Summer is in full swing and this month’s design is a large roomy tote.  It is a fun and quick design that features a great way to highlight a quilt block from the EQ Mini software.  I chose a beautiful applique design called Baltimore block to highlight on this tote.  I was keeping in mind how I was going to assemble this tote as I designed it.  The more you design, the easier it is to plan ahead for construction when designing your quilts to get the end result that you want.  Based upon a horizontal quilt layout, we play with row size, scale and colors to create this Summer Flora Tote.

Summer Flora Quilted Tote

Skillset: Beginner

Size: 19″ x 40″

Skill Builders:

  • Working with horizontal strip layout
    • Editing a strip quilt
    • Working with Borders
    • Working with applique blocks
      • Adding blocks
  • Working with Size and Scale

On to the design!

  1. Open EQ Mini.
  2. If it asks you to take a quick tour, click Close.
  3. Read the tip of the day and click Close.
  4. Let’s name the Project.  The project name will appear at the very top of the EQ Mini Window.  Right now the project says Untitled.  On the top toolbar click the Save button.    The Save As box will display.
  5.  Save your project file in the default folder which is projects.   Hint: You can then find it under Documents > My EQ Mini > Projects later.  Now in the file name box type Summer Flora Tote.
  6. Click Save.  The box will close.  Notice the project name Untitled has been replaced with Summer Flora Tote.

  7. Select the Quilt Style
  8.   On the Blue Start New Quilt Tab, select the Horizontal Strip Layout..

  9.  Select the  Seven 10″ Plain Strips.  It should be in the top left corner.  If you move the mouse and hover over the layouts, it will tell you the name of them.
  10.  Select the Orange Adjust Layout tab.  The layout palette will display.
  11. Under select strip, go to the first strip and click Delete.  Delete strips until you only have 3 strips remaining.
  12. Select the first strip.  Keep strip style as Plain.
  13. Change the strip width to 14″ and the strip length to 14″.
  14. Select the second strip.
  15. Keep strip style as Plain.
  16. Change the strip width to 5″ and the strip length to 14″.
  17.  Select the third strip.  Keep strip style as Plain.
  18.  Change the strip width to 14″ and the strip length to 14″.
  19.  Select the Green Edit Borders Tab.
  20. Select Border 1 of 1.  Leave Border Style as Long Horizontal.
  21. Check the lock size adjustment boxes for L+R  and T+B.
  22. Change Left and Right to 2.5″.
  23. Change Top and Bottom to 3.5″.
  24.  Select the Orange Design Quilt tab.
  25. Under Sketchbook blocks, click to open the library to select more blocks.
  26. Under the block libraries, open 04 Classic Applique.  Then select Baltimore Block.
  27.  Select the Baltimore Block and click add to sketchbook.
  28. Click and drag the Baltimore block to the center block of strips 1 and 3.
  29. Close Sketchbook blocks.
  30. Click the Paintbrush tool    on the right hand toolbar.
  31. Using  the fabrics and colors, color your quilt design.  Select the fabric or color and then click on the area you want to color on the quilt.
  32. Once you have the coloring how you like it, save the quilt design to your sketchbook. 

Congratulations, you have designed a colorful Summer Flora Tote.  Experiment with other quilt blocks that you love to make a one of a kind quilted tote with EQ Mini.

Now that you have your design, here are  Tips and Help Articles to help you get ready to sew up your design.

How to print the fabric yardage estimates required to piece the top

How to print the cutting instructions

Ready to Quilt?

Now that you have designed this in EQ Mini, why not stitch up this Summer Flora Tote?  You can find a detailed tutorial for this tote on my Lori Miller Designs blog.

Questions or Feedback?

Please share your ideas, questions and feedback in the comments. Thanks!

Lori J. Miller lives in Troy, Michigan, where she designs, stitches and sews quilts and quilty things. She loves experimenting with fun colors and designs to make playful and clever products for the modern stitcher.  Sewing since age 11, Lori has deep roots in sewing and quilting traditions that add a unique dimension to her designs.  She loves designing using Electric Quilt 7, Electric Quilt Mini and EQ Stitch.  You can follow her quilting adventures on her blog at lorimillerdesigns.com or on instagram @lorimillerdesigns