Have you heard of Electric Quilt's EQ8 Block Spotlight? Every month a different block from the EQ8 Block Library is highlighted (did you know there are over 6,000 blocks built in to EQ8?). A few designs are shown using the featured block, then Jenny at EQ issues a design challenge to play with the block and create your own quilt.
Here is this month's featured block: Chicago Star.
And here are the 2 designs done by Jenny at EQ. They give you an idea of how many different possibilities there are.
I had fun playing with the Chicago Star. For me, it's a lot different to design and play with no pressure. I am not planning to turn this quilt into a pattern - so all the detailed consideration that go into quilt design when creating a pattern is lifted. For me, simply playing with design and color is a welcome breath of fresh air!
I even took it one step further. I wanted to just play with design, without any obligation to turn this design into an actual quilt. These design exercises are a great way to figure out new features of EQ8 and to enjoy creating purely for creating's sake. I don't normally include appliqué blocks in my designs, so I added a little something different to this sketch. I love lattice quilts.
Check out this post to see everyone's designs using the Chicago Star. It's a great way to get those creative juices flowing! You can link up your design and see what others are up to too.
Use the code EQ8CHANY to save 20% off any product, including EQ8. Visit EQ here.
Ready to get sewing? START HERE
AnneMarie Chany is an author and pattern designer who teeters on both sides of the modern and traditional quilting line. She loves using bright colors and solid fabrics while nodding to traditional blocks. On the website, you'll find many resources to inspire and get you sewing right away like free quilt patterns, the Quilt Block Library with links to 350+ free quilt block tutorials, Block of the Month Clubs, and the Quilt Pattern Shop with clear detailed instructions to make your quilting easy and fun.
"all I need is fabric and coffee. and maybe chocolate too. yeah, definitely chocolate. let's create!"