Did you just get EQ8? Or, would you like a basic lesson on how to design a basic quilt?

This quilt has a horizontal layout with elements placed on Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3. Let’s get started!

When you open EQ8 you will see this screen.

  1. Click Design a quilt from scratch
    In general the idea is to work on the tabs from left to right. You can always click back and forth between tabs to change things as you go along though.
  2. Under the first tab – NEW QUILT click Horizontal
  3. Now click the second tab – LAYOUT
  4. Under NUMBER OF BLOCKS make it
    Horizontal: 3
    Vertical: 4
  5. Under FINISHED SIZE OF BLOCKS make it
    Width: 9
    Height: 9
  6. Under FINISHED SIZE OF SASHING make it
    Width: 0
    Height: 0
  7. Now click the third tab – BORDERS
  8. Under Select a border style choose Long Horizontal
  9. Under Border Size make all of the sides 2.5 inches
  10. Now click the fourth tab – DESIGN
  11. Click Block Tools
  12. Click Set Block
    You should see the block below in your default blocks.
  13. Click on the block to select it then hold down the Alt key (Windows) on your keyboard or Option key (Mac) and click in the middle-top patch of the quilt. The block will go into every other patch on the quilt.

    Now we are going to get a block from the library.
  14. Click the Open Library button.
  15. Click the little plus signs + next to the names of the libraries until you don’t see any more plus signs.
  16. Under 01 Classic Pieced click on Antique Mosaics.
  17. Click on the block shown.
  18. Click Add to Sketchbook.
  19. Click Close.

  20. Use the arrows or slider towards the bottom of your screen to scroll to the end of your blocks. That is where new blocks will be.
  21. Click on the block and hold down the Alt key (Windows) on your keyboard or Option key (Mac) and click in the top-right corner patch of the quilt.
  22. 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.)
  23. Now click the Fabric Tools.You will see the Paintbrush tool, Spraycan and Swap Color as options for coloring your quilt. You will also see that you have either Fabrics or solid Colors available for recoloring your quilt.
  24. Experiment with the different options to recolor your quilt.
  25. When you are happy with your design click Add to Project Sketchbook
  26. If you would like you can also click Hide/show quilt patch lines, if you prefer.

    Now we’re going to go get a block to place on Layer 2.
  27. Click Block Tools
  28. Click Open Library

    We’ll be using a Motif. They have no background so they are perfect to use in a situation like this.
  29. Click the plus sign + next to 06 Motifs and click on Folk Motifs.
  30. Click on the County Rooster (or any other Motif you like)
  31. Click Add to Sketchbook
  32. Click Close
  33. Click the Motifs tab
  34. Click Layer 2 at the bottom of your screen.
  35. Click on the Rooster (or other motif) and drag him onto your quilt. It doesn’t matter what size he is or where he lands for right now.Since we are on Layer 2 the motif shows up on top of the other blocks.
  36. Click the Adjust tool.
  37. If you chose the rooster, make the block
    Width: 13
    Height: 14
    X-Axis: 15.5
    Y-Axis: 23.5

    If you chose another Motif just choose a size and location you like.

  38. Click the Fabric Tools if you would like and recolor the quilt.
  39. When you are happy with your design click Add to Project Sketchbook Now let’s add the stencils.
  40. Click Layer 3 at the bottom of your screen.
  41. Click the Set Block tool
  42. Click Open Library

  43. Click the + next to 07 Stencils
  44. Click on the word Boxes
  45. Click on the first block
  46. Click Add to Sketchbook
  47. Click Close
  48. Click the Stencils tab
  49. Click on the stencil and drag in onto the quilt. Size and location doesn’t matter for now.
  50. Click the Adjust tool
  51. Click on the stencil
  52. Make the stencil
    Width: 3.125
    Height: 3.125Block Rotation: 45Grid snap increments: 1/16th inch
  53. Place the block. Zoom in if it helps.
  54. Copy and paste the stencil and place as shown.
  55. Click Open Library
  56. Click the + next to 07 Stencils
  57. Click on the words Border Stencils
  58. Click on Continuous Line Loops
  59. Click Add to Sketchbook
  60. Click Close
  61. Drag the stencil to the border of your quilt. It should already show as 6 x 6 inches and fit perfectly on the long sides of your quilt.
  62. Keep copy and pasting, and flipping and rotating to fill the borders.
    Everything will fit until you get to a few of the corners…

    But we can just edit the block to make it fit better.
  63. Click the Set Block tool
  64. Right-click on the block
  65. Choose Edit Block
  66. Click on the Pick tool and click on the top two loops.
  67. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
  68. Click Add to Sketchbook
  69. Click Quilt Worktable
  70. Click the Adjust tool
  71. Click on the block that is too long
  72. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
  73. Click the Set Block tool
  74. Click on the stencil with two loops.
  75. Drag it onto to quilt.
  76. Click on the Adjust tool
  77. Click on the stencil
  78. Click the Rotate tool as many times as needed.
  79. Repeat this process for the other short border.
  80. Click Add to Project Sketchbook
  81. Now we’ll recolor the stencils.
  82. Click Thread Tools. (You may need to click the double triangles to see Thread Tools.)
  83. Experiment with the different thread colors, styles and weights.
    The Brush Thread tool sets thread one patch at a time.
    The Spray Thread tool sets thread in all identical patches in a block at once.
    The Swap Thread tool sets thread in all patches on the quilt at once.
  84. Once you have your quilt exactly how you like it click Add to Project Sketchbook If you want to post images of your quilt, here is how to export the images.
    


    To post your image click to comment on this post.Fill in your info and then click Browse.
    Go to: Documents\My EQ8\ImagesI can’t wait to see what you’ve done! 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.
    If you have suggestions for new Design & Discover lessons feel free to comment below or email Heidi@electricquilt.com.