Design Stunning 3D Quilts with Optical Illusions in EQ8
Have you ever admired a quilt that seemed to twist, weave, spin, or leap right off the surface?
Optical illusion quilts use color, value, geometry, and careful placement to fool the eye into seeing depth and movement. While these quilts often look incredibly complicated, they're much easier to design when you understand the techniques—and when you have Electric Quilt 8 working for you.
In Optical Illusions with EQ8, you'll learn how to draft a variety of optical illusion blocks, experiment with color before cutting fabric, and build quilts that look far more difficult than they really are.
Whether you want to create woven ribbons, impossible triangles, spinning circles, or dimensional cubes, this class will show you how to make EQ8 do the hard work.
Optical illusion quilts use color, value, geometry, and careful placement to fool the eye into seeing depth and movement. While these quilts often look incredibly complicated, they're much easier to design when you understand the techniques—and when you have Electric Quilt 8 working for you.
In Optical Illusions with EQ8, you'll learn how to draft a variety of optical illusion blocks, experiment with color before cutting fabric, and build quilts that look far more difficult than they really are.
Whether you want to create woven ribbons, impossible triangles, spinning circles, or dimensional cubes, this class will show you how to make EQ8 do the hard work.
Just Imagine...
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Imagine confidently designing quilts that appear three-dimensional.
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Imagine using EQ8 to test colors and fabrics until the illusion is exactly what you envisioned.
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Imagine creating quilts that look incredibly complex while remaining practical to piece.
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Imagine taking a simple concept and transforming it into your own one-of-a-kind design.
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That's exactly what this class is designed to help you do.
Ready to design quilts that make people look twice? Join the Optical Illusions with EQ8 Class |
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See What Previous Students Created
This class was originally offered inside the Tech Know Quilters Membership. Here are just a few of the original designs students created after learning the techniques.
Meet Your Instructor
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Hi, I'm Kari Schell
I'm an award-winning quilter, pattern designer, EQ8 educator, and author of EQ8 Drawing Blocks, published by The Electric Quilt Company. For more than two decades I've helped thousands of quilters become confident using Electric Quilt software. My goal has never been simply teaching which buttons to click. I teach you how to think like a quilt designer. My classes break complicated concepts into small, manageable lessons so you can spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time creating quilts that are uniquely your own. |
What You'll Learn
This is much more than a drawing class.
You'll discover how color, value, geometry, and layout work together to create convincing optical illusions.
During the course you'll design projects featuring:
Each module builds on the previous lessons while encouraging you to experiment and develop your own creative variations.
This is much more than a drawing class.
You'll discover how color, value, geometry, and layout work together to create convincing optical illusions.
During the course you'll design projects featuring:
- Attic Windows — the classic gateway into 3D quilt design
- Shadow Boxes & Shadow Stars — adding instant depth
- Overlapping Ribbons — creating woven illusions
- Dimensional Cubes — building realistic three-dimensional blocks
- Quilt from Block Layouts — transforming a single block into an entire quilt
- Spinning Circles — manipulating nodes to create movement
- Impossible Triangles — recreating one of the world's most famous optical illusions
Each module builds on the previous lessons while encouraging you to experiment and develop your own creative variations.
What’s Included
Your enrollment includes:
Your enrollment includes:
- 12 step-by-step video lessons
- Lessons delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday over four weeks
- Short, focused videos (approximately 10 minutes each)
- Fully illustrated PDF tutorials
- Creative design challenges
- Permanent access to every lesson
- Private Facebook community for questions and inspiration
How the Class Works
1. Register
Reserve your spot today.
Reserve your spot today.
2. Receive Your Lessons
Beginning August 3 2026, you'll receive three lessons each week by email.
Each lesson includes:
Beginning August 3 2026, you'll receive three lessons each week by email.
Each lesson includes:
- A concise instructional video
- A downloadable written tutorial
- Step-by-step quilt and block instructions
- Creative challenges and exploration ideas
3. Design in EQ8
Follow along inside Electric Quilt 8 as you build each project.
Experiment with colors, fabrics, layouts, and variations before cutting fabric.
Follow along inside Electric Quilt 8 as you build each project.
Experiment with colors, fabrics, layouts, and variations before cutting fabric.
4. Share Your Progress
Join the private Facebook group to:
Join the private Facebook group to:
- Ask questions
- Share your designs
- Receive encouragement
- See how other students interpret each lesson
Course Curriculum
Module 1: Attic Windows
Create the classic optical illusion quilt that introduced generations of quilters to three-dimensional design.
You'll learn to:
Creative Challenge:
Merge your Attic Window block with a favorite star block to create a completely original quilt.
Create the classic optical illusion quilt that introduced generations of quilters to three-dimensional design.
You'll learn to:
- Build Attic Window blocks with Serendipity
- Create complete quilt layouts
- Modify sashings and cornerstones
- Combine window blocks with other block designs
Creative Challenge:
Merge your Attic Window block with a favorite star block to create a completely original quilt.
Module 2: Shadows
Discover how shadows instantly create the illusion of depth.
Lessons include:
You'll also learn layout tricks that eliminate inset seams while creating Layer Cake friendly designs.
