It is cold and rainy in Minnesota. So no visiting the ducks at the nearby creek. Instead I decided to make my own ducks -- using Electric Quilt 8. These will be super simple to foundation piece. And are even charm friendly. And I even have free foundations for you to use to create your own blocks.
Mama Duck Tracing Image
I was debating providing the tracing image. But for those trying to match my design exactly, it is the easiest way to ensure success. It is also easier for me to be consistent between a "recorded" design and the original design.
In the video, I share drafting the Mama Duck block which is 4" finished and the Baby Duck block which is also 4" finished.
I am curious how you would use these blocks in a quilt? I also have an idea -- but I am saving it for next week.
Share your suggestions for a quilt using these ducks in the Learning EQ Facebook group post. Or post a picture of your ducks using a favorite fabric. Free Foundation Patterns for the Mama and Baby Ducks
Click on the photo the access and download the free pdfs for each of the foundations. Note that the foundations should measure 4-1/2 x 4-1/2 with seam allowances and 4 x 4 without the seam allowances.
I figured out that the bodies of the ducks could be cut from 5" charm squares. However there isn't a lot of excess fabric after accounting for the 1/4 seam allowances (particularly for the Mama duck). So keep that in mind if using charms for your project.
Constructing the Beak and Eye
I decided to use a folded fabric piece for the beak as I think it is less work than foundation piecing it.
If you wish to include the beak in the regular foundation piecing, I suggest drawing it on the EasyDraw tab. This would result in 2 foundation sections rather than one. The beauty of drafting in EQ is we get to pick our favorite construction techniques. For constructing the beaks, I started with a 1-1/2" fabric square. Folded it in half on the diagonal. Then folded the two folded edges in toward the center. The amount of the fold was dictated by the size of the beak. Before ironing the final piece of the foundation, I would flip the seam as it will lay much better if pressed toward the duck.
For the eyes you could use a small button. Or embroider or applique a small circle. The size is a around 1/4" -- so it is pretty small.
Mary M Towns
4/22/2023 11:01:24 am
Kari - Love your quick videos. I don't use my EQ8 often enough to stay fresh on the commands, so your tutorials are nice reminders of how to do various steps. I need to reviews some past ones, I'm looking for hints for a drunkard's path block. Thank you.
Karen Neal
4/22/2023 11:50:24 am
Thank you!
Sue S
4/23/2023 12:35:57 pm
Years ago, I made a similar pattern, using flip corners instead of paper foundations. I used the same folded beak technique which worked well
Jackie Tucker
4/23/2023 10:59:20 pm
Love the Ducky. Great pattern for baby quilts.
Gail Kling
4/30/2023 05:21:44 am
Great tutorial! Love the baby quilt and fabrics.
Beth Ennis
4/30/2023 05:31:51 pm
Hi Kari! I loved this project. Thank you so very much for all you do for free for those of us who don't have the extra money to join your tech class. Do you by any chance have image blocks for trains and/or boats? I have 2 great-nephews to make quilts for and this would really be perfect with trains and boats instead of ducks. If you don't, do you create your own or do you go elsewhere to find them?
Kari Schell
5/2/2023 09:49:57 pm
In the Electric Quilt library they have a large collection of blocks. Try starting there. If they don't have a block, I will often take an applique block and redraft it to be foundation piecing friendly. This is something we do in the Foundation Blocks class in Tech Know Quilters. Comments are closed.
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