Plus and X Block Instructions

Written by Diane Harris on March 18, 2021. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

One thing we’ve talked about in Scrap Quilt Secrets is the Plus and X Block. It became popular a few years back when a Japanese quilter named Setsuko Inagawa entered a quilt with this block into the Tokyo show, and a quilter named Jan Burgwinkle took photos and posted them on flickr. People went wild and soon there were Plus and X quilts popping up everywhere.

I made mine in the first few years of the frenzy and I didn’t pay any attention to value. Here’s what I mean.

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Quilt Block Mania: New Year Star

Written by Diane Harris on December 1, 2020. Posted in Blog, Complimentary, How-tos and Ideas, Inspiration

Welcome to Quilt Block Mania! I have a complimentary block pattern for you and a list of other designers who have also posted blocks this morning!

Let me introduce you to something I call “the running thirds.”

My block is called New Year Star and it uses the running thirds. It’s a way of dividing a block in three so that you get a Nine Patch, but the divisions are not equal.

Instead, they are the sizes of any three consecutive or “running” numbers, such as 3, 4 and 5. All of the Quilt Block Mania blocks finish at 12″, and you’ll notice that 3 + 4 + 5 = 12.

Keep in mind that for right now, we are talking about the finished sizes.

First we’ll divide the block into three columns. The first column is 3″ wide, the next is 4″ wide, and the far right column is 5″ wide. There’s our pattern of 3, 4 and 5.

But wait! There’s more!

Next we’ll divide the block horizontally so that we have three rows. The first row is 3″ tall, the next row is 4″ tall and the bottom row is 5″ tall. Same pattern of 3, 4 and 5. Still with me?

From there you can see that the dimensions of each patch are easy to figure out. If you’re not following, try this:

• Read the dimensions of the top row, moving across.
• Read the dimensions of the middle row, moving across.
• Read the dimensions of the bottom row, moving across.

You should be able to hear the patterns of 3, 4 and 5 as you read. Repeat the process for each column:

• Read the dimensions of the first column, moving down.
• Read the dimensions of the second column, moving down.
• Read the dimensions of the third column, moving down.

My New Year Star block is based on a 3-4-5 grid just like you saw above. What’s so cool about this idea is that you can adapt it for many traditional blocks and put a whole new spin on them. But that’s a topic for another day.

Take a look at the New Year Star if you scrap it up a bit with the magic of EQ8.

I like these colors but I thought it might be intense for an entire quilt. So I changed to blue and silver and got this:

The stars appear to be dancing because I rotated the blocks randomly and used many different blues: brighter, darker and dustier.

Then I went scrappy with baby girl colors, and the quilt is below.

There are so many things you can do with this block! If you have EQ8, I recommend that you play with it there. But if you don’t, then mess around with crayons or markers or even your stash to get inspired and make a quilt that is uniquely you.

I’ve created a printer-friendly pdf with the block instructions for New Year Star. The block finishes at 12″ x 12″. Enjoy!

Scroll down for links to the other designers with complimentary blocks out today. So much deliciousness!

Stargazing Sue
Starburst at Slice of Pi Quilts
Massachusetts Star with blockofthmo.com
Nova Star at Always Expect Moore
Nativity Star
Star Bright – Cotton Street Commons
Five Pointed Star at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
New Year Star at Stash Bandit
Poinsettia Star
Wish Upon a Satar by Heidi Pridemore
Falling Star at Pretty Piney Quilts
Star Splash at QuiltFabrication
Seward Star at Blue Bear Quilts
Moon Star at Perkins Dry Goods
Starburst at Patti’s Patchwork
Cherokee Star
Christmas Tree Star
Christmas Star by Oh Kaye Quilting
Starfish by Appliques Quilts and More
Snowy Star by Seams To Be Sew
Combination Star by Devoted Quilter
Ablaze by True Blue Quilts

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Log Cabin Possibilities

Written by Diane Harris on September 29, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

I’ve been playing in EQ8 again and it seems the possibilities with Log Cabin never end. This started with a basic block I made for a Facebook Live with Annie’s Craft Store and Quilter’s World.

