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One of my favorite uses of Electric Quilt is to draft a block in EQ using the technique I plan to use to piece the block and then create my own quilt layout for the block.
The video tutorial this week was inspired by the Studio 180 Design Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star tool along with the Starburst Technique Sheet. I loved how easy it is to piece this block using Deb Tucker's over-sized piecing/trim down techniques. No need for foundation patterns, templates or set-in seams. My kind of block! In this video I will cover drafting the block using PolyDraw, using Serendipity to frame the block for a fun complementary design and creating a quilt using an On Point setting.
Here are the blocks and quilts from the video.
Tech Know Quilters Specialty Rulers and Dies Class
There are a lot of tools on the market that can make cutting and piecing our quilts so much easier. However when it comes to designing we need to develop our skill set to understand the best options for creating blocks and quilts that can utilize these tools. Even if you don’t use the tools discussed in this class, you will learn that the techniques transfer to most quilting rulers and dies. This class has a lot of fun bonuses built into the lessons that you are not going to want to miss. There are sessions on Studio 180 Design tools, Hex N More, Wedge Rulers and Accuquilt Dies along with working with Electronic Cutting Systems like Silhouette, Cricut and Brother Scan N Cut. Here are just some of the projects you will learn to create in the class.
If you are a Tech Know Quilter member, you are welcome to select this as one of your monthly classes (or even add it on to your planned class). Just send us a note if you would like to do either of these options in September. Note that it is a more advanced class.
If you are currently not a member, you can learn more and sign up for the wait list here. Sale on Studio 180 Design Rulers
I have a few Deb Tucker rulers -- 15% off through August 2022 -- while quantities last. Make sure to use the code STUDIO180 when checking out to receive the discount.
Let me take you through the process of making the quilt. Equilateral Triangle 1
Equilateral Triangle 2Block ConstructionQuilt Construction![]() To quilt the Miniature Star 60, I stitched in the ditch around the equilateral triangles. For the setting corners and inner border, I quilted about 1/4 inch apart following the angle of the hexagon blocks. I quilted straight lines for the outer border. Everything was eye-balled (with no pre-marking of the quilting lines) Review of Star 60 Tool by Studio 180 DesignI liked that all of my pieces were easy to cut with the Star 60 tool (equilateral triangles, diamonds and the trapazoid pieces). I was even able to cut the setting triangles. Of course the oversized piecing, trim down technique from Studio 180 Design is always a preferred piecing methodology in any of my quilts. I was pleasantly surprised that these miniature units were no problem. The instructions that came with the tool were good -- but there were a lot of them and it was a little easy to get lost the first time cutting and trimming down each unit. I know that I will use this tool again. The tool should be available at local quilt shops. Here is a link directly to the Studio 180 Design website, if you would like to purchase directly from them. Hexagon Quilts Designed in EQHexagons are one of my favorite type of designs in my Tech Know Quilter's classes. Tech Know Quilter's is a paid membership program for quilters who wish to master using Electric Quilt 8. Membership is only open a few times a year, so sign up for the wait list to be informed of the next open enrollment period. Here are a few of the hexagon designs created by Tech Know Quilter members. Many of these were class projects -- with a few originals or variations included. (Note that these are not necessarily Star 60 friendly.) Design Your Own Star 60 Block
There are two basic shapes, that you can work with (1) an equilateral triangle and (2) a diamond. There are a ton of size options, but you essentially can create larger over-sized units by combining the diamond with two equilateral triangles. The pieced units are then trimmed down to the precise size needed.
You can combine these units with larger equilateral triangles and diamonds to create even larger equilateral triangles. Here is one design I came up with.
To play even more I combined six equilateral triangle units to create a hexagon block.
It did take a bit of effort to draft the hexagon block -- which was created as an applique motif block in Electric Quilt 8. I began to wonder about how I could more easily audition my designs to see if I liked them before drafting the actual block.
So I came up with a much easier solution using Electric Quilt 8 software. For this solution, I am not worried about "piecing" the block -- only about coloring to see if I could come up with a design that would be Star 60 friendly with fabrics I would like to work with.
In my Electric Quilt tutorial, I will share with you how simple it is to create graph paper with guidelines to create your own equilateral triangle and hexagon block designs. I will also share some fast coloring techniques as well.
Here is the link to the equilateral triangle calculator referenced in the video.
Here is the one patch quilt from the video.
My challenge to you. Create your own equilateral triangle unit/hexagon block in a favorite fabric collection. I would love to see what you come up with.
