seweasy

Hi! Linda and Diana, Thanks so much for all your help, I made it through all the Mystery Lessons and so glad I did it but now I have whole new "boatload" of questions!!!
The biggee, when you see a quilt block in a magazine or you're dreaming up a new block, how do you know what setting to use in EasyDraw? I noticed that in several of the blocks in the Mystery Lessons, all had changes to block size and snap grid, some had changes with Grid Setup and Graph Paper. How do you know when to use which tools? Were those changes that were made in these blocks pretty much the standard changes made for making patchwork blocks?
I've got the EQ5 Drawing book by Patti Anderson, didn't know if that is what I should do next to learn more about this aspect of EQ or is there something better? I know eventually I'll see a block that I want to duplicate and I know I need to learn how now before I need to know. That's my husband favorite motto, learn now so you're prepared for later!!!
Thanks so for your patience and willingness to help me, Chris

MTS

It all boils down to the grid of the block. You need a different setting when making a 3x3 grid block than when designing a 4x4 grid one.

9 patch (3x3) vs. Sawtooth Star (4x4) as an example.

You can see the problems if you have setting for an 8" block, graph paper set on 3x3, and a snap grid set to 16. Try splitting (bisecting) any of those squares with a line - it's not going to snap.

So you always want those 3 set-up options to be in sync with the grid/size of the block.

Hen3rietta

The first thing you must do before starting is take a good look at the block you are trying to duplicate. It is necessary to visualize what the underlying gird is. As MTS said a 9-patch is based on a 3x3 grid. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out the base grid. I've encountered a couple of 7x7, 11x11, 25x25 and so on. A good resource is one of the block encyclopedias like Barbara Brackman's which organizes the blocks by grid size. Often you can find the block you are trying to make or a precursor block in it.

Once you've determined your underlying grid size, plug that number into the "block" size spot. Don't worry if you want your block to be 8" or 12" or whatever, you can resize the block at will. The primary focus is to get the pattern drawn.

Then make the "grid number" the same as the block size and the same with the "snap" to point number. The graph number is really what is most important because that is the visual netting on which you will draw your design. If you need to have midway points to snap to, make the grid/snap number double the amount of the size or graph numbers. This will give you an additional snap point between each graph line and in the center of each graph square.

After this try drawing your block. If it doesn't look quite right, you may have mistaken a 5x5 for a 4x4. Some blocks are very hard to tell apart.

When you finished with a block that is right, you can change the size when you go to the print window. Just plug in whatever size you want the block to be and that is how it will print.

Hope this helps :-)
Diana

seweasy

Thank you both so much! I can't believe I actually understand what you saying, it's almost like some math formula that you know there is an answer but when the light finally comes on, you say oh, is that it works!!! I will get on Amazon and order one of Barbara's books. Take care, Chris

sandyl

Can I save and email a foundation pattern with the numbers on the pattern? I know how to print it; but what if I want to send it to a friend who does not have EQ7. Just curious as to whether or not this is even possible. Thanks, I'm new to EQ7.

Hen3rietta

Not directly. However, if you have an intermediary program like adobe PDF or one of the freeware pdf files you can go into "printer setup" and choose that as your printer from the drop down list. Then go back to your block and go to "print" choose "foundation" and print. You can then send this file via your preferred email as a pdf or use another program to convert it to a jpeg. I would leave it as pdf because a pfd file will give you a reliable 100% pattern to print off.

Diana

MTS

You need to print it to file, and convert it to a .pdf file (if you don't have a converter, there are free ones online).

check out this prior topic for helpful details:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-62007-1.htm

sandyl

Thank you!

hoppyfrog

I'm not affilated with Quilt University in anyway but wanted to let you know they have reasonably priced classes for EQ6 & EQ7. I'm doing the EQ7 Sampler class right now and in just one lesson (there are four) I have learned so much. Great teacher and easy print outs to follow.

seweasy

Hi!Shelley, All you 6&7 owners are so lucky! I didn't know anything about Quilt University until after they had stopped having lessons for Version 5. But I'm also a day late, and a dollar short!!! From what I've heard they have great classes, and very easy to follow. Take care, Chris