I liked the first few blocks so much that I just kept sewing. Right now I’m up to 24 blocks and I’m going to make at least that many more.

I often sew with just a vague idea of where a quilt is going. I want to let it take shape naturally. But this time I chose to decide up front how I would set the blocks. EQ8 let me explore the possibilities!

I don’t know if the arrangement above has an official name, but I’m calling mine Rickrack. I love rickrack!

I’m not sure about the setting above. It feels like my eye can’t quite understand what is going on. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t have a name that I know of.

This one has the blocks arranged into Pinwheels. Are you starting to understand what it’s easier to try out settings in EQ8 than to rearrange the blocks on your design wall a dozen times?

I really like this setting. It’s like the Rickrack setting a few photos back, but this time the strips of rickrack are oriented vertically. It’s like the mark on Harry Potter’s forehead!

If I had to name this one, I’d call it Girl’s Best Friend. Because you know, diamonds are just that!

Each time you recolor a block, EQ saves it for you. You can view the blocks one at a time, several at a time, or many at a time in the Project Sketchbook.

You can view the quilts you’ve created in the same way.

It has been my pleasure to partner with Electric Quilt Company these past few months to show you a little of what EQ8 can do.

Through Sept 30, use code EQ8STASHBANDIT for a nice 20% discount on everything on the EQ website. I know you’re going to love this power tool!

And I can’t wait to show you all my Log Cabin blocks very soon!

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Log Cabin Playtime

Written by Diane Harris on September 25, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Trunk Shows

Earlier this month I hosted a Facebook Live for Quilter’s World and Annie’s Craft Store. We talked about making Log Cabins using Block 1 in the Awash with Color Mystery Sampler.

I made a couple of blocks and parts to help viewers understand the ideas I was sharing, and I liked them so much that I just kept on sewing. Then I decided to open up EQ8 design software and see what other possibilities lurked! I was not disappointed.

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Color Quilts, Audition Binding in EQ8

Written by Diane Harris on September 21, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

I made a video showing how I color quilts and then audition binding colors or fabrics in EQ8 quilt design software from The Electric Quilt Company. I’m not sure if everyone does this for binding or if it’s just me but I think it’s worth sharing!

Before I had EQ, I would attempt to design on graph paper. But inevitably I’d become frustrated with the time-consuming nature of that process. I still jot things everywhere and sketch out block ideas, but when I get serious about producing something, I open EQ8 every time.

Quilt design informs every part of my business at Stash Bandit.

Whether I’m designing a quilt for magazine publication, building a trunk show of original designs, or just sewing for pleasure and posting on social media, EQ is part of the process.

One of the beauties of EQ is that you can open it with a particular direction in mind, like this:

I want to make a Log Cabin quilt.

Or you can begin by playing and just see where it takes you! My first few designs were accidents that I recognized as unique. Now I have enough experience to design on purpose if I wish to, but I also know that nothing can substitute for playtime when it comes to creativity!

I’ve been making simple Log Cabin blocks recently, and I made good use of the Symmetry tool in EQ8. Above is a basic layout of Log Cabin blocks, but coming soon I’ll have a post showing you some more interesting possibilities that EQ discovered on my behalf!

If you’d like to give EQ8 a spin, use code EQ8STASHBANDIT for 20% off everything on the website at electricquilt.com.

Sometimes people ask me if it’s easy to learn, and my answer is this:

If you can handle email, you can learn EQ8!

Of course it’s helpful if you know your way around a computer, but I think it’s very user-friendly, and the features never end. I probably won’t live long enough to learn its every capability. I definitely recommend it.

Quilt on,

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New Ideas, New Adventures

Written by Diane Harris on September 12, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Trunk Shows

I have a new idea for a quilt I really want to make, and it happened in a very roundabout way. First let me show you a mockup of the quilt that I designed in EQ8 quilt design software.

I think it would such a great quilt to practice machine quilting on! The blocks are easy and forgiving, and you can use any type of fabrics and it will look great.

I think I will do something special with the border. Stay tuned for that. So here is how this quilt was conceived.

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Quilt Block Mania and Giveaway!

