Bucket List: Master EQ7

A friend of mine, Gail, has mastered the EQ7 (Electric Quilt 7) software program. She’s kindly offered to show me how. It’s just a matter of working out a schedule that works for us both. But, before I can do anything, I must reinstall the program on my new Windows 10 (YUCK) operating system! There is a trick to it, something I’ll have to research the next time I’m in Dallas – on unlimited bandwidth!

I’m used to the pencil, straight edge, and graph paper technique when designing a quilt, or sometimes what I refer to as “seat of my pants” designing. I’ll have an idea in my head, and just start making blocks, until I get the desired quilt size. Sometimes, things go wrong with following instructions or I don’t like the way the fabric’s print looks in the design. That’s how I came up with the Wings Quilt Block!

I do believe, learning EQ7 would be a great help, especially calculating the yardage needed once the design is created. Gail has often suggested for me to watch the YouTube videos available on the internet. I need to focus and do that soon!

Ann, another friend, recently posted on Facebook a beautiful red, white, and blue quilt she’d seen on the internet. I went to Knitnoid’s website, and sure enough, the contributor explained how she ended up with the design – all through using the EQ7 software! She worked it out, changing this and that, until she ended up with this beauty:

This process would sure save on the trusty eraser, or printer ink when printing out graph paper! I do need to get going on this software program!!!

Following Instructions

When working on a quilt top, I don’t understand why I have such an issue following written instructions for a specific pattern/design. But, I do. Something in my brain clicks and it’s like the pattern is written in Greek rather than plain English! I know it’s me because others follow the same instructions and it works!

Let me study a photo of the block. I usually can figure out how to create it without any problems.

I saw this photo on Facebook the other day…

It gave me a good laugh, and reminded me, how many disasters I’ve created due to not following the instructions!

But, it’s not a total loss! I keep going, modifying and changing until it works out some way – some how! Maybe not like the original design. What I end up with is a new design!

I tried making the “Quilt for a Better Tomorrow” I wrote about the other day…

It didn’t work out. I ran out of fabric! When I made 6 blocks, I knew I would not have enough of the listed yardage requirements of fabric (purchased on our road trip) to make 6 additional blocks! It’s then I stopped trying and created a sashing and cornerstone between the blocks. Now I need more of the black fabric to do along the sides – before adding side borders.

I just couldn’t figure out the instructions to create the flying geese section. So, I did the “flying geese” like I knew how… which ate up the last bit of the black fabric.

Now I have bunches and bunches of the black half square triangles the instructions said to cut. I’ll figure out something to do with them!

I’m not going to give up on the original design! One day soon I’m hoping to get someone else to read the instructions and show me how, and what I did wrong!

Bottom line, when you get a kit of any type… follow the instructions to avoid a disaster!

Fortunately, while sewing for the experience, a disaster can easily be turned into a new design!

Introducing the Wings Quilt Block!

Have you ever created a quilt block and didn’t like the way it looked? Maybe the color scheme used or the size of individual pieces within the block just didn’t look like the way you envisioned? This happened to me last week!

I started playing around with the ruler, rotary cutter, and swapping pieces around, then stitching back together. The result, the “Wings Quilt Block”!

I’m excited about this block because it is so versatile! The most difficult thing about it is, deciding on which direction you will want to put your blocks together! Just wait! You'll see!

It is when I put together this one single block up on my design board...

I realized the manufacturer printed the red print off kilter. On one side, the design is square to the selvage, but on the other side ~ the design it is off! There is absolutely NO WAY to “fix” this because it happened during the printing of the fabric. I HATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS! Anyway…

The final design is not blah. It is bold. It makes a statement.

Each individual "Wings" block will/should measure 8.5 before stitching together.

For my quilt, I created 24 blocks (four blocks across, six rows down = 24), then added 2 borders to get the width/length I needed.  Without borders, based on 24 blocks, using simple math the quilt measures 32" x 48" which is a nice size for a toddler!

Be gentle! This is my first time to write "formal" instructions! I created a .pdf file with the instructions here for you to download, for easy printing!

Or, you can follow along...

Wings Quilt Block

Designed by Lanetta J. Sprott

of Lanetta’s Creations

I highly recommend: Read through the complete instructions before starting!

PART ONE

Cutting instructions:

White with star print – 6.5” x 3.5”

Blue stripe – 9.5” x 3.5”

Red/white print – 6.5” x 6.5”

Sewing instructions (see TIP):

1)  Stitch (right sides together) the white and red. Press toward the red.

2)  Stitch (right sides together) the blue stripe to the white/red unit (see NOTE). Press toward the stripe.

TIP: When making more than one block, I cut all the white, red, and blue stripe fabric out at once. I quickly stitched the white to the red (it doesn’t matter which side of the white is stitched to the red).

I then made 2 stacks (one of the white/red and the other the blue stripe):

NOTE: Before stitching #1 and #2 together, the white fabric is at the top of the red/white unit and the blue stripe is on the right side of the unit. Be consistent! Each time you make this block, keep the top of the unit the same (in size and color) and the 9.5” piece on the right for Each block! This is critical!

Once you’ve stitched all 3 pieces together, give it one more press with a hot iron (no water/steam at all during the entire block construction). Now is a good thing/time to spritz a bit of spray starch to make it nice and flat, and to help keep down any stretching!

Individual blocks should measure 9.5” square. Trim now if necessary!

And, now on for the second/final part!

PART TWO

Place one basic block at a time on your cutting mat (right side up), white up, and stripe on the right side (see NOTE).

Cut diagonally – both ways – without moving any fabric until both cuts are done!

NOTE: Be consistent in positioning the block each time you put it on the cutting mat!

Swap the top and bottom pieces. Leave the sides alone. It should now look like this:

Pin ~ right sides together ~ matching seams… (see NOTE)

top and left section

bottom and right section

NOTE: As I note in the photo, don’t fret if the edge doesn’t match up. Your only concern (at this point) is that the seams match. Because we pressed in opposite directions, the seams should nestle together nicely.

Stitch units together.

TIP: whenever possible begin stitching at the 90 degree angle rather than the pointy end.

• Press to set the stitches,
• then place the unopened triangle back on your cutting mat. 
• Place your grid ruler along the stitched side (the bottom) and 
• line up the 6.5” grid mark at the left point. (I just love pictures!)
• Trim off the right side.

Press seam open.

Repeat this process with the 2^nd unopened triangle.

With right sides together, stitch the two sections together. Be careful NOT TO STRETCH the fabric!

The block should now measure 8.5” square! Trim if necessary and cut off the dog-ears!

 Ta Da! You now have created the Wings Quilt Block!

When arranging the 24 blocks on my design wall, I started with the center and worked out until I liked the design within the design! Add border, or more blocks, to create the size you desire!

How will you put yours together?

© Copyright 2016. This pattern is for personal use only. It cannot be used for commercial purposes. It cannot be copied or distributed in any format. It cannot be used with distribution of any product, including kits or made into a pattern for re-sale without the written permission from the designer, Lanetta J. Sprott.