Electric Quilt has brought out a new add-on block program called Quilt Journeys which expands the block library greatly. The blocks are representative of all 50 states, with not only pieced block designs, but also applique shapes for the state birds, flowers and more. Of course, I had to start with North Carolina. For this one, there are applique shapes for the state outline, a cardinal, a pine cone, and dogwood blossoms.

There are a number of Carolina Lily designs in the North Carolina section. There are also other blocks that have names related to North Carolina, like a Raleigh block and two different NC Beauty blocks. I started playing around with some, doing different colorings and seeing which blocks would tesselate. This one was interesting. I put the NC block in the middle.

As with every time I pull up EQ8, I learn something new. This time, it was how to use the Layer 2 feature to add appliques to a design. I started by creating a file for a new quilt set on point, so all the lily blocks would be upright. I filled in all the block spaces, and moved them around until I liked the arrangement.

Then I decided the center should be a different block, so I changed it out to another one.

When I am ready to begin cutting fabrics, the system gives cutting charts by color for each block.

Then I thought it would be fun to put the outline of North Carolina in the center. I used the block provided, but it kept showing up sideways due to the on-point setting. It was then that I realized, I needed to figure out the applique tools on Layer 2 to get the design I wanted. Below the quilt image, you can see I’ve clicked on Layer 2, and now I can put the applique in its place.

Going back to the design tab, I could use the Adjust tool to resize it and move it to the center of the block.

When I am ready to do the applique, I can print the template. The shape includes the seam allowance for needleturn. It prints in the exact size that I have specified on the design.

So, my finished design looks like this.

This amazing add-on contains 745 block designs. There are hundreds of historical quilt blocks with names that associate them with each U.S. state or Canadian province or territory; dozens of appliqué blocks in the shape of all 50 U.S. states and the 13 Canadian provinces and territories; and over 100 appliqué motifs depicting the official birds, trees (represented by leaves), and flowers for each state, province, and territory. There are also 8 EQ project files containing a total of 44 quilts organized by size (queen, twin, king, sampler, etc.). It is an amazing bargain at $34.95 for current EQ8 owners.

Don’t own EQ8 software yet? Now is the time to buy it, because it is on sale!! From March 1-21, save 20% off sitewide  on all products at ElectricQuilt.com with code QUILTING, including Quilt Journeys! Subscriptions and classes excluded. Check out the program at ElectricQuilt.com and take a peek at the other add-ons, like Block Base and Kaleidoscope.

I like this quilt enough that I might actually make this one! What do you think?