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Measuring SuccessMany of you know that when I am not quilting (or working with Electric Quilt) I enjoy frequenting the ice rinks. I am passionate about learning to skate -- almost as much as I am about Electric Quilt. Even though I am not naturally athletic, I love the challenges of learning something new at this stage in my life. Within the skating world, you can measure success through achievement of various milestones. The big milestones require testing in front of US Figuring Skating judges -- which can make a skater very nervous. This process inspired me to create a success path -- without the judges -- that you can use to measure your progress with Electric Quilt 8. Tech Know Quilters Success PathScroll to learn more about each of the five stages along with what Tech Know Quilters classes are the most beneficial at each stage. Stage 1 – Excited Beginner You purchased EQ8 and are excited (but may also feel overwhelmed) with all the options in this program. You are looking forward to taking advantage of all the program has to offer. Each of us after first purchasing the software find ourselves at this stage. We purchased the software because we knew we were creative, and wanted a way to express that creativity. However after opening the program and seeing all the icons and seeing all the different parts of the program, we may begin to wonder if we made a wise decision. It can be hard to tackle the now daunting prospect of figuring out how to do the simplest tasks.
Stage 2 – Traditional Design Mastery You have created some basic quilts using EQ8. Most of your designs utilize horizontal and on point layouts along with blocks and fabrics from the libraries. You are itching to tackle drafting blocks using EasyDraw and utilize alternate layouts to highlight your blocks. You are comfortable with navigating the program and using some of the basic features. However, when looking at pictures of quilts you are struggling with figuring out how to recreate the designs in EQ.
At this stage you are ready for Tech Know Quilters, my monthly membership program for Electric Quilt 8 users. There are a number of classes within the program geared to this stage of development including Working with Fabric Images, Introduction to EasyDraw, Mix and Match Medallion Centers and Mix and Match Medallion Borders, and Bargello Quilts. Each class provides additional insights about mastering this particular stage. (Some of these lessons will also cover more complex topics as well as those geared to Stage 2.) Through the Tech Know Quilters Private Facebook group and Help Sessions, you can also receive assistance in figuring out how to draft those scary blocks. Stage 3 - Special Grids and Applique Design Mastery You are comfortable with EasyDraw settings and tools and are ready to approach more complex blocks that don't work well in EasyDraw. You are also looking to explore more complex settings for these blocks. As you look at quilts in magazines, on Pinterest or at shows, you are more quickly seeing how they can be drawn in Electric Quilt. However you are identifying designs that won't work in EasyDraw or with the standard layouts. You are ready to extend your skills to PolyDraw, Applique and Custom Set.
There are a number of classes within the Tech Know Quilters program geared to this stage of development including EasyDraw Kaleidoscopes, Introduction to PolyDraw, Introduction to Applique, Hexagon Blocks and Settings, Optical Illusion Quilts, and T Shirt and Panel Quilts. Each class provides additional insights about mastering this particular stage. Stage 4 – Make Mine Original You have mastered the EQ8 toolkit and are ready to take your own designs and create original works using EQ8. At this stage, you no longer are satisfied with reproducing someone else's quilt or design. You are ready to begin creating original designs in Electric Quilt.
Typically Tech Know Quilters members at this stage are taking the lessons and challenging themselves to create an original design using the concepts from the lesson. They are regularly participating in design challenges within the program. Tech Know Quilters classes at this stage include Working with Fabric Images, Modern Quilts, and Foundation Patterns, T Shirt and Panel Quilts. Stage 5 – Sharing Your Art You have mastered using the design elements in EQ8 and are excited about sharing your love of quilting with others. You are ready to explore different ways of sharing your quilt designs which may include teaching, publishing patterns, entering your quilts made from your designs in shows, or sharing your EQ knowledge with others. During this phase, you are excited when others wish to recreate your original works of art or are asking your for the pattern. You enjoy assisting other Electric Quilt users and quilters in problem solving their designs and quilt projects.
You are now focused on how you can best communicate the designs you have created in Electric Quilt. You are recognizing that you may need to supplement your Electric Quilt work and are trying to figure out what other tools would be beneficial. Tech Know Quilter lessons on converting EQ designs to handouts and patterns are useful as you work on developing your pattern writing skills. These lessons will be incorporated into Tech Know Quilters series from Month 7 forward. During July, I will be releasing a complete copy of the Tech Know Quilters Success Path as well as checklists for each stage to all Tech Know Quilters members. New Designs from the Tech Know Quilters GroupI love seeing their work! The new class offering for July will be on Modern Quilts.
Check out and join the Tech Know Quilters program before the doors close on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Click here.
Marilyn Koestler
6/25/2018 04:28:42 pm
Kari, I have all the lessons from Tech Know Quilters copied and lessons moved to a folder so that when I regain my health and make a move I can work on learning EQ 8 better. I will be changing my e-mail address in July in hopes that I will not lose any lessons. I have used EQ 8 to design a couple of quilts and enjoy it. Thanks for all your expertise and knowledge to help others.
Kari Schell
6/25/2018 08:45:36 pm
It works the best to change your email at the beginning of the month. Otherwise we need to start you over on the email sequence for that month. I also will be sharing my thoughts on a way to save all your email links in a Word document. That will be part of an onboarding sequence coming out in July.
Deborah Neubauer
6/26/2018 10:36:41 am
I am anxious to see how you will suggest saving your links to Word. I usually just copy the email and paste into Word or I just copy the link and paste and then insert a hyperlink. I also save my emails to an external drive. I also love the idea of a check list for measuring success. I have really enjoyed your lessons and want to continue learning as much as I can. Thanks for being such a great teacher and an inspiration to all. Comments are closed.
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Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. 
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