Even if you think you know how to color your quilts, you will probably learn something new from this lesson!

You can follow along and submit your version of the quilt right on the blog with a link up. If you have a blog, make sure to add your site too. Let’s visit each others’ blogs and all get to know each other!

(Before getting started, keep in mind any of the images can be viewed larger by clicking on them.)

We are going to start with a very basic quilt.

  1. Click NEW QUILT > Horizontal

  2. Click the LAYOUT tab. For this lesson it doesn’t really matter what your layout is, but you can see what I have below.
  3. Click the DESIGN tab > Block Tools > Set Block
  4. Use Alt+click/Option+click to set the blocks shown in alternating positions. (These are both default blocks and don’t need to be added from your Block Library.)
  5. Click Add to Project Sketchbook
    If you haven’t named your project yet, EQ8 will prompt you to do so. (To be saved, your item needs to be in the Sketchbook AND your project needs to be named. Here is more information.)
  6. Now click the Fabric Tools > Paintbrush
  7. You can see that when you click on the quilt each individual patch gets colored, one by one.
    Please note:
    Ctrl + click/Command + click to set the color or fabric into the same patch in all matching blocks on the current layer.
    Alt + click/Option+click to color patches in alternating matching blocks. Only available on Layer 1.
    You can also Drag and Drop a fabric swatch on a patch in the layout. Select a fabric in the palette. Click, hold, and drag that fabric swatch from the palette to the quilt layout. With the arrow cursor directly over the patch you want to color, release the mouse to drop the fabric on that patch. Hold the Ctrl/Command key down to set the fabric in all positions, or the Alt/Option key to set in alternating positions when released.
  8. There are also subtools you can use with the Paintbrush. For example, click the Rectangle Brush and click and drag to draw out a rectangle shape on the quilt. All the patches your path touches will be colored.Here is more information about using the Paintbrush Subtools.
  9. Now, click the Spraycan tool and click on a patch in another block. You will see that all the light blue pieces in that block have turned green with one click.
  10. Now click Select & Spray and click on a green patch. All the green patches will be selected.
  11. Click on any color in the palette and the green will change to that color. You can also scroll through the colors and the selected pieces will change as you scroll.
  12. Use the Spraycan tool to paint matching patches in a block using fabrics or colors from the Sketchbook. Please note: The Spraycan tool is available in the Fabric Tools on the Block Worktable and Quilt Worktable (Layers 1 & 2 only).
  13. Click the Swap Color tool and click a light blue patch. All the light blue patches in the whole quilt have changed color.
  14. Now, use the Swap Color tool to color the navy blue and green patches the same color purple as in your other blocks.
  15. Click on the Select & Swap and now you can change all of the colors in the quilt by clicking on a color in the palette or scrolling through.
  16. Here is more information about using the Swap Color Subtools. Please note: The Swap Color tool is only available on Layers 1 and 2.
  17. Use whatever method you would like to design a quilt with a color scheme you enjoy. Remember to reset your tools. For example, if you used the Rectangular Brush last time you used the Paintbrush you will have to click on the One Dot Brush (the first one).
  18. Click Add to Project Sketchbook
  19. Click Randomize
  20. Experiment with all the different options. For this example I chose Shift hue – 40.
  21. I started over with my blue orange and yellow version and clicked Randomize and got this! (You can just keep clicking and clicking and clicking and EQ will show you tons of different variations!)
  22. Now again I started with the blue orange and yellow version and clicked Map to fabrics.
  23. You can see the colored version and the fabric version. The more fabrics you have in your sketchbook, the closer the fabric version will be to the colored version.
  24. Add to Project Sketchbook 
  25. If you want to post images of your quilts, here is how to export the images.
  26. To post your image click to comment on this post. Fill in your info and then click Browse.  Go to: Documents\My EQ8\Images

I can’t wait to see your quilts! I hope you enjoyed the lesson!
If you have questions about the lesson feel free to post them below.
If you have questions about something else EQ related, please contact techsupport@electricquilt.com.