If you’ve been wanting to design a quilt on the computer? Or play with different fabrics and layouts quickly before you make a decision to piece the blocks together?

Well, today I’m going to show how you can easily do so with Electric Quilt 8 Software. 

Electric Quilt Software

Electric Quilt software is a powerful tool designed to cater to quilters of all skill levels. From novices to experienced quilters, this software opens up a world of possibilities. With its intuitive interface and user-friendly features, you’ll find yourself immersed in a quilting wonderland where your imagination knows no bounds.

Save 25% on EQ8, Upgrades, and Lesson Books at Electric Quilt HERE> with code LEARN. Sale ends at 11:59pm ET on 8/15/23.

The Electric Quilt software Version EQ8 is available for download for Mac and Windows and it’s pretty straight to use. However, there’s also some learning curve if you want to take your design to another level. At the moment I only use the basic tools and I like EQ8 most for figuring out the layout, the yardages required, and cutting directions. 

In this post, I’ll bring you along as I quickly design the simple baby quilt I just made earlier – Churn Dash Quilt

Picking the quilt layout

I begin with picking the layout. I wanted to make a simple 9 blocks and sashing in between. In the quilt layout section, you can easily change the number of blocks, and pick different layouts such as on-point and even custom layouts where you can have various-sized blocks. 

This is also where you can set the size of the sashing. All of this is made easy with sliders on the left-hand side of the screen. 

Picking ready-to-use blocks

With the extensive library of blocks, here is where you can easily start. Just pick the blocks and place them in the current sketchbook and it’s ready to use in the quilt layout.

You can edit these blocks in the block worktable but you can also use it as is. Easy as pie. 

I picked the block called the Monkey Wrench – which I know as Churn Dash Block for this quilt. I then simply click the empty layout and filled it in with the block.

Colouring the quilt

Now comes the fun part and my favourite part of EQ8. Colouring the quilt with the fabric you have at hand! You can simply upload the fabric in the library or use similar colours in the library provided. 

There are various options here, you can buy an add-on library of new fabrics where collections of fabrics are ready to use for you or you can upload it yourself. I usually do the latter one. Simply take a photo of your fabrics and upload it or find your fabrics online and save the photos and upload them in the library. 

Once uploaded, you can use it like a paintbrush. I love this part of the EQ8 and the concept of digital quilts. You can quickly switch around fabrics and see how it looks before you piece them together!

Printing the block-cutting directions

You can print out the block-cutting directions easily with a click of a button and it will come out with such layout below.I like to refer to this and I usually change the values slightly to take into account some trimmings. For example, for the half-square triangles. In the block cutting directions given, it is the exact cut. I like to make mine slightly bigger so I can trim to the exact final size. 

For example, this block, calls for a 4 7/8″ square for the half-square triangle units to make a 4.5″ unit. I simply round that to 5″ instead of cutting the fiddly 4 7/8″.

I also look for any opportunity to cut time and include strip cutting like the 4.5″ x 2.5″ rectangles can be cut into long strips of 2.5″, pieced together and then later cut into 4.5″ square units. These changes are the things I like to include in my quilt pattern if I were to share the quilt pattern. But if it is for me, I usually just make a mental note or note it down on this piece of cutting directions.        

Fabric Requirement

Once you’ve designed a quilt, you can also print out the fabric requirements. There’s an option on fabric from yardage or fat quarters to make it easy if you’re working from a fat quarter bundle. I usually love this for estimating how much background fabric I need. This is also really helpful when you want to make a larger quilt and want to know how much fabric would you need to make a quilt pattern in a bigger size.  

Overall, I am yet to explore more about Electric Quilt and I am still using it for the very basics but I find it really helpful to have. If you want to try it, buy it on sale like it is right now where you can save 25%! I bought mine during the sale too and the fact that it can be digitally downloaded makes it easy for me as well.

Speaking of Sale, there is a limited-time sale right now that you may want to check out. Use code: LEARN and get 25% off right now at Electric Quilt. Sale ends at 11:59pm ET on 8/15/23.

Let me know if you too have used EQ8 and if you want me to share more of the behind the scene. I love that you can quickly design a quilt with EQ8, and get straight to the most fun part – sewing it together!

Introducing the Scrap Sorting Cart: my new way to sorting my scraps and putting them all in one place. 

