Have you ever played around with a set of blocks just to see how they look in different settings? Since I use Electric Quilt for my quilts, I will usually try different layouts before deciding on a design.
When I’m designing a quilt, the first thing that will grab my attention is when a secondary design forms. The next most interesting layout for me is something set on point. I mostly work with simple blocks (some of you are beginning to believe me) that look like they were more difficult and it’s really easy to make simple blocks look more complex in an on point setting.
When I began working on my Blame Game quilt, I knew it was going to be set on point but the first blocks were set up on the design wall as a horizontal setting layout.
Blame Game
The lighter 12 blocks were made first and the darker 6 blocks were made next so I just have them on the wall in that configuration.
Blame Game
Then I changed the darker blocks to an alternate block setting and a bit of a secondary design appeared.
Blame Game
It was the on point setting that tickled my fancy! The secondary design pops and the darker blocks look like they have a purpose.
Blame Game
The corner blocks are made and that brings it to life even more. Hopefully this week I’ll get the setting triangles made but I’m now working on the second one, which is Fit for a Hero so we’ll see if Blame Game gets finished this week.
Carolyn says
I loved your Sew Blue quilt in the Quilt maker mag. I immagine you designed it on EQ. I don’t remember you writing about it.
I was wondering if there are any fabric amounts for making it queen or King sixed? I noticed that throws seem to be the most popular size in many mag is this a new trend that I just haven’t realized yet?
Rebecca Grace says
Judy, I’m so glad you mentioned that you use EQ to design your quilts. I have made a couple of quilts that “surprised” me by not turning out the way I expected once all the blocks were completed and laid out, because I couldn’t assess the color and value adequately enough in the beginning when I had piles of fabric all over my table. I’ve been thinking of asking Santa for EQ7 for Christmas but my hesitation is wondering whether you can really design ANYTHING in EQ, or are you limited to designing things that use blocks in the built-in design library? I own interior design software like that, in that it’s great as long as the drapery style or chair shape is in the software library but it’s a royal PITA if you have something more original that you’re trying to depict. I have this half-formed idea in my head for an applique quilt that would have on-point blocks with the side corners rounded off (sorry if that makes no sense; I don’t know how to describe it). Is EQ7 flexible enough to design ANY kind of quilt with it? Thanks and happy Thanksgiving. Oh, and I love the zing your corner blocks add to your Blame Game, by the way. 🙂
Susan says
It really makes a big difference to see the two settings side by side.