Written by Diane Harris on September 1, 2020. Posted in Blog, Giveaways, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

I am so excited to be part of this month’s #quiltblockmania with many other quilt designers. We all used the same color palette and designed blocks with a Halloween theme. You’ll want to check them all out—that’s 29 free blocks! Scroll down for links.

🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃

I’m building a new program called Taste Test: Unexpected Sampler Quilts, so I designed Pumpkin Chain in EQ8 as a way to tie lots of other quilt blocks together. It would make a terrific sampler!

Just choose favorite 12″ blocks with a fall or Halloween theme. Alternate them with my Pumpkin Chain and like magic: amazing sampler quilt!

You can also change out the center portion of my pumpkin so that each chain block is different. I’m excited to share those center blocks with my newsletter subscribers between now and Halloween! Sign up for Oh Scrap! and never miss out!

Last week I wrote about coloring designs in EQ and shot a video of how it’s done. If you watch it, you can see one of my ideas for how Pumpkin Chain can be used. More to come!

GIVEAWAY! I’ve gathered some soft oranges, backgrounds and neutrals to help you get started on your own autumn scrap quilt with some of the blocks you’ll find during Quilt Block Mania.

Leave a comment before midnight on Thursday, Sept. 3 and I’ll pick a winner on Sept. 4. Tell me where you found another cool block during #quiltblockmania! The winner of the giveaway is Bev C in Florida! I have already heard back from her and the package will be on its way shortly. Thank you, everyone!

Here’s a printer-friendly pdf with instructions for Pumpkin Chain.

“Which Hat?” at Pretty Piney
Black Cat at Inquiring Quilter
Ring of Pumpkins at Always Expect Moore
Haunted House at Powered by Quilting
Three Treats at Sew Brainy
Bat at Slice of Pi Quilts
Day of the Dead Skull at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Gypsy Wagon Fortune Teller at Orange Blossom Quilt
Monster at Seams to be Sew
Patchwork Pumpkin at Quilted Diary
Stacked Pumpkins at Perkins Dry Goods
Spooky Star at Block of the Mo .com
Leaf Ghost at Off the Wall Quilt
Leaf and Vine at Quilt Moments
Frankenstein at Around the Bobbin
Bat by Heidi Pridemore
Candy Corn by Quilt Fabrication
Dark night by Cotton Street Commons
Pumpkin by Sew on the Go
Pumpkin and Bat by ScrapDash
Pumpkin Chain by Stash Bandit
Happy Jack-o-lantern by Patti’s Patchwork
Foundation Pieced Creepy Eyes by Amarar Creacions
Spooky Trees by Aunt Em’s Quilts
Upside Down Witch by Appliques Quilts and More
Scaredy Kitty by Tacy Gray
Sun-Boo-Net Sue by Blue Bear Quilts
Spider by Oh Kay Quilting
Candy, Pumpkins, and Witch Hat by Utah Quilt Appraiser

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EQ8 Tutorial: Two Ways to Color; Quilt Block Mania

Written by Diane Harris on August 29, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

I’m partnering with The Electric Quilt Company to promote EQ8 design software for a couple of months, and to that end, I shot a video showing two different ways to color a design in EQ8.

If you’re unfamiliar with the software, just sit back and enjoy the view and don’t worry about feeling a little lost. When you actually have the software, you start from the very beginning and learn one small step at a time. Everything builds on something you already know!

Here, we are jumping right into the meat of things and it may feel like drinking from a fire hose! Rest assured that there’s plenty of free help to launch you into coloring, designing and playing with EQ8.

To get started, use code EQ8STASHBANDIT for 20% off everything at electricquilt.com. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Do you see those big white spaces in the quilt on the video? Here’s the plan:

In just a few more days, I’m excited to be part of Quilt Block Mania, where 30 designers will have original block designs posted on their websites at no charge. Each block uses a similar color palette and has a Halloween theme. There are some incredibly adorable designs!

My block will go into one of those spaces.

But wait! There’s more! 😉

Each week, I’m going to release another companion block so that before long, you’ll have a whole set of them! And I designed it so that the other blocks in #quiltblockmania will fit in the spaces where you currently see the Log Cabin Pumpkins (a pattern which I’m also going to release).

