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Before you start Lesson 12 make sure that you have completed Lessons 1-11. If you have not completed these previous lessons return to the Skylights Mystery lesson list and complete them all before you begin Lesson 12. Make sure, if you’re a beginner with our programs, that you have worked through the beginning Workbook lessons, especially the EasyDraw lessons, in the “EQ5 Getting Started” book or the “EQ6 User Manual” before trying these mystery lessons. Print off these instructions from your internet browser by clicking FILE > Print.

Open your Mystery Project

  1. Double-click the EQ6 (EQ5) icon on your Windows Desktop.
  2. Click the Open an Existing Project tab in the Project Helper.
  3. Choose your Mystery Project file which should be saved as mystery.PJ6 (or mystery.PJ5). When this file is selected it is highlighted.
  4. Click OK. The Sketchbook containing your Mystery Project is now showing.
  5. Click Close (x in EQ5) to close the Sketchbook.

Set up Snap Grid

  1. To create a block you must be on the Block worktable. On the menu bar, click WORKTABLE > Work on Block.
  2. To start a new block click BLOCK > New Block > EasyDraw Block on the menu bar.
  3. On the menu bar, click BLOCK > Drawing Board Setup > Block Size (General tab in EQ5). We’ll set the block size at 26 x 26. (We won’t use the block at this large size – but the ruler markings will help us draw.) Double-click the existing number for Width (Horizontal in EQ5) and type 26. Repeat this step for Height (Vertical in EQ5) so it is also 26.
  4. Click Snap Grid (only EQ6). Beside Horizontal grid points (Horizontal Divisions in EQ5) click the arrows until the number of points is 26. (The default number was 24 which we’ve used for earlier blocks.) Repeat this step for Vertical grid points (Vertical Divisions in EQ5) until it is also 26.
  5. (EQ6 only) To make it easier to draw precisely you will want to make sure that snapping is activated. While still in Drawing Board Setup click Snapping (under EasyDraw). Make sure there is a check in the boxes besideSnap to grid and Snap to nodes of drawing. If there is not, simply click on the box and a check will appear.
  6. Click Graph Paper on the side (EQ6) or on the top (EQ5). Click the box beside “Show graph paper” (EQ6) or click the down arrow under “Options” beside “Style” and choose “Graph paper lines” (EQ5). Make the number of graph paper divisions 13 for both number boxes.
  7. Click OK. You will now see graph paper lines across your block to help you draw. These lines will not appear in your final block drawing.

Draw the Block

This is the block you’re drawing:

It looks like 4 Log Cabin-like corners, each with a window. The “Log Cabin” strips are 2 units wide; the “Window” strips are 1 unit wide. Draw your block, following this picture. 

  1. Start by dividing your block into 4 equal patches. Click the Grid tool. On the menu bar, click BLOCK > Grid Tool Setup (Grid Setup in EQ5). The Grid Setup box appears and allows you to adjust the number of columns and rows that the grid will contain.
  2. In the Grid Setup box click the arrows beside Columns until the number of columns is 2. Follow this same step with Rows so the number of rows is also 2.
  3. Place the crosshairs of the mouse cursor over the top-left corner of the block outline. Click, hold and drag the crosshairs diagonally to the bottom-right corner of the block outline. You will see two solid lines that make your block into a 4-patch. If you don’t see a complete 4-patch, click EDIT>Undo, and drag again from top-left to bottom- right corners. (These are permanent lines that will appear when you click on the Color tab.) Your block drawing will now be a regular 4 patch, with 2 crossing lines, looking like this:
  4. Start at side ruler point 2, and draw a line straight across the block, drawing on top of the top graph paper line.
  5. Start at side ruler point 15 (not at the number 15, but at the long ruler guideline beneath 15), and draw a line straight across the block (You will be drawing a line between 2 graph paper lines.)
    Your block drawing will now look like this:
  6. Draw 4 vertical logs down from each line you just drew. You will be lining up your lines with top ruler point 11 (drawing between 2 graph paper lines) and ruler point 24 (drawing on top of a graph paper line). Your block drawing will now look like this:
  7. Draw 4 more horizontal lines. Start 2 units below, at side ruler points 4 (you’ll be drawing on a graph paper line) and 17 (you’ll be drawing between 2 graph paper lines).
    Your block drawing will now look like this:
  8. Draw 4 more vertical lines to make another row of logs. Your top ruler points are 9 you’ll be drawing between 2 graph paper lines) and 22 (you’ll be drawing on a graph paper line).
    Your block drawing will now look like this:
  9. Draw 4 more horizontal lines, then 4 more vertical lines, to make your block look like this (with 3 logs at the top and side of each “cabin” section):
    Next, you’ll draw the “Windows” in the cabin. Look at the picture below, and draw in the windows.
    Remember, each strip in the window is 1 unit wide. If you need help, the image below is the top-left window. All others will be drawn the same way in their respective squares:
  10. Click Add to Sketchbook (Save in Sketchbook in EQ5) when you have drawn your block.

Color the Block

  1. Click the Color tab at the bottom of the screen. Your block will appear and be ready for color. (Note: If any lines disappear, it is because they are not drawn completely point to point so they do not snap to the grid. Click the EasyDraw tab, click the Shape (Edit) tool, click the nodes of the “Problem lines” or redraw using the Linetool.)
  2. On the Fabrics palette click the Colors tab (Solids in EQ5). This is where you will get the solid colors for your block. Scroll through the colors until you find the colors that you need.
    Color your block so it looks like the picture:
  3. The “window pane” squares will be yellow.
  4. The 1-unit “window sashing” strips will be black. The middle vertical log will also be black.
  5. The outermost vertical log will be dark gray.
  6. All of the other logs will be light gray.

Save and Name Your Block

  1. When you are done coloring your block, click the Add to Sketchbook button (Save in Sketchbook in EQ5).
  2. Click the View Sketchbook button.
  3. Click the Blocks section.
  4. Click your newly colored Windows in the Cabin block. (It is unnamed.) (For EQ5, click the arrow pointing right, beneath the block, to display the block in color).
  5. Click the Notecard button at the bottom of the Sketchbook. A blank notecard appears.
    Beside Name type: Windows in the Cabin.
  6. Click the X in the top-right corner of the notecard to close it. You will notice that your second block now displays its name.
  7. Click Close (x in EQ5) to close the Sketchbook.
  8. Click the Save button.
  9. Exit EQ6 (EQ5) by clicking FILE > Exit.

Note: If you are sewing this block you will sew two. For fabric, think of building colors glass, metal, or brick colors for the strips, and warm “interior light” colors for the yellow areas.

Now the mystery will be revealed! You’re ready to set all of your blocks into your blank layout, to complete your Skylights Mystery quilt.

Click here to go to the FINALE and see the finished quilt design!