How Many Ways Can you Braid a Quilt?

A special welcome to the visitors from Seams Like a Dream.  I hope you enjoy my Electric Quilt tutorial along with the wonderful braid quilts you may create.  

I have a passion for sharing my love of quilt design with you and offer both online and in person classes along with private coaching to assist you in designing your dream quilts.

My friend Kate Colleran of Seams Like a Dream recently shared a tutorial on her website on using this really cool braid-making tool.  I wouldn't be surprised to find Kate's best selling book, Smash your Precut Stash book in your library. 

After watching the video and looking at her tutorials, I decided that I wanted to be able to play with a braid block in Electric Quilt.  For this block I wanted to be able to use either 1-1/2" strips (sometimes called Honey Buns) or 2-1/2" strips (sometimes called Jelly Rolls).

I also wanted the design to be tessellating.  What is a tessellation?  It is a shape that is repeated over and over again without any gaps.  This would allow be to set my blocks together in a row that looks like it was designed as a single block.

See how I designed my pre-cut friendly braid blocks in this week's Electric Quilt video tutorial.

Then hop over to Kate's blog and see how her ruler works.  She also has a special sale for the next week on her ruler.  So take advantage of it, while you are there.

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Block and Setting Ideas

I just couldn't stop playing with this block.  Here are a few of the braids I designed, plus the proposed setting.

For those that own either EQ7 or EQ Stitch, I would like to offer a download of all my braid projects.  For the next two weeks the download is free.  Just click here.  (At the end of two weeks the cost is $9.99.)

Horizontal 4 x 5 Layout

Braid designed with 5 x 5 braid.  Block (sized at 7" x 7") made with 1-1/2 inch strips.

Vertical Strip Quilt

Braid designed with 5 x 5 braid.  Block (sized at 14" x 14") made with 2-1/2 inch strips.

Horizontal Strip Quilt

Braid designed with 4 x 20 braid.  Block (sized at 11.2" x 56") made with 2-1/2 inch strips.

Block Design Settings

Horizontal Strip Quilt Settings

Horizontal Layout with Sashing

Braid designed with 6 x 6 braid.  Block (sized at 8.4" x 8.4") made with 1-1/2 inch strips.

Horizontal Layout Serendipity

Braid designed with 4 x 4 braid.  Blocks were sized at either 5.6" (made with 1-1/2 inch strips) or 11.2" (made with 2-1/2 inch strips).  For this layout I played with the Serendipity option to find different block rotations.

Upcoming Classes

EQ Academy - Last Chance to Register

Three day in person, instructor-led workshop allowing participants to deep dive into the Electric Quilt subject of their choice.  I will be teaching the drawing tools and participants will become proficient in:

• Easy Draw blocks
• Paper Piecing blocks
• Applique
• Pieced PatchDraw tools (including hexagons, pentagons, LeMoyne stars plus variations, Dresdan plates)

I will also include layouts to complement each of the blocks! 

You will be amazed at how much you can learn in this concentrated setting away from life's distractions.

Cost:  $300  

​Learn more here.

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Introduction to Electric Quilt 7
​Instructor Led Online Class

Learn the basics of Electric Quilt in the comfort of your own home.

This online class will cover basic navigation of the software, creating a new project, using the libraries, using Quick Quilts for fast projects, adding borders, coloring tools/fabrics, creating quilt labels and printing quilts, blocks, fabric yardage estimates, rotary cutting and foundation patterns.  By the end of class you will be comfortable working with the program and be able to explore additional features on your own.    Users of all levels are welcome, with special emphasis on beginners.

Dates:  May 4, 11, 18, 25 (four weeks) from 7-8:30

Class size will be limited to 8 participants.  Seats are available on a first come first serve basis.  This class will be exactly like taking at "in person" class at a show or shop.   We will use screen sharing technology -- so you will be able to see my screen and if you have specific questions, I will also be able to view yours as well.

Early Sign-Up Bonus:  As a special bonus, if you sign up April 27, 2017 you will be entitled to  a private 20 minute coaching call with Kari that may be used any time during the course of the class.  Use it for extra help on a topic or to pick Kari's brain on something you wish to do in Electric Quilt.  (Value:  $60)

Cost:  $100

Register now!

MN Quilt Show - Duluth

I am very excited to be teaching at the MN Quilt Show in Duluth. Duluth in June is absolutely gorgeous and a great place with lots of things to do (for the non-quilter in the family).  And MN Quilters always has a fabulous show.  

To learn more about any of my classes (detailed below) or the show in general, check out the Minnesota Quilt Show website.

Art and Stitch - Thread Art  Wednesday, June 7

Never be limited to purchased designs again. Art and Stitch will allow you to finally translate your creativity to beautiful designs. Learn how to use this powerful digitizing software by creating a series of string art designs that are suitable for both computerized long arm and embroidery machines. Not sure if digitizing is for you? You can download a trial version of Art and Stitch that can be used in class. You will be able to do all the exercises with the trial version (but will be unable to save them). Level: Beginner

Mystery Quilt - Thursday , June 8

Have you always wanted to solve a good mystery?  Or maybe you enjoy  the suspense of a book or movie where you don't know the outcome until the end. 

This mystery event will have you working through clues throughout the day as you guess the pattern that I have designed just for MN Quilters.  There will be lots of clues throughout the event -- that will hopefully keep you guessing unti the end.

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Introduction to Easy Draw (an Electric Quilt Class) - Thursday Evening, June 8

​Have you ever found the “perfect” block online.  But then realized you wanted to piece it a different way.  Maybe you want rotary cutting instructions or a foundation pattern.  Or maybe you want a different size to incorporate into a different quilt. 

With Electric Quilt you can redraft these blocks.  This class will focus on how to “read a block” and then come up with the most efficient way to draft it with Electric Quilt. 

​The blocks in this class are those that can be done in a “grid” format – basically just like drawing with a pencil and graph paper.  Within Electric Quilt these blocks are drafted within Easy Draw. 

​Level:  Advanced Beginner.

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Electric Quilt T Shirt Quilts - Friday morning, June 9

Are you afraid to cut into a bundle of T Shirts? Take away that fear by designing your quilt before you make your first cut.

Three different layouts will be covered along with tips on auditioning your T Shirts in Electric Quilt. One of those layouts will incorporate using pieces and different size T Shirts (think Custom Set).  
​Level:  Intermediate

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Working Through Quilting Design Paralysis – How I Choose to Quilt My Tops Lecture - Friday 2:00, June 9

Introduction to Electric Quilt 7 - Saturday, June 10

This class will cover basic navigation of the software, creating a new project, using the libraries, using Quick Quilts for fast projects, adding borders, coloring tools/fabrics, creating quilt labels and printing quilts, blocks, fabric yardage estimates, rotary cutting and foundation patterns.  By the end of class you will be comfortable working with the program and be able to explore additional features on your own.    Users of all levels are welcome, with special emphasis on beginners.  ​

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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