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As I write this post, I just finished watching the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics. I am at a quilt retreat this weekend with my guild and have been having a blast catching up with friends -- and watching with friends was super special.
My favorite part was the segment where performers acted out the pictograms. Can I share a secret? The pictograms would make great backdrop for blocks for the summer games. 
On Monday evening we will be finishing up the Summer Games challenge with a live Zoom meeting.
For those enrolled in the challenge, the videos will be available through the end of the month. (VIP members will get lifetime access and will receive information on their lifetime access in early August.) Even if you were unable to join the challenge, you are still welcome to participate in the reveal where I share my layout along with my pieced quilt using the challenge blocks. I will also be sharing some highlights from the Challenge and information about Tech Know Quilters. Tech Know Quilters is a membership for those desiring to master Electric Quilt 8. I will also be announcing open enrollment along with a special bonuses,
Check out some of the drafted blocks and quilts (and even a few pieced blocks) below.
Bonus Block - Boxing
Those in the Summer Games EQ8 Challenge have been receiving instructions for drafting a series of six inch blocks in EQ8.
This bonus block is not technically part of the challenge, but could be used as a replacement block, if you chose not to include one of the other blocks. Jabs, crosses, uppercuts... a single punch can make all the difference in boxing. The sport made its Olympic debut at St Louis 1904 and women entered the fray at London 2012.
Here is the image for tracing.
For those in the Summer Games challenge, you will want to piece the block with a finished size of 6" x 6" (without seam allowances).
Post any pictures of your blocks or quilts in the Learning EQ Facebook group. To keep the Facebook group from getting cluttered, share your pictures in the Boxing post. Summer Games Challenge Showcase
I am so impressed by the blocks those in the challenge have been drafting. it is amazing seeing their skills develop as they spend a little bit of time for a two week periods using Electric Quilt.
Here are a few of the the posted photos from the week.
Summer Games Free EQ8 Challenge
Would you like to join the fun? We would love for you to join this group of creative quilters in drafting piecing friendly quilt blocks and grow your Electric Quilt 8 skill set. We can get you caught up in 24 hours.
In the post:
Ready! Set! Design!
Summer Games Electric Quilt free challenge is here. As the excitement grows for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic games, let’s have our own EQ Summer Games challenge right here. As we watch athletes up their games as they compete at a worldwide level, let’s up our EQ8 skills as well. Take your EQ8 skills to the next level with the Summer Games two-week challenge that will have you drafting fun new blocks for a sports themed quilt. Free for both beginners and those with EQ8 experience. What’s included:
Join this fun free Electric Quilt 8 challenge starting July 9th. With just 15 minutes a day you too can create your own amazing sports themed quilt. Don’t miss out. Join the Summer Games challenge today. Summer Games Challenge Block 1 - Diving
Here are some of the drafted blocks that participants have already been sharing in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Friendship Rings
Create a block with five interlocking rings.
Friendship Rings Block Sewn by Kari Schell
Here is the video on drafting the Friendship Rings block using Electric Quilt 8.
For those in the Summer Games challenge, you will want to piece the block with a finished size of 14" x 14".
For those not in the challenge (along with those in the challenge inspired to draft a new quilt) -- consider drafting a quilt staring the Friendship Rings block.
Post any pictures of your blocks or quilts in the Learning EQ Facebook group. To keep the Facebook group from getting cluttered, share your pictures in the Rings post.
