  Enroll now.

EARLY ENROLLMENT BONUS:  Free 20 minute private coaching session ($60 value) for anyone enrolling prior to January 31, 2017.

Valentines Day is a month away!  Do you have a favorite valentines quilt for decorating your wall or table?  My Be My Valentine Quilt is an fun easy pattern.  Here are a few of the fabric options.

This also makes a great shower or wedding gift for someone special in your life.

Quilt measures 40" x 16".

A physical copy of the pattern may be purchased at your local quilt shop.  Or enjoy one of three purchasing options directly from On Point Quilter. Note that both Hugs and Kisses and True Love include both physical and digital copies of the piecing pattern.