Double Cross Block Meets Tim Holtz

Last weekend, I had a quilt retreat with a few friends. 

​During the retreat, I was able to complete a Scrappy Squares Applique top using a very old collection of 1-1/2" strips.

What I learned:

• It was definitely too bulky to sew and flip the fusible interfacing.
• I ended up attaching the leaves to Hugs 'n Kisses HNKHABY13 applique paper (fusible attached to the 1" squares side) and very tiny buttonhole stitch to attach to the background.

Hopefully I can get it quilted in the next couple of weeks.

If you missed the tutorial on drafting scrappy applique quilts, you can find it here.

Scrappy Applique Leaf Wreath Quilt Pieced by Kari

We also had a shopping excursion -- visiting a couple of local quilt shops.  One of my friends was really into the Tim Holtz Halloween fabrics and picked up a number of them for a project she was working on.

The fabrics intrigued me and I decided to do a little bit of playing in EQ.

Free Spirit Tim Holtz Fabric

Free Spirit produces the fabric under the label "Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements".

The bad news was I couldn't find a zip file that allowed me to quickly download the fabric to my computer and upload it as a group into EQ.

The good news (sort of) is that each of the fabric images presented a 12 inch swatch -- with the ruler at the bottom.

Using techniques covered in my Tech Know Quilters, Working with Fabrics class, I imported the images into the image worktable.  Resized an cropped the ruler and added as fabric.  I could have set up a fabric library -- but I just dumped them in my current project. Just to see if I liked them in a quilt. 

If you are interested in taking the Working with Fabrics class, send Kari a note.

(Note that the fabric importing and cropping is not included in this weeks video.)

Fabric Swatch on Free Spirit Website

In drafting the block, I wanted only horizontal vertical, and diagonal (45 degree angles).  Which would make the block easy to piece.

I original put 9-patch units in all the on point squares -- but decided to simplify the design. 

​In the video, I share drafting of my simplified design.

Original Double Cross 9 Patch Idea (not included in video)

Double Cross 9 Patch Coloration 1 from Video

Double Cross 9 Patch Coloration 2 from Video

In the video, you may have noticed that I saved some early versions of the block.  This will give you the flexibility to design your 9 patch variation in the on Point squares.  Of course the design does not need to be a 9 patch.

One other item I covered in the video, is adjusting the size of a block to make it piecing friendly.  So rather than cutting all the 1-7/8" squares, instead you can cut 2" squares for the block.

Double Cross 9 Patch Quilt using Tim Holtz Fabric

See the block and quilt drafting process in this weeks video.

I would love to see what you do with the fabrics (or the double cross block).  Feel free to share in the Learning EQ Facebook group.  I've set up a dedicated post for your designs.

ButtDouble Cross Meets Tim Holtz Learning EQ Facebook Post

Tech Know Quilter Month End Challenge

Enjoy seeing how Tech Know Quilter members stretch themselves to create new blocks and quilts using Electric Quilt 8.  

It is always fun seeing how they chose to take what they are learning in the classes to the next level.

Mary Groesbeck

Julie Pedersen Transportation Ocean Quilt

Zdenka Nemethova

Kristy Goodin Soard I finished My Snowy Owl quilt this month. The owls represent my daddy and me. Each time I walk into the room and see this quilt I am "transported" back in time to my childhood, when we were last together. Original pattern by Cakestand Quilts, I colored it in EQ.

Mary Groesbeck - Masters Dresden Plates Class

Edith Craig Here is my version of the Space quilt for the end of month challenge. Adding lettering adds to the overall look and reinforces the techniques from an earlier month's lessons.

Rhonda Goss

Fran Heisey I learned so much this month from Masters Award Winning Quilts and Kari's PolyDraw Wagon Wheels Tutorial. My quilt was inspired by the class I took, but I used techniques Kari presented in the tutorial.

Kristy Goodin Soard

Zdenka Nemethová This month I enjoyed Masters Class Inspired by Award Winning Quilts. Kari kindly reminds us of all the techniques we have already learned together with NEW ones. This is simply great, love your way of teaching, Kari ❤

Julie Pedersen I took the Masters Award winning Quilts class . Here is my adaptation of the Circling Sevenstar quilt.

Curryanne Hostetler I took the modern blocks and quilt. Then I recolored with Septembers free eq download.

Send me a note if you would like to join these amazing quilters and designers.

Learn More About Tech Know Quilters

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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