Lots to share this week. As promised, this post includes the remaining close-ups of the Summer Games quilt. I also am now the proud owner of EQ Stitch! I am including my initial impressions of the software -- and my first video. See how easy it is to produce quilting designs for stitching on your embroidery machine. I am also introducing a number of new digital quilting designs (for both longarm and embroidery systems) for the Summer Games quilt -- with a sale on these new designs. Summer Games - QuiltingAs a reminder this is the full quilt.  Summer Games Quilt - Patterns Available  Rings Medallion with Infinite Circles and Bubble Ring Quilting Designs  Close Up of Medallion with Medals. Design features Infinite Circles, Bubble Ring and Bubble Swirl Quilting designs.  Border Designs featuring Bubble Swirl Quilting design.  Close-up of Medal Blocks featuring Infinite Circles and Bubble Swirl Quilting Designs
EQ StitchI am now a proud owner of Electric Quilt Stitch. What is EQ Stitch -- it is an add-on software for Electric Quilt that provides the ability to create designs for your embroidery machine. Here are a few observations after beginning to play with EQ Stitch:
Electric Quilt Videos - Continuous Quilting Designs and EQ StitchMy videos this week will include how to create a continuous quilting design in EQ. Part 2 will show how easy it is to add the stitches using EQ Stitch. Featured Products - Summer Games Quilting Designs
My Summer Games quilt is finished. I completed the binding in my hotel room in Denver and showed the quilt to those at the Electric Quilt Academy during my lecture on Friday night. And now I would like to share it with you. By the way, I am totally sold on the 3 day immersion program for expanding your Electric Quilt skills. I taught the beginner class. My students were awesome and by the end were confidently drafting blocks in Easy Draw, importing fabrics from the internet and even creating a Row by Row quilt. It was also great having Electric Quilt staff in the classroom to answer questions and assist students as well. Back to the Summer Games quilt.  Summer Games Quilt by Kari Schell This week I thought I would share close ups of the quilted sporting blocks. When quilting these blocks, I tried to come up with textures that would complement the design. I outlined many of the shapes. Most of the work was done freehand. This technique works equally well on longarm machines and domestic sewing machines. There are some wobbles as a result -- but I don't think it detracts from the overall look of the quilt.
Next week I will share how I created some of the specialized quilting designs for the other blocks. Northwoods Loon Class at Gruebers
Featured Product - Come Said the Wind Come Said the Wind Wall Quilt by Kari Schell  Come Said the Wind Small Quilt by Kari Schell The leaves will be turning shortly -- and it is time to display my Come Said the Wind quilts. For my followers, I am offering a sale on the bundled version of Come Said the Wind which includes the two quilting designs. The bundle is on sale for $15 (that's 50% off the non-bundled prices). No digital longarm system -- there are also pdfs of the quilting designs that may be copied and resized. Best of all you can get started today with downloads of everything.
This is the final block in our Summer Games series. I'm excited that my quilt top is done. Now to find time to get it quilted.  Tennis Paper Pieced Block by Kari Schell This block is actually a variation of the badminton block. I needed to change the base of the racket, remove the birdie and add a tennis ball. You may use this block to replace one of the blocks in the Summer Games quilt. Or create a mini-quilt and let this block be a star. (Note that their are no instructions given for the mini-quilt. It was just an Electric Quilt play-time quilt.)  Mini Quilt Using the Tennis Block by Kari Schell Click here to purchase and download the block pattern for paper piecing. Pattern includes over-sized cutting instructions and piecing diagram. Please make sure to verify that you are printing actual size (no scaling). In your printer options you may need to uncheck "print to page". Click here to purchase other block patterns. Drafting the Tennis Block in Electric Quilt Tennis Block Drafted in Electric Quilt Block>New Block>Easy Draw Plus Patch Draw Import Image for Tracing in the Tracing Image tab. Easy Draw Tab Settings Block Width and Height: 12 x 12 Snapping Options: Snap to Lines and Arcs of Drawing only Select the Line tool and draw lines to divide into four major segments.  Sectioning the Tennis Block in Electric Quilt Use the line tool and trace lines for each of the segments. Ignore the racket's string for now. Add to Segment after completing each segment.  Tracing the Tennis Block in Electric Quilt Print>Foundation Pattern. Check both the Sections and Numbering tabs and make any adjustments at this point. If the sections are not correct, select Start Over and pick all the the pieces you want included in the section and select Group. Add to Sketchbook. Use this version for printing the Foundation Patterns to piece the block.  Checking the Foundations in Electric Quilt Go to the Applique Tab. Click on the Pick tool and turn all of the Snapping Options off. Use the Line tool and draw each of the Strings as a separate line. Zoom in and use the Shape tool to fine tune the placement of each of the lines. Add to Sketchbook. Save.  Adding the Racket Strings in the Applique Tab Back to SchoolIn MN, most of our schools start the Tuesday after Labor Day. Are you looking to learn something new during this school year? Why not enroll in an Electric Quilt University class? A new session of Small Quilts with a Twist - Octagon Table Runners is now open.
 Happy quilting.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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