EQ7 - Quick Design with Jackie's Janome Block

Janome has come out with an idea to publish 100 quilt blocks. This is a great time to get 100 fresh new block designs, plus a chance to play with EQ7 - Electric Quilt - which I think is one of the best quilt designing computer programs available. One way to practise with EQ7 is to take a block someone has already designed, draw it up in EQ in the block design section and then try it out in a quilt.

 So I took one of Jackie White's blocks. You can see the block at Jackie's Facebook page and download the pattern from Janome. The first quilt I designed doubled the size of the blocks to 12" square and uses two borders - the quilt ends up at 82" x 94"

Fabric needed (EQ7 uses yards, not meters):
white: 1 7/8 yd.
olive green: 2 1/2 yd.
grey: 1 7/8 yd.
red: 1 yd.
brown: 1 5/8 yd. (Note: the red and brown are also used for the borders and binding)

The second quilt is only 73" x 85" with the binding (I always add a 1/2" border to simulate the binding fabric needed) and uses these fabrics:
silver: 3 7/8 yd.
light brown 1 1/2 yd.
red: 1/2 yd.
brown: 1/2 yd

Quilt Retreatables

OK, this might be a longish story, so feel free to just look at the photo and leave!! A couple of years ago, the Canadian Quilters Association/Association de la courtepointe canadienne had a Trend-Tex challenge with 5 fat quarters that you could make into a wall hanging or a 'wearable'. It was interesting to see how many different things could be made from the same 5 fat quarters! (My project was handed in late so it doesn't show up in the gallery.) I decided to make 'Quilt Retreatables'

The hat was a reversible sun hat pattern from April Cobb - I made the large size, but could use one a little bit larger. Really easy to make though. I made the sample one with Riley Blake fabric (this fabric has its own story! My friend, Jackie White had emailed me that Riley Blake had a challenge out to use some of their fabric to make a bag and send in photos. I was in Florida at the time and only found the fabric used in this photo at a place about 45 minutes from where I was staying. I bought the fabric, but never got the tote made - going to Spring training games to watch the Cardinals, visitors, shopping at Bealls, etc...) My plan for this kit was to make a set of items that I could take to every quilt retreat. I attend an annual one at Red Lodge Resort on beautiful Manitoulin Island (just in case you don't know: the island is in Lake Huron and is the largest island in a fresh water lake). I wanted the tote to hold my 12 1/2" ruler and small cutting mat, so I designed a square one about 13 1/2" wide and deep enough to hold other tools, threads, bobbins, etc. I had to start mine before I could make the kit for the Trend-Tex Challenge, but didn't finish it right away. I sewed enough to check out my pattern, then completed the Trend-Tex quilt retreatables in time to go to the St. Catharines CQA/ACC quilt conference. It raised $50 in the silent auction. Last winter I finished my own tote and added a camera bag and a tablet bag to my kit and have taken it away to a quilt retreat and my annual sewing vacation at Boyne, Michigan. I love it and may make some coordinating pieces to take with it - let's see, I could probably use a sewing machine cover, needle case, thread catcher, .... so many other necessities at a quilt retreat!! Maybe even some coasters for my wine glass in the evenings on the deck!

My Favourite Actor loves Shop Hops

How can you not love Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace"?