Hey there,

Have you ever found yourself knee-deep in a pile of fabric scraps, desperately searching for that perfect square for your next quilt project? Well, fret no more, because I’ve got something that’s about to revolutionize your quilting game – the Scrap Sorting Cart!

Quilt basting is a crucial step in the quilting process, ensuring that the quilt top, batting, and backing stay securely in place during the quilting process. While there are various methods to baste a quilt, one popular technique is floor basting. Floor basting provides ample space and allows for a smooth and even basting process. 

I have tried several different ways to baste including basting on a table, and on the wall but doing it the floor is still the best method for me. 

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my process of basting on the floor. If you baste on the floor too, drop in some tips! If you’re a beginner quilter and wonder how you can baste a quilt, I hope this post will give you a better idea.

Benefits of Floor Basting: 

1. Ample Space: Unlike other methods that might require a smaller workspace, floor basting allows for more extensive quilt layouts. You can easily spread out your quilt layers, ensuring proper alignment and avoiding any wrinkles or folds.
2. Accessibility: Working on the floor eliminates the need for bending over or reaching across large surfaces. This accessibility provides better control and precision during the basting process.
3. Versatility: Floor basting works well for quilts of all sizes, from small baby quilts to large bed-sized creations. It allows you to work on any project without limitations.

For this basting tutorial, I am going to demonstrate with photos of my basting process for this colourful house quilt which I talked about earlier in this post HERE>

While floor basting offers many benefits, such as ample space and accessibility, it also has a few potential disadvantages:

1. Physical Strain: Basting on the floor can require prolonged periods of kneeling, sitting, or crawling, which can put strain on your back, knees, and joints. This can be uncomfortable, especially for individuals with mobility issues or physical limitations.
2. Floor Surface Limitations: The type of floor surface you have may affect the success of floor basting. Uneven or rough surfaces can make it challenging to achieve a smooth and wrinkle-free quilt base. Additionally, if you have carpeted floors, the fabric layers may not lay as flat or secure as they would on a hard surface.
3. Floor Cleanliness: Ensuring a clean floor surface is crucial for successful floor basting. Dust, pet hair, or debris on the floor can transfer to your quilt layers, potentially causing stains or affecting the overall appearance of your quilt.
4. Lack of Adjustability: Once you’ve positioned your quilt layers on the floor, making adjustments can be cumbersome. If you need to make changes or fix alignment issues, it may require rearranging the entire quilt layout, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
5. Limited Accessibility for Some Quilters: Floor basting may not be suitable for everyone, particularly individuals with physical limitations, such as back or knee problems. It may be challenging for them to maneuver on the floor and perform the necessary tasks involved in basting.

Despite these disadvantages, many quilters still find floor basting to be a viable and efficient method. It’s important to consider your personal circumstances, physical abilities, and the condition of your floor surface before deciding if floor basting is the right choice for you.

Here is a step-by-step on how to baste on the floor. 

AccuQuilt is a company that produces die-cutting machines and fabric cutting dies for quilting and other fabric crafts. The AccuQuilt system is designed to make fabric cutting faster, easier, and more accurate. But is it worth it for quilting? and Does it waste more fabrics compared to the conventional method?

In this blog post, I’ll share my experience using my AccuQuilt and we’ll explore the pros and cons of the AccuQuilt system and help you decide whether it’s a good investment for your quilting needs.

I bought my Accuquilt Go! set a few years back where I posted an earlier unboxing video HERE. It costed as much to have it shipped all the way here to Malaysia. However, I decided that it was well worth the investment since I really would like to use it for managing scraps and to cut curves shape templates.

In general, here are some of the Pros and Cons of Accuquilt machines:

Pros:

