This is a special bonus post for the EQ7 Summer Drawing Series Sew Along! For this mini lesson, we’ll try out a couple of drawing tools on the Appliqué tab that we haven’t used yet in this series.
I’ll give you some hints on how to draw this block, but I won’t be writing out step-by-step instructions because I’d like you to give your new drawing skills a workout.
Note: Make sure your Precision Bar settings are the same as they were when you drew the Block 4 lesson—on the Appliqué tab make sure all the snap settings and Auto Fill are turned ON.
Click here to download the Mini Lesson PDF file.
With the Block 4 design on your worktable, and the Applique tab selected, delete the four appliqué patches using the Pick tool .
Click the Bezier Curve tool
. Draw a curve that starts at the grid point at 2” across and 6” down, and ends at 5” across and .5” down.
Click the Shape tool
and pull the handles so the curve looks similar to the illustration below.
Click the Swath tool . By default, this tool is not on your toolbar. Click the Customize Toolbar button on the left toolbar. Click Add/Remove Buttons and then click to put a checkmark next to the tools you’d like to add. Click anywhere on the worktable to close the menu.
On the Precision Bar, next to Contour click the down arrow and choose the second option. Next to Style, choose the first option.
About the Swath Tool
In these directions, we’re applying the Swath tool to an existing line segment, but you can draw directly with the Swath tool too! You can set the properties (contour, style, min. width, and boldness) before you draw, or edit the properties of an existing swath. Just be sure to make any adjustments before you convert the segment to a patch.
Position your cursor directly on the line you drew and double-click. The Swath settings will be applied to the line. Isn’t that cool?!
This drawing is still “in progress”, so we can make changes until we choose to convert it to patches. Go back up to the Precision Bar and experiment with the settings for Min. Width and Boldness. For the illustration below, I used 10.8 and 8.8, respectively.
When you are happy with the settings, click Convert to Patch
on the Precision Bar. Any flying geese triangles that do not have the partnering side patches will be deleted when you convert the drawing.
I’d like my flying geese to end in a point, so I used the Pick tool
to select and delete the two side patches next to the top triangle.
Now select all the patches (Ctrl+A). Then copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V).
Click the small red square on the Pick tool
and then click Flip V in the Symmetry box. Position your cursor over the crosshair and drag into place below the first set of flying geese.
If you have difficulty getting the flying geese to stay in place, try turning Snap Whole Patch to Grid OFF
on the Precision Bar.
Select all (Ctrl+A), copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) again. Then click Flip H and drag to the right side of the block.
Color your block and Add to Sketchbook
.
Come back on August 31 for the Block 4 Link Up!
08-15-2013
3:37 pm
Oh, I LOVE these lessons! Thank you so much!
08-15-2013
6:26 pm
I am a naughty girl with the economic situation here in Australia I have been depressed and have been sitting in a corner feeling sorry for myself! My girlfriend from down south went mad on me
now I am back into it I so SO LOVE THESE LESSONS, too thank you I will get back into it…..spring is here soon anyways???
08-15-2013
8:29 pm
Natasha, I hear you when you say the economy is getting you down. Here in Ontario Canada we have had a long go of layoffs and jobs leaving the country… But Quilting is great therapy and nothing like the feeling of a finished project. Would love to connect and share stories.. Hugs and prayers for some sonshine to touch your day.. Deb
08-15-2013
9:46 pm
I know what you are talking about. I’m in West Aussie and we lost our business to the downturn in economy 4 years ago. Luckily we saved our house. The only thing that kept me going was sewing. So get up and go to your sewing machine, you’ll forget all your troubles and get some satisfaction in the end when you look at your creation! All the best, chin up!!
08-31-2013
3:52 pm
Thanks again for a wonderful series. I am no longer intimidated by EQ7 and am looking forward to making more blocks. I look forward to seeing what other bloggers have made with the blocks and will continue to take more lessons.
08-31-2013
7:22 pm
Thank you from me also for posting these lessons. I, too have gained confidence in using this program and I look forward to creating the many blocks/ideas that I have been contemplating for ages.
09-02-2013
7:00 pm
I have been so so sick just as when I think I am getting better I get a bad ear infection on one side and my head hurts so its been a dreadful season or that I am getting old……But am dying to get stuck into I do have the first blocks done and such……
04-26-2014
10:13 am
It was looking so simple at start but at end it is awesome. I will try this absolutely and share with you.