Did you know that Electric Quilt is celebrating their 25th Anniversary?
I may be a wee bit late to the party....
But this party will last all year long!
So it's not to late to join in the fun!
Electric Quilt is celebrating by offering giveaways each month. You can read all about it here.
I have been doing a lot of design work recently using my Electric Quilt (EQ7) software.
And it got me to thinking....
I remember when I started into pattern design. And back to when I purchased my EQ7 from Fat Quarter Shop back in November of 2013. I've learned a lot over the past two+ years about quilt design and about how to use this helpful program. In fact, I can't imagine how I would manage without it now!
Of course, I always start out in the design process by sketching out blocks or ideas for a quilt using graph paper. But once I have an idea of what I want to achieve, I sit down at the computer and begin to make the design take shape using my EQ7.
There have been a number of posts I've written where I describe this process (here is one) or have shown what a quilt looks like when it's finished compared to the EQ7 mock up (here is one). But in honour of the EQ Anniversary, I want to share some side by side comparison photos showing how a pattern looks in an EQ drawing versus the actual finished quilt.
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| Black Birds (read about the quilt here) |
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| Cat Treats (read about the quilt here) |
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| Forest Friends (read about the quilt here) |
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| Jungle Friends (read about the quilt here) |
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| Penguin Inn (read about the quilt here) |
Back in 2013, my main motivation for making the purchase of this program (and I think the most fun part of designing with EQ7) is being able to upload fabric swatches to show just how you can make your quilt design look using different fabrics.
AND you can change the size of your quilt.
Here are some samples of the upcoming Modernitional Bear Paw design
in Baby, Crib, Lap and Full sizes.
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| Modernitional Bear Paw in BABY size 39" x 47" |
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| Modernitional Bear Paw in CRIB size 47" x 47" |
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| Modernitional Bear Paw in LAP size 68" x 68" |
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| Modernitional Bear Paw in FULL size 84" x 84" |
How about you?
DO YOU EQ?
DO YOU EQ?
For all the lovely compliments on the runner I made for my mom for her birthday.
And for the well wishes you kindly sent!
She was so happy to have her altered spring jacket returned
and was thrilled with the appliqué runner.
And the flowers.
And the cinnamon buns.
M-m-m-m-m-m!
If you missed the post about my mom's birthday appliqué runner,
please click here to check out that post
and enter in the
GIVEAWAY
for a chance to win a copy of
Lara Buccella's wonderful new book
Crafted Appliqué.... New Possibilities
Keep On Quilting On!
I bought EQ7 quite some time ago but I never got the hang of it, I would have to sit in front of the computer hours at a time to learn how to use it and that is just not me. I did try but each time I went back to the computer I had to get the book back out and try to remember how to even access the patterns. At one time (years ago) there was a much easier program to use I don't remember the name of it and of course it was not as versatile and I could use that one - I am just not a computer person for anything other than writing my blog, email, reading blogs and doing my bills. I am the type that has to write down step by step instructions for what I do on the computer and I look back at those instructions for weeks before I learn it - I will leave that kind of stuff to those of you that love it and enjoy my time quilting and designing as I go and using other quilters patterns.
ReplyDeleteI do EQ, but not as much as I should :) And your soon to be Modernitional Bear Paw pattern already has my head spinning. Our state animal is a black bear oh the ideas are churning of what I can do with your pattern when you release it.
ReplyDeleteI wish! It is definitely tool I would like to have. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have EQ7 and use it all the time. I love it! I have all kinds of designs stored in my program, just waiting for their chance to be made up into something. Sadly, some will never make it out into the world of reality. So many ideas, so little time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. I love seeing your beautiful designs in EQ and created. Gorgeous. BTW - To help with the #EQ25 celebration I'm sharing EQ themes on the 10th of every month and also share links to other bloggers that are also sharing such on the 10th. Some are sharing EQ tips, tutorials, or inspirational projects, but all are helping to celebrate 25 years of EQ with EQ themed posts. If you ever want to join this fun, for any/all remaining months, just let me know.
ReplyDeleteQuiltShopGal
www.quiltshopgal.com
I've been using EQ since version 3. Absolutely love it. Unless, I'm specifically following someone else's pattern (and often even then), I create my quilts in EQ, then print of several versions (each with minor tweaks), then decide on the final version. The program helps me with sizing and layout. And I love being able to print out my own paper piecing patterns. While colored pencil and graph paper is great to start the process, I always finish on EQ7.
ReplyDeleteEach of your designs are delightful and creative. I have never used EQ, but have friends who use it religiously. It might be something I could explore in the future.
ReplyDeleteHey Lorna, thanks for this post. As you know I recently bought EQ7 but of course I haven't had much time to work with it yet - nor much time to quilt in general - got other projects that just WON'T let me finish. I've done a little bit, though and I think it is going to be helpful to me once I get a little more knowledge. How did you learn it? Because I'm doing OK with the straight line drawing but haven't figure out the patch draw stuff at all. I'm enrolled in an online class but haven't really had time to finish it for the above reason, but as far as I can tell there is nothing in there regarding the patch draw. Anyway, I look forward to getting better - I'm so impressed with the sophistication of your blocks! Keep it up, girlie!
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun to see you Modernitional Bear in so many different color schemes Lorna. It surprised me to see how cool the bear looks even in unexpected colors... like Pink!
ReplyDeleteI too love EQ7 and sometimes it's fun just to play around with it, with no goal in mind. It has saved me from wasting fabric many a time, because of that awesome ability to test fabric combinations with the program before using them in the real quilt.
Keep up the great work Lorna! We love your patterns!
It's really cool seeing the renderings and actual quilts side by side. Your vision is executed perfectly! I have EQ7 and have done basic block and quilt designing but nothing like what you've done. I have yet to figure out how to set your own block with varying sizes, etc. I just love all of your playful designs but I think Elephant Parade has always been my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWell I have EQ 6 but oh how I would love 7. It is a bit(6) difficult to learn. Guess one day I will have to do the upgrade when I run out of my limited installations of 6.
ReplyDeletePat
I have EQ7 but have not taken the time to learn it properly. I work full time and so think that by the time I get home I just want to sew. One day, when I have more time, I will tackle it. I should upgrade to the Mac version and use it with my Mac. I'm sure if I had that one I would learn it much more quickly as I HATE using a PC!!
ReplyDelete