The Electric Quilt Company is 30!
The Electric Quilt Company’s Story – How It All Began
We’re celebrating 30 years! Since the pearl is the traditional symbol for 30 years, we’re sharing EQ Pearls of Wisdom from our friends! See all Pearls of Wisdom posts. We hope you enjoy the tips and tricks you learn along the way and discover some new quilters or catch up with your favorites! Also, we’d love to hear about YOUR journey with EQ so feel free to tell us your story in the comments on any post! A big THANK YOU to all our customers for your support over the years. We’re looking forward to many more!
This week’s featured friend: Brett Lewis!
Tell us a bit about yourself Brett!
I became interested in quilting after being gifted a beautiful baby quilt in 2016, and signed up for a beginners quilting class. I discovered quilting to be an amazing artistic outlet, and I had the nickname “Natural Born Quilter” bestowed upon me by my sister early in my quilting journey. Fast forward 5 years, I am a fabric designer for Northcott Fabrics, have completed over 50 quilts, have taught numerous quilting classes focusing on foundation paper piecing, curves, and fussy cutting and have been given the title “Quilter Dad” by my son.
When did you start using Electric Quilt and how has it changed your quilting life?
I purchased Electric Quilt software in 2018 to dabble in pattern design, but I really dove in once I became a Fabric Designer and had to create quilt pattern designs to launch with the release of my fabric collections. It has made the pattern design process effortless, as I can create unique and interesting simple or complex patterns with the click of the mouse.
What is your EQ “Pearl of Wisdom” for EQ users?
By far my favorite feature is being able to upload fabric images into your EQ8 Library and Sketchbook and plug them into pre-existing quilt blocks. It is a great feature, as you can reference fabrics in your stash and plan out a quilt pattern based on fabrics you already have. Some fabric companies have digital downloads of collections, if they are not present in the extensive EQ8 library.
What are you up to now and what do you have coming up?
My second fabric collection for Northcott Fabrics, “Prairie Meadow”, ships to quilt stores in September 2021, and I have been busy writing my quilt patterns to accompany its launch. You can also find me on Instagram or Facebook @naturalbornquilter to see what I have going on in my sewing studio. I am excited to get back to in person teaching in 2022, and continue to work on future fabric collections.
Giveaway
Visit my website for a free digital download of a small project I designed in EQ8 called “Prairie Reflections.” I will also provide a free digital download of my pattern “Meadow Valley” that was released with my first fabric collection “Stag and Thistle” in 2020 to one lucky winner.
Question to enter: What is your favorite part of being a quilter?
Comment below to enter. Contest closes Sunday, August 8 at 11:59pm ET. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email.
Want a chance to win Brett’s “Prairie Meadow” fabrics?! Check out this month’s Fabric of the Month Design Challenge!
Hope you enjoyed this “pearl” of wisdom. Feel free to share your EQ story or a “pearl” of your own in the comments! Stay tuned for our next post!
08-03-2021
11:20 am
I love designing and seeing the design come to life not only in the design pallet but also in other color ways.
08-03-2021
11:58 am
I enjoy being able to create something that is unique to me and maybe even the recipient then gifting to that someone special. That may be a family member or someone that needs to be hugged when they are going through a difficult event.
08-03-2021
12:07 pm
I love designing quilts for my customers using their clothing items to create long lasting memories for them or their family members.
08-03-2021
12:47 pm
I best enjoy the last stages of quilting – the binding and label! But I enjoy the piecing – watching the pattern come alive and the quilting when it just adds that little bit of pop and wow to the quilt.
08-03-2021
1:17 pm
My favorite part of quilting is when I take a design that I like by a quilter that I like and make small changes to make the quilt “my owm”. Sometimes it is as simple as an additional border or changing the layout. I always do mention the original designer.
08-03-2021
1:25 pm
I love the sense of accomplishment when I take a quilt off of the longarm. Quilting definitely makes the quilt shine in my opinion.
08-03-2021
1:48 pm
My favorite part of quilting is playing with fabric and the range of colors each holds.
08-03-2021
1:50 pm
What a beautiful quilt, Meadow Prairie and fabric. I am thinking about how I could show case your fabric. I love EQ8 for it has made me layout my quilt before I make it. It is exciting to see how placement of the fabric changes the outcome. One fabric as accent can make all the difference. I learn something everyday with EQ8 that is what makes me be excited for quilt making.
08-03-2021
1:50 pm
I love designing or figuring out someone else’s design and then choosing the fabrics for it, cutting them out and sewing them. Layering, quilting, and finishing are not so much fun.
08-03-2021
2:19 pm
My favourite part of being a quilter is the look of joy on the recipients face and the comfort it brings them.
08-03-2021
3:22 pm
My favorite part of being a quilter is figuring out how to write the pattern so it’s easy for the maker to construct. So many times there are multiple ways to draw, cut, make a block that it takes some thought for the best way to communicate it. I love how easy it is to experiment with block construction in EQ8 and the rotary cutting instructions make it simple to solve those sometimes difficult block cutting puzzles so your pattern can be pain-free.
08-03-2021
4:48 pm
Love seeing my designs develop into amazing quilts and the joy of giving them away.
08-03-2021
7:12 pm
I love being able to make something that’s completely one of a kind. It doesn’t matter if someone else uses the same pattern and fabric, they’re never the same.
08-03-2021
7:28 pm
I love shopping for fabric, cutting the fabric, piecing the fabric pieces at my sewing machine and sewing the binding on my finished quilt. I do not enjoy as much sandwiching the batting between the top and backing as well as the quilting but I do do these tasks anyway. Quilting has always intrigued me and I so much enjoy the interesting patterns and the way different color combinations change the look of the same pattern. Lastly, I love my sewing machine which I try to enjoy everyday!
08-03-2021
9:56 pm
Quilting is the way I continue to learn and keep my brain active. This also includes being with others, talking, sharing, problem-solving, and having fun doing something we enjoy so immensely.
08-03-2021
11:14 pm
I love the freedom I have to do my own thing. Lately I have been challenging myself to use my scraps and I’m having a good time with some fabulous results and a few wonky ones.
08-04-2021
7:39 am
I love your quilts and fabric so mutch
08-04-2021
10:24 am
I love choosing the fabrics and then piecing the quilt. Seeing “scraps” of fabric become a beautiful design is exciting.
08-04-2021
2:41 pm
My favorite part of quilting is using my craft to make others happy. While I know of the tiny mistakes others don’t. After 25 years of quilting, I have learned a lot about myself and the craft of quilting. Fabrics and the historical appeal of the quilt drew me in and have kept me motivated over the years.
08-04-2021
4:07 pm
My favourite part of being a quilter is the continuous learning aspect. I also love to connect with like minded individuals locally and all over the world. Quilters are the best!
08-04-2021
9:20 pm
I love picking out the colors best. I design it in the program with all those fabrics, but then go to my room and play in my fabric! That is the best part!
08-05-2021
3:53 am
The design element is my favourite part of the process. i love trialling different patterns, blocks, fabrics.
08-05-2021
2:39 pm
My most favorite part of being a quilter is the joy I see in others faces when they are gifted one of my quilts. The joy I had making and designing one and then seeing the tears and joy (along with a big hug) from the person it was gifted to has no words for me. My heart is filled with such joy I cant express it.
Happy quilting to all.
Jennifer
08-06-2021
12:19 pm
I love quilting. I love creating the design, choosing the colors, cutting and sewing. My sewing room is my happy place.
08-09-2021
3:22 pm
This contest is closed. Winner: Scott Woxman!