Apply What You Learned Challenge Quilts
Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training. At the end of their April class, they were encouraged to apply what they learned during the month of April.
Tech Know Quilters is open to new members only a few times a year. You can sign up for the wait list here and we will notify you of the next open enrollment period..
Kessel Point - Just finished the Design to Production and it has been my favorite! Very organized and methodical approach which speaks to my soul,
I’ve had this Dream Big panel for awhile and decided it will become a anniversary gift for my in-laws in September. Utilizing Kari’s cheat sheets, I was able to dissect block by block and lay out my plan of attack. Even better – I too have a new Cricut Maker and have attempted the EQ8 >Inkscape>Cricut path. Your tutorial to do so enabled me in easily creating the appliques for my Camping quilt Thanks for your efforts Kari – Your lessons are invaluable!
Kristy Goodin Soard I took the Masters Advanced PolyDraw class this month. I was reminded to use multiple rings and spokes settings in a single block. I found the block in my book by Edyta Sitar, but she created it with templates and I wanted to be able to execute with foundation piecing. I used a layout from the library to create one quilt, and designed the second on my own.
Other Projects
Here are some additional projects created by Tech Know Quilter members -- they are a very talented group who are doing amazing things with Electric Quilt 8.
TKQ Masters Projects![]()
On Facebook this week, I saw that Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design created a new tool -- the Wedge Star. After looking at the tool and the quilts designed using the tool, I fell in love with the simplicity of how the blocks are created combined with a complex look by coloring the blocks.
To take full advantage of the Wedge Star tool, I knew I needed to recreate these blocks in Electric Quilt so I could play with a fabric collection of my choice. In this 7 minute tutorial you will be guided through drafting the two blocks in PolyDraw, importing the Art Gallery Matchmade fabric collection (included in Stash 2019 Download 01), and creating 3 on point quilts in the quilt worktable.
As an alternative to using the tool, you could also print out foundation patterns directly from Electric Quilt. Here are the blocks from the video.
Here are the quilts from the video.
I would love to see your designed Kaleidoscope Wedge quilts. Feel free to post on the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Introduction to Electric Quilt Class at Minnesota Quilt Show
Would you like to join me for an 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, 2018. You can learn more and register here. I look forward to seeing you there. Shoot for the Stars with EQ8
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.
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. It is frequently the suggested method for creating snowball blocks, square within a square units and flying geese units. Although I've used the technique over the years, I found that I would have some fabric slippage or I would stretch the fabric in the pressing process -- resulting in less than perfect results.
A couple of years ago I was introduced to the Perfect Corner Ruler™. It is built off the folded corner concept. However this variation on the technique gets rid of some of the challenges with folded corners.
The Perfect Corner Method™ and Ruler™ were both developed by Ruthanna Grihalva, Forever In Stitches, LLC. Using the Perfect Corner Ruler
I used the Perfect Corner ruler in my Tad, Ted and Theodore Bowtie pattern. The example below is for the "Theodore" unit in this pattern.
Using the ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the base piece of fabric (this is the piece the corner will be added to). The measurement to use for this line is exactly the same as your folded corner measurement. (For the Theodore unit this is 2".) ![]()
Cut corners. The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square. For Theodore this was 2-3/4" x 2-3/4". Cut the square once on the diagonal for two corner pieces.
Using the Corner Pop Ruler
Approximately six months ago Deb Tucker came out with her version of a "folded corner" ruler. Corner Pop™ from Studio 180 Design is used for folded corner units. Using this tool you will trim rather than mark, add an oversized replacement triangle and then square everything to a perfect size.
This tool is featured in my latest pattern - Ferris Wheel. This pattern would have traditionally called for a 2 inch folded corner. Here is how I used the Corner Pop tool. ![]()
Use the 1 1/2″ Cut Away lines on the Corner Pop™ to cut one corner on a half-square triangle unit.
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The square for these corners will be 3/4" greater than the folded corner square. (For this unit, the square is 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".) Cut each corner squre once on the diagonal to create two half-square triangles.
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With the half square triangle unit on top, sew (using an accurate 1/4″ seam) the corner triangle to the half square triangle.
Folded Corner Poll
Inquiring minds what to know....what methods you have tried -- and if you have tried multiple methods, which one do you prefer. Poll selections are confidential.
Featured Pattern - Ferris Wheel
When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride. I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night. This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps. If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.
Happy quilting.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
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