AmethystStars

We love to find beautiful quilts that were designed with EQ7! While looking through new magazines, we found EQ user Christine Stainbrook and her Love Song quilt. It is currently featured in the July/August issue of McCall’s Quilting Magazine.  Read below to find out about Christine’s design process, how she got hooked on EQ and what she has to say to other desingers out there :)

EQ: Congratulations on being featured in McCall’s! What’s is like seeing your design in a magazine?
Christine: It’s always exciting when I see something I designed in a magazine.

EQ: Before we discuss the quilt and your design techniques, tell us about yourself!
Christine: I’m a third generation quilter and have been quilting for 35 years.  I love to teach as well as design and write patterns to share my ideas with other quilters. I have a pretty eclectic, varied taste, combining traditional, contemporary and modern styles and fabrics, then making it all work together.

EQ: So what inspired you to create the Love Song quilt?
Christine: That’s a tough one.  I just played with the fabrics in several different designs, then decided maybe an applique center.  When the design was finished, it just said “Pick Me!” Sometimes designs pop into my head in the most unlikely places. I was in a doctor’s office and a painting gave me an idea for a quilt, so I drew it out on the back of an envelope until I could get home and use EQ.

EQ: What role did EQ7 play in this quilt?
Christine: Everything I design is done in EQ, since version 4.  Now I’m using EQStitch.  I like the ease of use for drawing applique and being able to place actual fabrics in the design.  It sure makes tweaking designs a bit easier.

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EQ: How did you first find out about EQ quilt design software and what made you decide to try it?
Christine: I first saw EQ4 at a local quilt shop that I frequented.  After getting online and seeing what the program could do, I had to have it.  The graph paper and colored pencils sure was a lot more time consuming.

EQ: How has the program changed your designing ability?
Christine: Being able to make changes either to the drawing or the coloring has really streamlined the design process for me.  I can add, remove or change the blocks/drawings and then see if they work with the fabrics I’m using, or use another fabric line completely.

EQ: Do you own any other EQ products? If so, what are your favorites and why?
Christine: I have several add-ons for EQ: Block Base, My Dream House, Angle Play Blocks, Dear Hannah, Dear Jane, Kaleidoscope Collection, Star Power, Stars & Sets, Town & Country, Baltimore Album and Classic Applique (20’s & 30’s and folk art)

EQ: Wow, that’s great! What draws you to purchase additional EQ products?
Christine: I like the variety of blocks that each add-on includes…it helps stir the inspiration and creativity when looking for ideas for different fabric lines or fabric combinations.

EQ: Some designers are reluctant to use EQ7 because they worry they’ll struggle to learn how to use the software. Do you have any words of encouragement?
Christine: If your struggling, just don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  You can always hit the undo button.  If you need a more structured learning environment, I’d suggest taking classes at EQ University to gain a better handle on how to make the program do what you want it to.  I just kept playing and figured out how to make it work, then took classes to see if there was a better way to do something.

EQ: As a McCall’s featured designer, what advice would you give to other designers aspiring to have their work published?
Christine: Just to not give up.  If one magazine doesn’t like your design, try another magazine or see if you can work with them to fit your design to their needs. I submitted a manuscript to a publisher once, and of course received a rejection, but it sure didn’t stop me.  I just went another direction and made it work.

EQ: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me, Christine. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you, your quilt or your design process?
Christine: I guess the most important thing to remember is that quilting, whether as a job or hobby, should be fun.  If you’re not having fun with it, maybe re-evaluate the type of projects you’re working on, or take some classes or project workshops to see where in the “quilty” scheme of things your passion lies.

A big thanks to Christine Stainbrook for doing this interview with me. Stay tuned to see the next EQ-designed quilt we come across – it might be yours! :)