Lucky Shamrocks Quilt

Learn my best tips for merging blocks in Electric Quilt as you learn how to create a Shamrock block and merge it into a frame and then merge both the original shamrock and the framed shamrock into a new block. 

​Use the blocks in a simple layout for your next St. Patrick's Day celebration.​

Lucky Shamrocks Quilt EQ8 Tutorial

I reworked the Shamrock block from one of my patterns and will be sharing not only the drafting of the block, but a number of variations.

Shamrock Block 1

The three leaves are very conducive to rotary cutting instructions (all squares and half square triangle units).

The stem has a couple of piecing options.  

1. Foundation piece the unit.
2. Add the background pieces along with the little notch as cheater corners (sometimes referred to as folded corners) to the stem unit. 

Option 2 will take a little bit of simple math since EQ does not consider these pieces rotary cutting friendly.

Draft the block using EasyDraw.  Set the block width and height at 6 inches and the snaps at 24 x 24.

​Draw the upper left corner.  Copy, paste and rotate for the upper right and lower left corners.

Shamrock Block Created by Kari Schell using EQ8

Shamrock Block 2

Using EasyDraw, create a simple frame.  Start with a six inch block and add horizontal and vertical lines one inch from the edges.  The square in the center will be 4" finished.  

​Then merge the frame block with the shamrock block. 

Tip:  Consider making the frame 3/4" on all four sides.   Then the shamrock will be 9" x 9" in the 12" version of the block.  Since the block is based on a 6 x 6 grid, the 9" size will be much more conducive to rotary cutting.

Lucky Shamrock Frame

Lucky Shamrock Framed Block 12 inch

Shamrock Block 3

Then create a nine patch block with 9 half square triangle units in the four corners.  This will be the master block that will be used for merging.  

In my video, I share my ninja trick for using a 9-patch block for merging. 

​(EQ considers the space too small for merging.  So it involves just a bit more work on our part to trick EQ into getting the blocks merged.)

Lucky Shamrock Setting Block for Merging

Check out the full video.

Lucky Shamrock Single Merged Block (with binding). Block measures 36" x 36".

If you are more ambitious, consider combining four of the blocks in a two by two layout for a bed sized quilt.

Lucky Shamrock Quilt in 2 x 2 Layout. Ending size of 94" x 94".

How will you celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year?

​Share your Lucky Shamrock quilt -- or another favorite St. Patrick's Day quilt on the Learning EQ Facebook group.

Learning EQ Facebook Group Lucky Shamrock Post

Happy quilting.

​Kari

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