|
Last week, I shared how to create a quilt where sashing is the star. The sashing in that quilt was done with just squares and rectangles.
This week, I decided to focus on a different set of sashing blocks in the EQ8 Block Library.
Under Star Sashing, I found 28 different star point blocks suitable for sashing spaces in a quilt. As I went through each of the blocks, I discovered a number of different sub-categories within this group.
Here is an example of each used in a quilt.
I also created two variations of the design that allowed me to carry the design into the borders. These are actually just half blocks.
To carry the sashing pieces into the borders, I needed to use Layer 2 on the quilt worktable.
Tip: When overlaying blocks on Layer 2, make sure to delete the "hidden" fabric on Layer 1 to avoid incorrect fabric yardage. Hidden fabrics are still included in fabric yardage calculations.
Here is the quilt from the video.
Wonky Star Sashing Quilt by Kari Schell
What star sashing block will you chose to work with for your sashing quilt? I look forward to seeing your design. Designs can be shared in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.
0 Comments
The last category (and I suspect the least used) set of blocks in the Electric Quilt library is "sashing". Let's face it, sashing is typically not the "star" in a quilt.
I decided to see if I could change that. I challenged myself to design a quilt around the sashing.
Quilt Layout
Quilt #1 - Sashing Only
Quilts #2 and #3 - Sashing Recolored
Quilt #4 - Add a Primary Block
What happens if you create a block to complement the sashing.
Here is the block and the revised quilt.
Quilt #5 - Revise the Sashing
What happens if you carry the blue band from the primary block into the sashing?
Here is the block and adjusted quilt.
Quilt #6 Add Applique to the Primary Block
For the final variation, I added applique to the primary block. And then decided to go with two different colorings of the primary block.
No problem if you didn't set up the initial block us as a combination Easy Plus Applique block. I will show you my trick for getting that applique adding to your block.
Check out the process for creating all six quilts using Electric Quilt 8.
Feel free to use my tutorial to redrafting these quilts in Electric Quilt8.
Or if you would like to challenge yourself, select a different Sashing Block from the EQ Library. L look forward to seeing your quilts. Feel free to sharing in the Learning EQ Facebook Group.
At that time, EQ6 was the current version.
I enjoyed drafting some of the quilts shared during our meetings. I also began experimenting with writing simple patterns for my designs. The only software used with Electric Quilt 6 and Word. I didn't charge for my patterns, but shared them with the Jo's Little Women's group.
The quilt I am sharing today is from one of those designs..
Using EQ8, I will walk you through the process of drafting the block and playing with Symmetry on the quilt worktable for a variety of quilt options. I will also share with you my pattern (from 2009). Just to show you that you don't need a lot of extra software to get starting writing your own patterns. Drafting the Miniature Antique Blues Quilt
Here were the Symmetry versions I chose to save.
I decided on Option 3 for my pieced quilt. Which one do you prefer?
Here is the video.
You could also create a different variation by changing the coloring of the quilt. I look forward to seeing what you do with the block.
Please share photos on the Learning EQ Facebook group. Miniature Antique Blues Pattern
The pattern is pretty basic -- but it does provide instructions for piecing the Miniature Antique Blues quilt.
I hope this serves as encouragement for those that want to write their own patterns. Just get started and use software that you already know how to use. This pattern was never sold -- but was provided to those in a quilt group I participated in. 
Here was my pieced miniature quilt.
Miniature Antique Blues by Kari Schell
Favorite Tech Know Quilter Projects
Here are some recently completed EQ8 projects from Tech Know Quilter members.
Tech Know Quilters is a membership of Electric Quilt 8 owners who are mastering Electric Quilt through online training. At the end of each month, they were encouraged to apply what they learned and to share a favorite quilt or picture. If you are interested in joining Tech Know Quilters, please send me a note. 
Curryanne Hostetler This is a quilt I designed for the May EQ challenge. I designed a nine patch with large center which I merged a star.
Julie Pedersen I took the Masters Miniature Quilts class. I adapted blocks from the lessons and set them in an on point quilt. One of our lessons was for a basket quilt. I modified a basket and some of our star blocks to create this bright beauty.
Mary Groesbeck got through my Facebook Mystery Quilt-Along for people who love paper-piecing and cats. The most important thing I learned was to get more "backup" files. The very last block was in a corrupt file (copying it to a back-up would not have helped). Then the technical problems started. But we got through it. Here's the final design, which was released once a week for 12 weeks. The blocks they showed me were magnificent.
