Expanding Beyond the Basics

Blog Highlights:

• Exploring New Possibilities from Old Blocks See some of the block adaptions created by participants in the Summer Flower Garden Challenge.
• See designs created by Tech Know Quilter Master Members when challenged to create a 6 pointed table topper.
• Drafting the Tiger Lily block EQ video
  
• Last chance to enroll in the Summer Flower Garden EQ8 Challenge

Why Should I Redraft a Block in EQ8?

We now have over 350 participants in the Summer Flower Garden Challenge -- many of who are sharing their designs in the Learning EQ Facebook group.

I have had a few participants question "why they should draft a block if it has already been drawn and is in an EQ library".   Maybe you have had a similar question.

Although some of the designs in the Summer Flower Garden Challenge are original designs, others are historic blocks.  The reason I included the variety of blocks is to allow us to explore different  techniques for drafting blocks using the EasyDraw tools.  Redrawing these blocks, helps our brain learn how to use the tools.  And it is often faster to redraw a block that find it in a library. 

I have been challenging more advanced participants to draft the block before watching my video, However, I then encourage them to watch the video to see if there is a new technique they can add to their arsenal in drafting their own blocks.

---

Last Chance - EQ8 Summer Flower Garden Challenge

What are EQ8 Users Learning from the Challenge?

Carol shared that she learned how to add nodes to make more complicated shapes in a matter of minutes.

Holly shared that one of the advantages of the class is learning the options available in EQ8 and trying options you never would have tried to use.

It is not too late.  This is the final weekend to be able to purchase the Summer Flower Garden challenge.   Sign up here.  

Last Chance - EQ8 Summer Flower Garden Challenge

Exploring New Possibilities from Old Blocks

Whether drafting blocks for the challenge, class, or even just for fun, the act of drawing the blocks allows our brain to take action.  Sometimes this is through a conscious decision to play the "what if" game and sometimes it is through a mistake that opens up new ideas.

As challenge participants moved to deepen their understanding of the concepts shared in the design challenge, numerous participants decided to take their designs to the next level.

Let me share some of their creative playtime here.  (The blocks they drafted are a variations of one of the blocks shown above.)

Pinwheel Flower

Helen Hicks Pinwheel in a pinwheel.

Joyce Drenth

Holly Wilson

Carmen Sidlaruk

Carmen Sidlaruk

Kristy Goodin Soard

Prairie Flower

Jeanna Grabuskie

Holly Urbain

Judy Oldenkamp Sawyer

Kathy Beeson

Louise Lott

Shirley Rosebrock

Water Lily

Carmen Sidlaruk

Barb Gardner Water Lily in a quilt. Take a close look at her blocks to see how she fussy cut the fabric.

Jeanna Grabuskie changed out the block to reflect a water lily on a lilypad.

Camille Lechliter

Sharon Kazel

Pansy Block

Camille Lechliter decides to take her pansy to a whole new level.

Camille Lechliter added an EQ8 Iris block with her Pansy block for a quilt.

Joyce Drenth designed a new center for her pansy.

Kathy Beesen also modified the center.

Dorothee Ilgner decided to piece her pansy block using some techniques from the TKQ from Design to Production class.

Cactus Flower Block

Evelyn Schirmbeck modified the Cactus flower block through use of Serendipity.

Barb Gardner added a border and binding to her Cactus flower block.

Sherri Cook added and deleted a few lines.

Rose Block

Kathy Beeson modified the rose by adding some squares. I would love to play with symmetry with this block.

Holly Urbain Rose

Lynette Lloyd Wilson rose

Combining Flower Blocks

Holy Urbain designed a table runner which combined the carnation, peony and pansy blocks.

Christel Frischmuth designed her first quilt using the blocks she drafted.

Charmaine Devaney combined her first six blocks in a quilt.

Julie Pedersen combined blocks 1-6.

Marlu Allan combined blocks 1-6.

Last Chance - EQ8 Summer Flower Garden Challenge Enrollment

Possibilities in a Six Pointed Table Topper

Those in Tech Know Quilter's Masters are more advanced Tech Know Quilter's members.  They receive exclusive Master's level classes every other month and are encouraged to work on their own projects and designs.  

This month they are working on Advanced Custom Set Designs.  They were encouraged to create a six pointed table topper quilt and populate it with their own blocks.

I hope you will be as inspired by their designs as I am.

Joyce Drenth

Nancy Messuri

Nancy Messuri

Wanda Hizer

Wanda Hizer

Dorothee Ilgner

Carolyn Block

Holly Wilson

Linda Carlson

Rick Danner

Carole Fox

Julie Pedersen

Kristy Goodin Soard

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins also created a number of quilting designs that she auditioned on one of her quilts.

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins

Pat Harkins

Tech Know Quilter's Masters is open to Tech Know Quilter members who have taken a minimum of 12 Tech Know Quilter's classes.  

Tech Know Quilter's opens for enrollment only a few times a year.  Sign up for the wait list to be informed the next time it opens.  (FYI --  the next open enrollment will be really soon.)

Summer Flower Garden Challenge - Block 12

Would you like to see a sample of what challenge participants are watching each day?

The Tiger Lily block will show you a way to draft this 9 patch based design as a 12 inch block.  

The Summer Flower Garden Challenge will be retired this week.  So this is your last chance to enroll and receive access to all the past videos.   

​Note:  Enrolled participants will always have access to their purchased material.

Last Chance - EQ8 Summer Flower Garden Challenge Enrollment

Happy quilting.

​Kari

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the  Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.