Designing quilts has become a bit of an addiction. I really enjoy the ability to take blocks and play with them before cutting any fabric. I use EQ7 software to create my designs for the mystery quilts, and some of the other quilts and table runners I have shared. Recently, I was playing with it, and I think I actually have next year’s mystery quilt close to completion! I am liking this new design a lot! Plus there are a couple more things in process that I will be sharing soon. Remember the Christmas Quilt Along?
That design turned into this table runner.
The Maple Star Table Topper for Moda was designed in EQ7 too. Click on the link on the sidebar for a free pattern.
Each month this year, the EQ7 folks are sponsoring giveaways and contests to celebrate their 25th anniversary. If you want a chance to win an EQ7 software package, click on EQ7 25th Anniversary to see how you can win an EQ7, and other great prizes. Just so you know, this is not a sponsored post, I am not receiving anything from EQ7 for telling you how to win.
If you are a quilter, you are a designer too, even if you don’t use software. When you use a published pattern, you still are a designer, as you choose the colors and prints to use. You make your project your own. Same pattern, but very different interpretations.
How do you design your quilts?
From My Carolina Home 
I design through color and fabric. If I find a color really speaking to me, I will look for a design to showcase it. If I find a fabric that I just love, I hoard it until it tells me what to do with it. And sometimes when I am gifted with a fabric I just don’t care for, I play with it until I find it’s best buddy to work with it. I spend a lot of time dreaming!!! LOL
I use graph paper and a calculator and my rulers 😀
This looks like a great program for designing quilts.
I try to make a few test blocks, to make sure I like the colors and then I snap a photo and duplicate it on my compooter
Have a marvelous day. It is super drabby here
I find designs online – photos of quilts I really love. I deconstruct them, mostly in my head and with pen and paper, redesign what I want in it, then put together what I want to do. All manual math and pen and paper. I know – crazy. But the puzzling and the geometry appeals, so that’s what I do. Beyond that, I go where the fabric and the inspiration take me. I also spend a lot of time dreaming. 🙂
Thanks for the links – I’ve signed up and hope to win ‘something’ 🙂
Good Morning Carole! You know how much I love all of the projects that you have shared with us! I will give it a try and see if I can win one of these amazing tools to design quilt blocks. My first Mystery Quilt experience with you is still covering our bed and we both love it! Then the Christmas Table Topper pattern that you shared, I finally got the binding all hand stitched on and it is going to be a Christmas present for one of the girls this year. I know Deanna and I both want to make several more! Now we are anxiously awaiting the next clue for this years Mystery Quilt (which reminds me, I still have a few more pictures to post on Flickr). I have designed some quilt blocks off of other quilt blocks by just changing pieces and such. I have also designed several Hand Embroidered blocks and those are always fun. But mainly I chose a pattern, then I chose the fabrics that I want to use. Sometimes with this, I will create a special sashing or a special border for the quilt. Quilting is always a blast!
Thank you for sharing all of your fabulous Quilt Designs you have created with us! They are Spectacular and such inspiration! It makes feel all smiley happy knowing how much joy you get out of designing on the EQ7. Have a fantastic creative day Carole in whatever you do!
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I WON my EQ7 from competing in the 2011 McCall’s Design Star Contest. I’m still learning to use it. Thanks for joining the Celebration.
You do such lovely work!
I am so happy there are numerous talented people like yourself that design patterns for the likes of me. I don’t have the desire or patience to design a pattern. I love to sew and make all kinds of things from patterns both for sale and free. I appreciate the time it takes to design a pattern every time I use one. Thank you designers!
Beautiful quilt blocks Carole! I have been using EQ since it was 3 or 4 and it is the great program!
Super fun post, packed with beautiful quilts and #CreativeGoodness. Also fun to seeing everyone’s comments. Thanks for sharing and helping with the #EQ25 Anniversary Celebration.
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