Zdenka Nemethova - This one was my favourite in April Masters Miniature Quilts class.
Tech Know Quilters Masters Miniature Quilts Showcase
The class for more advanced (Masters) members in March was Miniature Quilts.
The American Quilt Study group hosts a Biennial Quilt Study for its members. They note “It is a great way to combine the creativity of quilt making with learning about a particular quilt, its maker (if known), style, and technique.” The selected reproduction quilts become part of a traveling exhibit hosted a museums around the country. I went to an exhibit of Star quilts when it was in Minnesota and was completely enthralled with the miniature quilt collection along with being able to look at pictures of the original quilt to see their inspiration. For this miniatures series, I decided to take their seven topics, and challenged the Masters members to draft a miniature from our selected inspiration quilt. Here were some of the student projects from the series.
For most, Memorial Day is start of summer. The long weekend a perfect time to get away with friends and family.
However, Memorial Day is a reminder of those who served our country and gave their lives for our freedom. For many it is a chance to honor those who are no longer here. The holiday's origins can be traced back to the American Civil war. It was originally called Decoration day as the war graves were decorated with flowers, flags and wreaths. Memorial Day decorations typically involve patriotic colors, flags and symbols of remembrance. When designing the Memorial Day quilt, I tried to incorporate the spirit of the original Memorial Day/Decoration Day. EQ8 Made Easy Start of Summer Sale
Does your schedule get less hectic in the summer? Or maybe you need a little me time after taking care of family all day. Classes are designed to work with your schedule. This a great time to learn Electric Quilt 8.
Use coupon code 2025MEMORIAL when you enroll now. Choose a start date of June 2, 2025 or July 2, 2025. Coupon good through May 30, 2025. Memorial Day Memories Quilt EQ8 Tutorial
I decided to add a floral wreath along with a silhouette of an eagle on top of the flag. (Consider using a different background block for a variation of the design.)
To keep things simple, the wreath and eagle blocks were obtained from the EQ8 block library.
The eagle motif was found in 06 Motifs>Folk Motifs. Blocks included in Motifs category do not have a background. Because the design is a silhouette it was simple to recolor.
For the pieced border, I went with an auto-border. I selected Picket Border 12 from the Picket style. I loved that it carried the striped theme from the flag.
One of the plusses of using an auto-border is it also provides a coordinating corner. EQ decided to pair the picket block with an attic window corner.
Check out how to create the blocks and quilt in this short video.
Here is the quilt from the video.
Memorial Day Memories Created in EQ by Kari Schell
I know there are many in my audience that are not from the US. What do you do to honor those who have died in service for your country? How would you modify the design to reflect your customs and traditions?
Share your designs in the Learning EQ Facebook group.
Do you sometimes find that you are over thinking your quilt design? Quilt designing does not need to be difficult -- particularly if you own Electric Quilt 8.
The quilt you will be learning to draft this week is super versatile. I started with 3 simple to piece asymmetrical blocks from the Electric Quilt block library. For those of you that purchased Block Base Plus, you could also pick your blocks from there. The blocks I chose to work with were a log cabin, simple basket and flower basket. These blocks would be super easy to either rotary cut or to foundation piece and don't have a lot of pieces.
The magic comes in the layout. The layout I chose to work with is the first hexagonal option in the EQ Layout Library (under Layouts by Style).
Within Electric Quilt you can put any square block in a diamond space and your block is now a diamond block. Or if you place it in one of the equilateral triangles, it will cut off half the block and it is now an equilateral triangle block. You can even kept things simple when coloring the quilt -- choosing to work with colors rather than fabrics (giving the quilt a very modern vibe). This is a super quick video and one that you will find very easy to replicate. However if you are up for flexing your designing muscles, consider swapping out the blocks and the layout.
Here is the hexagon quilt from the video.
Easy Hexagon Design by Kari Schell using EQ8
I would love to see what you do with this concept. Feel free to share in the Learning EQ Facebook group. I've set up a post for you to include your designs.
|
Free guide available for newsletter subscribers
Kari SchellElectric Quilt Expert and Educator and Pattern Designer. Categories
All
Archives
June 2025
|
RSS Feed