Shamrocks

.Over the years I have done a number of Shamrock quilts.  I tend to keep them small -- which works for some decorating around St. Patrick's Day.

These three were compiled in a pattern I released in 2017.  You can purchase a digital version of the pattern here for $10.  

48" x 72" Irish Eyes Lap Quilt

21" x 21" Irish Eyes Wall Quilt

8" x 20" Irish Eyes Table Runner

Here is a quilt with digital designs -- suitable for both longarm and embroidery systems.  The Shamrock Mini-Digital bundle is on sale for $15.

Here is my latest desktop design on my computer (from the Tech Know Quilter Calendar Quilts class.

Shamrock Quilt Created for TKQ Calendar Quilt class

Shamrock Block and Quilts - EQ8 Tutorial

In my free tutorial this week, I will be sharing a new design.  This one would be super simple to piece (and quilt in a day). 

My one rule I gave myself for designing the quilt -- was only squares, rectangles, and triangles that are considered either half-square (two triangles per square) or quarter square (four triangles per square).

Here is the shamrock block I came up with.

I started by drawing the sashing and then drew the upper left corner.  Clone and rotate for the remaining corners.  

8" Shamrock Block Designed in EQ8 by Kari Schell

Note that I could have added a few additional lines (the red lines added to the image on the right) to replace the rectangle units with a square and a half square triangle unit. 

One of the plusses of EQ8 is that we get to decide how we want to piece the block and can modify the design accordingly.

Potential Modifications to the Shamrock Block

I ended up playing with two different quilt designs -- an on point version and a horizontal version.  I think you will like my suggestion in the video on copying the borders from one layout to another.

The on point layout has a finished size of 42-1/2" x 20".

The horizontal layout has a finished size of 35" x 17".

I am curious which of the layouts you prefer.

Shamrocks On Point Layout by Kari Schell Drawn in EQ8

Horizontal Shamrock Quilt Drafted in EQ8 by Kari Schell

One quick trick -- if you see those white seam lines on your image when exporting, try bringing the DPI up to 600.  It will often eliminate those faint light lines.

Here is the video where I will walk you through creation of the block along with both quilts.

I think this would be a fantastic layout for more than just the shamrock block.  Go ahead and experiment with another block -- either one you drew or a block from the EQ library.  Share your designs in the Learning EQ Facebook post.  I've set up a separate post for your designs.

Learning EQ Facebook Post for Shamrock Block and Quilts

EQ8 Modern Quilts Class -- March Special Opportunity

Would you like to take this class?  I've decided to offer it as a stand alone class available for purchase during March 2023.  The class is considered an Advanced Beginner class -- which means you have some experience in working in EasyDraw and have created some basic quilt layouts.

The Modern Quilt Guild notes that Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting

Join me as we create our own modern quilts using EQ8 -- including a collection of quilts from a spiral square, improvisational designs (including a Gees Bend Challenge), fractured quilts, 3D quilts, and spiral art.

The stand alone EQ8 Modern Quilts class is only available for purchase during March 2023. 

It will be delivered over four weeks, starting with your date of purchase. 

For those desiring support as you go through the class, I've set up a private Facebook group which provides a vehicle for me to answer any of your questions as you go through the class.

The class retails at $60.  But it will be offered at the sale price of $49.99 during March 2023.

Purchase the Modern Quilts Class for $49.99 (regularly $60)

Current Tech Know Quilter members, please contact me if your wish to take this as an add-on class in March.  The class currently exists in TKQ and there are added discounts for current TKQ members.

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Happy quilting.

​Kari

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