In late September Al Navas bought EQ7. By the end of the week he was designing his own quilts. In less than a month he was writing his own EQ lesson!
We were intrigued and asked him a little about himself, included how he started quilting.
A while back Sandy and her sister pooled money and bought the Husqvarna Viking Mega Quilter, a long arm quilting machine, including the Quilt Sew Clever computer control. I took over the machine quilting for Sandy, while she remains busy stitching blocks into quilt tops. I learned to use it while trying to find the source of skipped stitches; and in the process I was hooked to the use of the long arm quilting machine! I am also making a little time to practice free motion quilting; feathers are coming along fine, and others too!
As I stitched patterns onto several quilts Sandy made, I started to draw a parallel between stitching together quilt blocks and quilting, to woodworking, which I have been doing for many years. Both require attention to detail, to ensure all parts of a block (and a nice jewelry box!) match properly.
In woodworking I used a 3D design program called SketchUp, and another called eCabinets System. Then I learned from Sandy about Electric Quilt, a computer-based block and quilt design program. What an epiphany!
Recently I started learning to use a sewing machine, in an attempt to learn the intricacies of making quilt blocks that later become a quilt top. I know I am many years late to this amazing art; but I hope I might learn enough to be able to stitch together an interesting and appealing quilt. I always enjoy learning something new!
As I read about Electric Quilt, both at The Electric Quilt website and other places on the Internet, I became fascinated by its capabilities. In use, I would be able to create blocks, and also create entire quilts using those blocks, using a computer – literally, a virtual quilt.
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In late September I purchased the download version of EQ7, to use on my Windows 7 laptop; on October 8 I submitted my entry to the Quilted in Honor quilt design challenge. To say I was hooked on EQ is very likely an understatement. In between I also purchased Blockbase, to accompany EQ. Love how the two work together! I enjoy working with EQ7, because now I can truly envision HOW a block goes together, including seam allowances, angles, etc. I can see how it will help me as I create blocks based on the designs. |
It makes the entire learning experience very, very cool. Now all that remains is actual stitching on my green, 1972 vintage Sears Kenmore sewing machine – it even does zig-zag!
My explorations into the capabilities of EQ7 led me to the creation of PDF files from my design. And before long I came across the article on Exploding Blocks and Quilts for Patterns. I did not know this could be done with a PDF file! The only downside, if I wanted to be able to do it, was the expense of buying Adobe’s Illustrator program, used in the procedure.
I started exploring inexpensive and, preferably, free alternatives to Illustrator. This led me to use an open source alternative called Inkscape which can be downloaded for both the Windows and Mac OS platforms. As I played with Inkscape, I realized how close its command structure is to the Illustrator menu structure. I decided to write a procedure that would parallel the procedure to explode blocks and quilts already on the EQ website. And now the procedure I wrote lives on the EQ website.”
But that’s not all!
Al has a blog and a YouTube channel (which is tied to his Google+ page)
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His blog has Al’s latest design, The King’s Crowns. The blog includes information on how he’s made it along with videos. |
He is a quick learner and a smart gentleman. We’re happy to have him (and you too!) as an EQ user
01-07-2015
6:15 pm
Amazing. So wonderful to see your creativity
01-07-2015
6:33 pm
Thank you, Betsy! This has been an amazing journey. EQ was the push I needed to start exploring the art of making quilts, and stitching in general. I have a lifetime of stuff to catch up on!
01-08-2015
4:07 pm
What an absolute inspiring story, my appreciation of this gentleman knows no bounds. This is what makes life so worth while. Long may you continue sir.
01-08-2015
4:21 pm
Thank you, Avice! I am glad I discovered stitching in various forms, albeit a little later in life than many others. I believe it is fascinating – and I truly hope it will give others the courage to take on the art of stitching, and then quilting on a long-arm machine.
01-08-2015
6:47 pm
I love hearing how people’s passion for quilting is ignited. I just found Inklingo.com and I am on a new quilting voyage of my own.
01-14-2015
11:18 am
Heidi, Thank you for this great article on Al Navas. I love his Quilted in Honor submission. How impressive he has done all he has AND shared it with everyone. Even a lesson! Incredible talent! I am excited to view his blog and youtube channel. Just think, he is just getting started! Thank you Al! I will be sharing this with my friends.
01-14-2015
9:12 pm
Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement, Jodie! I am trying to make up for all the years I missed stitching and creating with fabric.
01-27-2015
2:53 am
wow – so awesome – I’ve had EQ7 for 2 1/2 years and I still only know how to colour blocks !!! I’m finally enrolling in EQU as I think I’m more of a visual learner and as I work full time I think this will be the quickest way for me to learn. Thanks for the info on Inkscape and I LOVE your Kings Crown quilt – awesome !!
01-29-2015
4:27 pm
Thank you, Leanne! You are right about EQU – it will be a wonderful resource for everyone using EQ7. I am glad to see you taking it to the next level
02-19-2015
7:06 am
Hey Al, What a surprise to find your blog! I was looking at images in search of feathers that I could use to quilt with my embroidery machine and there was your picture. I did a double-take and realized it was you. Nice blog. How wonderful that you’re learning so much about long arm quilting and honestly the whole process of quilt making. Such a great activity for you two to share in these retirement years. I don’t think I’ll ever get Joe that interested but If I can ever bring myself to purchase a long arm he’ll probably be happy to help me get it set up at least. hahaha Hug Sandy for me. Your Quiliting friend from the MSQC Forum, Rebecca
02-19-2015
5:47 pm
Rebecca, thank you for your kind words. However, all the credit goes to The Electric Quilt Company, as they were kind to ask me if I wished to share my story. What they are doing is amazing – and I am learning to use EQ7, plus stitching, plus quilting on the long-arm machine, plus…a whole bunch of stuff.
I am so glad you found my blog! You are very kind to share your thoughts here
Al
02-12-2019
3:18 pm
Sweet and very Informative blog I’ve ever found while looking for the info about embroidery digitizing on the web, and I am very pleased to see the work and efforts, I will surely recommend this blog to my friends, also thanks for this awesome post!
03-26-2020
7:34 am
Thanks for sharing an incredible story!
04-13-2020
1:44 pm
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