This is a special bonus post for the EQ7 Summer Drawing Series Sew Along! For this mini lesson, we’ll explore another Pieced PatchDraw click-and-snap grid—the Eight Point Star.
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!
Click here to download the Mini Lesson PDF file.
Start by clicking BLOCK > New Block > PatchDraw Block. Remember to Add to Sketchbook 
when you’re done.
Input the following settings on the Precision Bar:
Block Width and Height: 12
Grid: Eight Point Star
Dimension 1 and Dimension 2: 4
Graph Paper Cells: OFF
Use the PolyLine tool 
to draw the shapes shown below in the upper-left quadrant of the block.
Fill in the rest of the block by using the Clone selected segments 
and Rotate selected segments 
tools.
Notice that I chose to put seams diagonally out to the corners of the block and I split the side triangles between the star points into two smaller triangles. This makes it possible to section the block into foundation pieceable units.
Now try experimenting with some of the other specialized grids on the Pieced PatchDraw Worktable. Come back on June 30 for the Block 2 Link Up!
06-14-2013
3:37 pm
Can’t wait to try this!
06-14-2013
3:53 pm
Jenny, thanks so much for doing this! And thanks for making it available as a pdf for easy printing. These great little exercises help me feel much more comfortable using EQ.
06-14-2013
4:58 pm
That’s wonderful, Linda! I’m so glad you’re finding the sew along to be a helpful learning tool.
06-15-2013
9:09 pm
This was fun. I tried the circle, are, and kaleidoscope. It will be interesting to see if I can get them all pieced. I love these lessons. Thank you!
06-17-2013
9:24 am
Way to go Alison! Isn’t it fun to try out all the different grids?
06-17-2013
6:56 am
Jen is this lesson two or three we haven’t posted block two yet can you let me know…
06-17-2013
9:22 am
This is the mini lesson for block #2 (just a little something to give you more practice with Pieced PatchDraw). The Block 2 Link Up is June 30. Block 3 Lesson will be posted July 1.
06-18-2013
4:56 am
Thank you so very much Jenny. My confidence is growing with every lesson and I wish the lessons were going to the end of the year,that’s how much I enjoy it!
06-26-2013
8:26 pm
Can you please explain the dimension in a little more detail. What is it defining? How do you pick the number setting?
06-28-2013
9:48 am
The dimensions are different for each of the special grids in Pieced PatchDraw. In the Eight Point Star grid, the dimensions relate to three different polygon shapes within the grid (the squares in the corners, the side triangles, and the diamonds). The best way to understand them is to look at the diagrams of the grids available in the EQ7 HELP menu. In EQ7, click HELP > Contents. On the left, click Drawing Blocks > Pieced Blocks Using PatchDraw > About the PatchDraw Pieced Grids
07-01-2013
7:53 am
Hello Jen
Thanks for the mini lesson. I’ve just started with the summer draw series and certainly enjoyed this lesson. Not sure where (of if) to share the block. I’ll continue to play.. Love EQ7!!
07-01-2013
9:35 am
Hi Bev,
I’m glad you’re joining us! You can share your first block here:
Block 1 Link Up
Second block here:
Block 2 Link Up