Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing our top 10 favorite features in EQ8. Subscribe to this blog and follow us on social media (Facebook and Instagram with #EQ8Top10) to see all 10! See the complete list of features on our website.
#3 – Applique Patchmaker Tools
Create stars, posies and quilting stencils with simple-to-use controls. No drawing involved! These new applique tools make creating these shapes easy and fun!
These new tools will be available when you choose the Shapes tool on an applique block or motif (StencilMaker only available for Motifs).
StarMaker
Play around with the settings to see the different star shapes you can create!
PosieMaker
Quickly fill a basket with different kinds of flowers!
StencilMaker
(only available for motifs)
Add these original stencil designs to layer 3 of your quilt!
See the complete list of features on the Electric Quilt website.
11-10-2017
11:30 am
Thanks for this blog. Love the stencil maker part of this
eq8
11-10-2017
11:44 am
I love it!
11-10-2017
11:50 am
I played around with this feature last week. I LOVE it! Makes designing simple applique so much easier. I’m slowly starting to understand and love the new layout. However I’m still designing in EQ7 because I know the format so well.
11-10-2017
12:12 pm
Silly question…once you create the shapes you are interested in…can you export them in a format to use on a cutting machine…like the Brother Scan and Cut? Or is this a design only feature…
11-10-2017
1:36 pm
Hi Molly,
EQ was designed to print the patterns (templates, foundation patterns, rotary cutting charts, etc.) for the blocks and quilts you make in the software. So it does not have the ability to export a file format directly for use with a cutting machine.
However, you can create PDF files of the template printouts, which can be used with some cutting machines. Sindy Rodenmayer made a video of how she uses EQ with her Silhouette cutter (the video shows EQ7, but the same concept applies to EQ8):
https://youtu.be/gPYfDTFwXXk
11-10-2017
1:36 pm
I like making original stencil designs with the stencil-maker then exporting the image into EQ Stitch and drawing/digitizing actual stitch outs to use on my blocks or wherever – endless possibilities!
11-11-2017
6:50 am
Hello! I’m enjoying learning the new features of EQ8. I’m so excited to try the Posie Maker. I’ve seen it, but have yet to play with it. Designing applique blocks is one of my favorite things to do in EQ. This should be fun!
Have a fabulous day!
12-09-2017
11:38 pm
I tired to follow the lesson on #3Patch Maker Tools to point where I was to drag the star to increase it’s size. All I did was encage the heart shape. How can I avoid the heart shape when using the Ctrl key while dragging a point on the star?
12-11-2017
9:49 am
Hi Nancy,
Make sure that your cursor has changed to a double-headed arrow (when placed over the little black squares around the star) before clicking and dragging to change the size.
Alternatively, you can switch to the Pick tool first, then select the star and drag the handles to change the size of the patch.
07-21-2018
2:08 pm
How do I get to the Stencilmaker tool?
07-23-2018
9:30 am
The Stencilmaker tool is available on the Block Worktable. Choose Applique in the ribbon, then Motif in the palette. Click the Shapes tool and the Stencilmaker will be available.
03-18-2019
6:50 pm
Hallo, I can’t find two Easy-Draw possibilities from old EQ versions: Convert to arc and Convert to line. Are they definitely disappeared?