Image Artwork Created using EQ8

Electric Quilt has a lot of features in the Image Worktable.  Many that aren't regularly used by quilters.  Until today!

My tutorial will share a few of those tools to create works of art. 

And they will all start with a block using EasyDraw with a series of slanted lines.

​Seriously -- just turn off snap to grid, snap to node and turn on snap to lines and arc.  Draw lines from one edge to another. 

​I did every other line to create wide strips alternating with narrow strips.  But that really isn't required.

To color I used the color tab (rather than fabrics).  I used adjoining colors of blue and light blue to color every other strip in the block.

Block Created in EasyDraw with series of slanted lines.

In the video, you will learn how to use Random Recolor (on the Quilt Worktable) to quickly recolor the block.

To convert the quilt designs to photos, select "Quilts" from the main menu.  Then select "Add to Sketchbook as Photo".

Results of Random Recolor (with a few modifications)

The real magic happens on the image worktable.  The image worktable isn't just for cropping and resizing fabric images.

Start by cropping the small white borders EQ puts around all its photos from quilts.

Modification 1

Select Special Effects>Effects>3D Effects.

Select the Cylindrical option.

​I chose the first option -- but pick whichever one speaks to you.

Cylindrical Distortion on the Image Worktable

Modification 2

Select Distort> Zoom Wave.  This is under Special Effects>Effects.

I selected the fourth option.

The distortion can add some background along the edges.   Select Stretch the Image (under Exposed Area) to eliminate that background.

Zoom Wave Distortion on the Image Worktable

Modification 3

Select Square Symmetry.

Select 2 x 2 Quad.

To change the selection box (in the center) use
Ctrl or Cmd plus a click in the center.

One click allows for resizing.  (Drag a corner out or in to resize.)

​Another click engages rotational mode.  (Drag a corner clockwise or counter-clockwise to rotate  the square.)

You can also position part of the block off the image.  EQ will add a background color.  In the video I will share how to change up that color.

Square Symmetry Option on the Image Worktable

Create the Quilt
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Select the quilt worktable, and set up a quilt.  You can decide the size and number of blocks.  I decided on a Layout of 2 horizontal and 1 vertical.

To give the impression of signed artwork, I decided to add a title along with my name to the quilt.  In the video I will walk you through the steps to complete this. 

The  typeface for text can be any font that is installed on your computer.  I chose the Armelya script which I had download from Creative Fabrica a few years ago.

Here is the quilt from the video.  I decided to call it Storm Warning.  For some reason I kept seeing  the wind and snow resulting in blizzard weather conditions.

Storm Warning Created by Kari Schell Using EQ8

Here is the quilt I did with the block created with colors (rathe than fabrics).  Which do you prefer?

Storm Warning with Colors (rather than fabrics) using EQ8

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See exactly how to create this design using EQ8 in the video tutorial.

I am looking forward to seeing what you do with this concept. 

Try using a different block. 

Or try exploring some of the other options on the quilt worktable. 

​Keep playing until you find something you like and create your own "artwork".

Learning EQ Facebook Post for Image Artwork Created using EQ8

Construction Thoughts

Note that Image designs cannot be pieced or appliqued -- unless you choose to redraft them as blocks. 

My thought was to print the designs on fabric. 

Consider changing the block size to 8" and print on EQ Printables. 

You would only need two blocks for your quilt.  Or crop the image to 1/4 of the block.  Resize to 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" and print eight of them.

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​Happy quilting.

​Kari

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