1. Speed and Accuracy: AccuQuilt machines and dies are designed to cut fabric quickly and accurately, saving you time and reducing the risk of mistakes. The precision cutting ensures that all your pieces are the same size and shape, which is important for creating a quilt with even seams and a professional finish. I think this is the main reason that makes Accuquilt worth it. I just love that it saves so much time cutting and piecing! and it’s so much fun cutting with the machine too.
2. Versatility: AccuQuilt machines and dies are versatile and can be used to cut a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, denim, and even leather. The dies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to create intricate designs and patterns. There are so many dies to choose from! and they usually have SALE on overstock items which you can grab dies for up to 70% off. 
3. Consistency: One of the biggest advantages of the AccuQuilt system is the consistency it provides. With traditional rotary cutting methods, it can be difficult to cut every piece of fabric exactly the same. With AccuQuilt, every piece is cut precisely the same, which can make piecing your quilt top together much easier. 
4. Easy to Use: AccuQuilt machines are easy to use and require minimal setup. You simply place your fabric on the die, run it through the machine, and you’re done. This makes it an excellent choice for quilters of all skill levels, including beginners.
5. Light on the wrist and hand. If you struggle with wrist pain when using rotary cutter to cut lots of fabrics, You’ll love this. The electric Cutter is even better. The crank on the Accuquilt Go! is easy to turn and will not be hard on the wrist even after many cuts. But of course, take lots of break in any given tasks. If you have wrist pain, I recommend getting the Accuquilt Go! Big Electric Cutter instead. 

Cons:

1. Cost: The biggest downside of the AccuQuilt system is the cost. Is Accuquilt worth it? The machines and dies can be expensive, which can be a significant investment for some quilters. However, many quilters believe that the time and frustration saved by using the AccuQuilt system is worth the investment. I surely feel like it was worth the time to use up my scraps easily, and have all the pieces cut in matters of minutes. And they are perfectly accurate! Plus, I think it is so much fun cutting with the Accuquilt than it is with a rotary cutter.
2. Limited Die Sizes: While AccuQuilt offers a wide range of dies, the sizes are limited. This can be frustrating if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create a quilt with larger blocks. But, they also take in custom orders! Yes they do and they’re adding new dies with time and request. 
3. Storage: AccuQuilt machines will need some space in your sewing room. It does fold up close but they are pretty heavy. I do love that it is heavy though as it does feel like it is sturdy and very well built.  It is best to have it somewhere where you can easily use it.

Does Accuquilt waste fabrics?

The short answer to that is No. You can waste as much fabrics with rotary cutter too.

I know when I first wanted to purchase the Accuquilt, I had the same question. I thought we had to put a square piece of fabrics in with a certain size, and whatever is cut away from that piece will end up as waste. Well, apparently it is not like that at all. The initial fabric does not have to be a certain size, for as long as it is larger than the shape we are going to cut, it would cut. How much fabric will be wasted or mistakenly cut will really depend on the user. Just as we have to plan when cutting with a rotary cutter, we can also plan how we can minimise fabric wastage when using Accuquilt. 

How to cut with minimal fabric waste

In the video below, I’ll share with you how I cut half square triangles for my current work in progress, The Scrappy Ocean Wave Quilt and how I minimise fabric wastage. I love fabrics, and I want them to go a long way. Quilting fabric is surely not cheap. Not only that I wasted the same amount of fabrics when rotary cutting, I SAVE a LOT of time cutting pieces and trimming. No more trimming the units with these exact cut pieces. So, I definitely feel like the Accuquilt is worth the investment. I am yet to use more of the curvy dies. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the AccuQuilt system is a great investment for quilters who value speed, accuracy, and consistency. While the cost can be a barrier for some, many quilters including me believe that the time and frustration saved by using the system is worth it. If you’re looking to create intricate designs and patterns, the AccuQuilt system is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create larger blocks, the limited die sizes may be a drawback. Ultimately, the decision of whether to invest in the AccuQuilt system will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

So, is Accuquilt worth it?

If you do a lot of scrap quilt or make lots of quilts with repetitive units, Accuquilt will surely be a great investment. 

Where to buy Accuquilt?

• Accuquilt Website – they ship internationally using Fed-Ex and you can grab it at SALE price. 
• Amazon
• or check with your local quilt store
• quilt shows – they have road tour all the time, you can also get it there. 

If you’re a quilter, you’re probably familiar with the term “unfinished objects (UFOs)”. An unfinished object is a project that you’ve started but hasn’t finished. UFOs can be found in many areas of quilting, from piecing to quilting to the binding. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why UFOs happen and how to deal with them.

So let’s begin with the question of why do UFOs exists.

Why do we have unfinished objects UFOs in our quilting pile?

1. Lack of Motivation

One of the most common reasons why quilters don’t finish their WIPs is a lack of motivation. Quilting can be a time-consuming process, and it’s easy to get burned out or lose interest in a project. This is especially true if a quilter has been working on a project for a long time or if they’re struggling with a particular technique. When motivation wanes, it can be difficult to find the energy to keep going.