Discover how shadows instantly create the illusion of depth.
Lessons include:
- Shadow Boxes
- Custom Set Shadow Quilts
- Shadow Stars
You'll also learn layout tricks that eliminate inset seams while creating Layer Cake friendly designs.
Module 3: Overlapping Ribbons
Learn how careful drafting and coloring create woven ribbon effects.
Experiment with:
Learn how careful drafting and coloring create woven ribbon effects.
Experiment with:
- Arc construction
- Node placement
- Circle divisions
- Endless coloring possibilities
Module 4: Cubes
Take your designs into the third dimension.
You'll create:
Take your designs into the third dimension.
You'll create:
- Appliqué cubes
- Pieced cube blocks
- Baby Block layouts
- Hollow cubes
- Three-dimensional wall variations
Module 5: Quilt from Block
Turn a single optical illusion block into an entirely new quilt layout.
Experiment with replacing blocks and discovering fresh design possibilities.
Turn a single optical illusion block into an entirely new quilt layout.
Experiment with replacing blocks and discovering fresh design possibilities.
Module 6: Spinning Circles
Learn how simple node manipulation can create dramatic movement and depth inside circular designs.
Learn how simple node manipulation can create dramatic movement and depth inside circular designs.
Module 7: Impossible Triangle
One of the world's most famous optical illusions becomes surprisingly achievable with EQ8.
You'll learn to:
One of the world's most famous optical illusions becomes surprisingly achievable with EQ8.
You'll learn to:
- Draft multiple impossible triangle blocks
- Create border treatments
- Design a complete quilt around this fascinating illusion
Class Investment
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Regular Price: $73
Early Registration: $53 Save $20 when you register by July 31, 2026. |
Who This Class Is For
This class is perfect if you:
This class is perfect if you:
- Already own Electric Quilt 8
- Know the basics of EQ8 navigation
- Have some experience in working in the EasyDraw and Applique Worktables of EQ8
- Want to design quilts instead of simply following patterns
- Enjoy experimenting with blocks and layouts
- Love creative problem-solving
- Want to build confidence designing original quilts
Supplies
- EQ8 software
- Basic computer skills
- Optional printer
- Optional Facebook account
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter if I use a Mac or PC?
No. Electric Quilt 8 functions essentially the same on both platforms.
Do I need Electric Quilt 8?
Yes. Every lesson is taught using EQ8.
Are the lessons live?
The instructional lessons are pre-recorded so you can learn whenever it fits your schedule.
How long will I have access?
Forever.
Is this beginner friendly?
Students should already understand the basics of EQ8. This class builds upon those skills.
Can I work at my own pace?
Absolutely.
How will I access the lessons?
Each lesson arrives by email with links to both the video and the written tutorial.
Are the videos downloadable?
No. However, you will have ongoing access and can pause or rewatch as often as needed. Videos are close-captioned.
What if I don’t receive an email?
First check your spam or junk folder. Add [email protected] to your address book to reduce issues. If needed, contact [email protected] for assistance.
Does it matter if I use a Mac or PC?
No. Electric Quilt 8 functions essentially the same on both platforms.
Do I need Electric Quilt 8?
Yes. Every lesson is taught using EQ8.
Are the lessons live?
The instructional lessons are pre-recorded so you can learn whenever it fits your schedule.
How long will I have access?
Forever.
Is this beginner friendly?
Students should already understand the basics of EQ8. This class builds upon those skills.
Can I work at my own pace?
Absolutely.
How will I access the lessons?
Each lesson arrives by email with links to both the video and the written tutorial.
Are the videos downloadable?
No. However, you will have ongoing access and can pause or rewatch as often as needed. Videos are close-captioned.
What if I don’t receive an email?
First check your spam or junk folder. Add [email protected] to your address book to reduce issues. If needed, contact [email protected] for assistance.
Ready to Design Quilts That Fool the Eye?
Stop wondering whether an optical illusion quilt will work.
Use EQ8 to experiment, audition fabrics, refine layouts, and perfect your designs before cutting a single piece of fabric.
By the end of this class, you'll understand the principles behind optical illusion quilts and have the confidence to create your own unique designs that appear to twist, weave, spin, and leap right off the quilt.
Enroll today and start designing your own optical illusion quilts with EQ8.
Enroll Today
Regular Price: $73
Special Early Registration Price: $53
Save $20 when you register by July 31, 2026.
Class begins August 3, 2026, with lessons delivered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for four weeks.
Join us and discover how much creative potential is hiding inside those pre-cuts you've been saving for the perfect project.
Stop wondering whether an optical illusion quilt will work.
Use EQ8 to experiment, audition fabrics, refine layouts, and perfect your designs before cutting a single piece of fabric.
By the end of this class, you'll understand the principles behind optical illusion quilts and have the confidence to create your own unique designs that appear to twist, weave, spin, and leap right off the quilt.
Enroll today and start designing your own optical illusion quilts with EQ8.
Enroll Today
Regular Price: $73
Special Early Registration Price: $53
Save $20 when you register by July 31, 2026.
Class begins August 3, 2026, with lessons delivered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for four weeks.
Join us and discover how much creative potential is hiding inside those pre-cuts you've been saving for the perfect project.
