Christmas Tree Typography

I saw an image on Facebook where they used alphabet blocks to spell out a Christmas message in the shape of a Christmas tree.

After looking at this, I knew I could do something similar in Electric Quilt 8.

​I look forward to sharing how to do it in this weeks blog post.

Before checking out the lesson, make sure to register for the free EQ8 webinar happening right after Christmas.  I am looking forward to sharing a new projects (along with the insights in using Electric Quilt 8) in a live settings.

Mix and Match Winter Wall Hanging Webinar Registration Now Open

How often do you look at a cute quilt on Pinterest or in a favorite magazine  and wish you knew how you could harness your own inner creativity to create your own quilted work of art.  I am super excited to share with you how to use your favorite blocks (or create new ones) -- and turn them into a personal masterpiece.

Imagine a world where you can:

• Confidently draft blocks using an easy to master formula, to create a personal library of designs for your future quilts.
• Create a layout that allows your blocks to shine (even when they are not all the same size).
• Experiment with various fabric collections to find the perfect match for your blocks and personal style.
• Easily swap out blocks in your quilt -- until your find the perfect design.  Just for you!

​
Join me for an enlightening live webinar where I will guide you through every step of the process, focusing on creating Mix and Match Winter Wall Hanging blocks and quilts.

In this exclusive webinar, you'll:

​Learn to draft a series of blocks suitable for a winter wall hanging.

Discover the power of custom set as you combine blocks of different sizes in your quilt -- and add spacers to fill in the holes.   ​

Learn how to design additional blocks that can be replacements for blocks in your first quilt.

Learn to create a touch of whimsy with added embellishments and embroidery to your design.

Register now to secure your stop for this exclusive webinar.

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Date and Time

Registration Link

Local Time

Monday, December 30
10 am Central Time

December 30 10 AM Registration

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Monday, December 30
7 pm Central Time

December 30 7 PM Registration

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Tuesday, December 31
3 pm Central Time

December 32 3 PM Registration

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Christmas Tree Typography Tutorial

Start by gathering (or creating) a collection of alphabet blocks.
​
Within Electric Quilt ,there are a few alphabets built into the EQ8 library including the following..

Letters and Numbers 1 and 2 -- These are part of Classic Pieced and are rotary cutting friendly patches.

Letters and Numbers

Under Foundation Pieced blocks there are five different options

• Alphabet - Basic
• Alphabet - Funky
• Alphabet - Greek
• Alphabet - Hebrew
• Alphabet - Ribbon

Alphabet - Basic

Alphabet - Funky

Alphabet - Greek

Alphabet - Hebrew

Alphabet - Ribbon

Under Motifs there are three different options. 

• Alphabet
• Alphabet Blocks
• Alphabet Fancy

Motifs are applique blocks that don't have a background.

Alphabet

Alphabet Blocks

Alphabet Fancy

Under overlaid you can find the Embellished Alphabet which combines pieced blocks with applique motifs.

Embellished Alphabet

For the Christmas Typography quilt, you can use any of the alphabets for your quilt.  

However, if you chose an alphabet from the Motif library, the letters will not have a background.  This will requiring putting your letters on layer 2 -- essentially separating the letters from the blocks.  Or you need to create new blocks -- with a background.

I loved the Alphabet library under Motifs -- but knew I wanted a background for each block.

In the video I will take you through the process of how you can add a background to any Applique motif.  

It does take a little bit of time.  But once you have completed the process, you can put them in your own personal library.  This will ensure your blocks are easily imported into any EQ8 project.

A Surprise Christmas Gift for You

If that seems a bit daunting, I have a Christmas gift for you.  Feel free to open before Christmas.  It is a collection of the Alphabet Motif library from EQ8 -- with the Background added.

​This will only be able to be used with EQ8.

I have gone through and added backgrounds to the Alphabet library under motifs.  I've set up a personal library (labeled Alphabet).  In this library, I have three sub-categories:

• Capital Letters
• Numbers
• ​Small Letters

In order to share this file on my website, I needed to compress and upload it as a .ZIP file.  You can access and download the zip file by selecting the Alphabet with Background .BLK file button below.

Alphabet with Background .BLK File

After downloading to your computer, you will need to un-compress it.  This process will vary depending on your operating system. 

Once the file is uncompressed, place your .BLK file in your My EQ8>User Favorites folder.  This will ensure will be accessible in EQ8.

The Alphabet.BLK file cannot be opened -- so don't try to open it.  

However if you open Electric Quilt and go to libraires>My Favorite Blocks, you will find the Alphabet library and all the blocks.  

These blocks can be added to any project by selecting Select All Blocks followed by Add to Sketchbook.  This will need to be done for each sub-category you wish to include in your project.

Alphabet Motif Library Created under My Favorite Blocks

In the video tutorial, I will also share with you you a fast way to set up a horizontal strip quilt with 2" blocks (perfect for your Alphabet blocks).

Drop in your alphabet blocks to create your Christmas Typography tree.  If you use my text, four of the blocks will need to be set on Layer 2.

Color the alphabet blocks, the background, border and add a star for the top of the tree.

All this is reviewed in the video tutorial.

Initial draft of the Christmas Tree with Alphabet blocks/

Recolored Christmas Tree

Final Christmas Tree Typography Quilt

To make this quilt, I will cut out the letters on my Cricut Maker. 

Any electronic cutting system would do (or you can use templates from EQ).  For the squares, I would cut a collection of 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" green and tan scraps from my stash. 

​I don't think I will need any new fabrics to finish this quilt.

I look forward to seeing what you do with this concept.  What else could you do with adding words to the tree?

Share your quilts in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group for Christmas Typography Quilt

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​Happy quilting.

​Kari

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