So you’ll have lots of options and enough free quilt block patterns to keep you busy until Christmas!

Make my day and do this:

• Visit electricquilt.com and poke around!
• Use code EQ8STASHBANDIT when you make any purchase through the end of September and get 20% off at electricquilt.com.
• Watch the video to get a taste of the fun!

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EQ Block Spotlight: In a Pickle

Written by Diane Harris on August 23, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Quilt Lifestyle

One of the things I love about EQ8 quilt design software is that it can help me “scratch an itch.” When there’s a quilt I adore but know that I probably won’t ever make, I can create it virtually with EQ!

Every month on the EQ blog, there’s a feature called Block Spotlight. People are encouraged to design something with a featured block. EQ editors give a few ideas to prime your creative pump and it’s like calisthenics for your creative muscles.

I was happy to see that the August Block Spotlight is Prickly Pickle. It’s from the block library within the software—one of thousands you can use to design your own quilts—and I can’t wait to see how people use it.

A bell went off in my head when I saw the block, because just that week I had seen the photo above and fell in love with the colors in that quilt. The old, softly muted reds, blues, pinks and creams against the faded gold are heavenly.

There is one problem: I don’t know where I grabbed these photos so I can’t properly credit the owner. If they are yours, please let me know.

Since I love that vintage quilt so much, I colored my Block Spotlight in a similar way. And that was really scratching an itch for me!

I adore this quilt but I won’t ever make it. So coloring it and making as many virtual blocks as I wanted to were a wonderful substitute.

When I play with a quilt design, I use the solid colors available in EQ instead of the fabric swatches.

At this point in the process, I’m not thinking about fabric as much as I’m considering the big picture of the color recipe and the values (lightness or darkness).

I will say that I do know my fabric stash well enough to be certain that I could find these in it. I would have to buy the gold fabric, but with virtual, that’s not a problem! See the advantages?? 😊

I love to color things randomly. There are some parameters (a set of colors) but they are loose and the whole thing can flow freely.

It was as much fun to color it in EQ8 as it would be to sew it—maybe more!

And this is what I love about scrappy vintage quilts! They are the most carefree, exuberant and entertaining quilts around.

What I wouldn’t give for the time to sew this! Would you ever get tired of looking at it? Seems there would always be something new to discover! And to demonstrate that the gold is the bomb, look at what happens with a neutral background.

I think it dies. The colors and randomness are still interesting but they don’t hold up the way the gold background does. But you know what?

That is just one person’s opinion!

And that’s the beauty of the quilting world: You are in charge of what you like and what you don’t. If you like it, you can do it!

I wondered about an indigo background. With EQ it’s just a click or two to check it out.

I tried several different blues because blue is funny and I think it’s a hard color in a scrap quilt. (Red is the easiest!)

I saw a wonderful quilt by Sandi Griepenstroh at guild last week in navy and lime green. So I tried something in those colors. (This is why you should be snapping photos during your guild meetings! Color inspiration from here to kingdom come!) Then I had another idea.

Above, the petal shapes are mostly filled in with color. I wondered what would happen if…

I made the insides of the petal shapes the same color as the background. Voila! Totally different look. Now it’s as if you’re peering through curved window panes.

And because I got so excited about this block, before I left it behind, I softened the colors into something I might actually sew, with a more reasonable number of blocks.

Because you never know.

To get started with EQ8 from The Electric Quilt Company, use code EQ8STASHBANDIT for 20% off everything on electricquilt.com. That’s a nice savings! Ends Sept. 30, 2020.

To see what others designed with the same block, visit Block Spotlight! And if you’re an EQ user, jump right in to the fun and design something yourself. If you’re not a user but you want to be, use the code above to get started.

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Yule Glow, or You’ll Glow!

Written by Diane Harris on August 11, 2020. Posted in Blog, How-tos and Ideas, Trunk Shows

This blog post originally ran in October 2019.

This is Yule Glow, my latest design for McCall’s Quilting and their Nov/Dec ’19 issue, on newsstands now.

Yule Glow, designed and made by Diane Harris. Appears in McCall’s Quilting Nov/Dec ’19.

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