Introduction to EasyDraw versus EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes

5/1/2021

Have you received offers to join Tech Know Quilters -- but were hesitating as you weren't sure what you would learn each month? Tech Know Quilters is a training program that teaches you how to master Electric Quilt 8 -- from the comfort of your home.

Here is an opportunity to see the exact blocks and quilts you will draft during your second month of training.

During Month 2 of Tech Know Quilters, you are given a choice between two different drawing classes. The choice is up to you. If you are not currently in Tech Know Quilters, sign up for the wait list to receive emails during the next open enrollment period.

One of the things we all want to be able to do is either draw our own blocks or recreate blocks from patterns we own. Using Electric Quilt 8 allows us to audition fabrics or even swap out one piecing technique with another. EasyDraw is the most useful set of drawing tools in Electric Quilt, as most quilt blocks are designed based on square grids. It also is the method that is closest to working with pencil and graph paper.

Option 1 Introduction to EasyDraw

Many of the blocks and concepts in this option were covered in my EQ8 Drawing Blocks book. So if you did the exercises in that book, you may be better suited for Option 2.

Benefits:

Learn how to draft over 30 blocks using EasyDraw.
Learn how to identify the correct snap settings to eliminate those "missing lines" that can happen when the settings weren't quite right.
Learn how to import a picture of a quilt block -- which speeds up the drafting of blocks as all you need to do is trace lines and arcs.
Learn how to create your own personal variations of blocks with Serendipity.
All this with thirteen 5-10 minute videos plus supporting pdf tutorials delivered to your inbox. You pick the time that works for you to grow your Electric Quilt expertise.

In the reveal video, check out the agenda for the Introduction to EasyDraw class along with the blocks and quilts you will be designing.

If you prefer to get started now, this class may be purchased ahead of joining Tech Know Quilters.

Purchase Introduction to EasyDraw

Option 2: EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes

I've talked to a number of you who are fairly proficient in EasyDraw. Quite a few participated in my Easy Peasy EasyDraw class back in the EQ7 days and drew some amazing blocks and quilts as part of the class. While the look and feel of EQ8 is very different than EQ7, the Easy Draw tools are actually very much the same. They are just residing in some different places in the new program.

So for those of you who are Intermediate EasyDraw block drafters, I wanted to create a more advanced class that focused on EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes.

Benefits:

Learn to draft Kaleidoscope blocks based on an octagon grid (both on point and square octagons) as well as a hexagon grid.
Learn to identify snap options that work for these quilts based on a circular grid.
Learn how to to use striped fabric to create gorgeous kaleidoscopes.
Learn to turn log cabin blocks into hexagon motifs and then set those motifs in a custom set layout.

In the reveal video, check out the agenda for the EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes class along with the blocks and quilts you will be designing.

If you are on the fence between Introduction to EasyDraw and EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes, go back through the first video and see how many of those blocks you can draw on your own (with no guidance from me). If that was doable -- then you are definitely ready for EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes.

For those currently enrolled in Tech Know Quilters, you also have the option of taking both classes. If you wish to do that, make sure to send us a note so you can receive a discount coupon for the second class.

Tech Know Quilters March Showcase

Tech Know Quilter members shared how they applied the concepts from their March 2021 class.

Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training. At the end of their March class, they were encouraged to apply what they learned during the month of March.

Tech Know Quilters is open to new members only a few times a year. You can learn more and sign up for the wait list for the next open enrollment period here.

I love having people at different stages of the EQ journey submitting designs. I am so proud of this group of quilt designers.

Julie Pedersen This month I took the Masters collage class. We learned to use photos to make a collage and to use it as fabric. For this challenge, I used the "fabric" I created for the class and then 2 other shapes to create my "fabrics". The photos that I used were ones I had taken of flowers in my yard.

Julie Pedersen I love this spring quilt that I did for a challenge earlier this month using the same technique.

Mary Groesbeck Friends of mine lost their son last week, and I want to make a small wall hanging for them. Their house is really cool, with a lot of stark solids (modern). I took block 1273 from BB+ and have 2 at 10" and 2 at 9.5". Then I took block 1048 and modified it just a little because I wanted it symmetrical.

Rhonda Goss

Nancy Messuri This quilt was designed with skills I learned in the Master's Collage class.

Curryanne Hostetler -- Quilt sent off to quilter.

Curryanne Hostetler - Another quilt to the quilter.

Kristy Goodin Soard I took the Masters Fabric Collage class, and used the technique for creating fabric from lesson 4 Fabric Collage to create my own fabric for my sewing machine. I used only applique motifs to layer for my fabric. This quilt represents my preferred state of being....busy as a bee sewing!

Marijke Nieuwenhuijsen This month working with T Shirts and Panels. I'm making a quilt for a 4-years granddaughter. It's a very big panel but I found it not so good idea to do it in half. She recognized the dogs immediately.

Nancy Haddad Lacey This is my challenge from the Masters Collage Quilts class. I used the posiemaker to create the shape that I used for my collage fabric.

Joyce Drenth I decided to apply the master collage lesson of applying stitching lines onto a quilt. Since I viewed recent information about boho and sashiko stitching upon fabric in the Japanese culture, I thought I would create a simple patchwork with stitching accents to suggest these techniques. It is usually more densely stitched, but this gives the illusion nevertheless.

Dotty Smalley This quilt is not from a specific class, but I used many of the techniques that I have learned from Kari Schell to create it in EQ8 then I actually made it! It is one of my favorites. I call it Awesome Autumn.

Edith Craig I was in the Mix and Match Medallion Centers class for March. Per our discussion in the help session, I adapted the block with the 2 small and 1 large pieced sections to add a different patchwork block to each and then added borders to make a table runner sized quilt.

Dorothee Ilgner I was in the fabric collage class and combined a scrappy background with text and a photo for a small Easter themed quilt.

Elisa Welch Cossey-Brock I was so excited to create Modern Quilts. I love the old quilts but my heart is in the newer, brighter, different quilts. I very rarely follow the rules, sorry Kari.

Maureen Feron Pinwill I played and made another Sprng Mystery Quilt.

Dorothee Ilgner My little spring quilt has a collage background. It is inspired by a challenge (Pfearless Corona Pfighters) from the German Quilter Claudia Pfeil.

Learn More About Tech Know Quilters Here

Happy quilting.

Kari

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