You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run.
Kenny Rodgers
************!!!!!!!!
I blanked out the words I expressed after sewing this project together
after weeks of working on this ********* thing. I obviously didn't add enough for a seam allowance on the trees. This is for a challenge I was going to participate in that requires making a row quilt that is 40" X 12" and pattern of the project to give away of the area where I live.
My thought was to do this landscape and make 4 of them, each in the different seasons of Vermont colors.
Sewn together in theory they would make the 40 inches.
Includes a barn and a little house. Separately they aren't bad but trying to get the pattern to come out measuring 40" after sewing together is not working. I suppose I could add a half inch or so to the trees but then I have to go thru changing the pattern which is a process since I don't do these in a computer program plus, I've been working on this way to long and am beginning to hate it so it's going to be banished to the shelf. Time to walk away and move on.
I think a lot of people participating in the row challenge have EQ, the quilt computer designing program. EQ wouldn't be worth it for me because I do mostly applique although I think they do have an applique feature.
Do you have EQ? How do you like it? How is the applique feature? Do you draw your own designs with it?
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Yes, I have EQ 7. I bought once they had a Mac version. I used it to work out the layout of Sunrise Abstraction. You can create appliqué patterns with it. Personally, I find it clunky. I do like it for design block based quilts. I did a whole series of quilts based on blocks that blend when positioned side by side. Periodically, I go back to that. EQ is a god send - allowing me to create an overall blueprint and it works out the cut size of each piece. Looking at the piece that is giving you conniptions, I believe it is simple enough to be able to design on EQ 7. The reality is that all software, be it EQ or Corel Draw or Photoshop require an investment of time to learn and just when you learn them those techie geniuses redo the interface. There is a lot to be said for graph paper, a #2 pencil and an eraser.
ReplyDeleteI can empathize with your pattern scaling problem, as I just recently went through something similar. I usually just sketch my patterns life-size on paper, but recently I was making patterns for a workshop and wanted them to look more decent. After a lot of research and trial and error I learned how to trace a sketch photo in Inkscape, which is free vector drawing software for Mac. You get a clean vector image which can be scaled to any size. I think it could work in your case too))
ReplyDeleteI certainly think this idea is worth pursuing, when you can stand to look at it again. I love EQ7 for blocks and quilts, but I've done very little applique with it.
ReplyDeleteI have had EQ since the 5 version. I love it. There are a number of appliqué blocks that I don't use,though. The section is wasted upon me. But I like to get a layout down, then shift it a billion ways to see what else I can find.
ReplyDeleteI also use it to test blocks I see. Sometimes it is easier to buy the pattern!
It gives me a jumping off point in how much fabric to use. But there is no instruction based language on how to make the blocks.
I love to play Quilt Designer with it. There are som groups who use EQ more deeply than I could conceive. Go to the EQ site and look at some of the things they designed,you can see how it it usable.
And make your decision there.
Carol what a great concept! I luv your seasons quilt!!
ReplyDeleteCan u put a sashing strip between panels? Hopefully you have more tree bark fabric? It will work. Definitely it's worth finishing!!!
I also have EQ7, but find it is not an intuitive program for me. I've worked through hours of lessons, but it's still difficult to navigate. I realize I'm not giving you anything helpful, but I felt frustrated when so many people raved about it. I don't like it.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, my trusty notebook and graph paper are the best tools when doing I need to do the math. Also, I'm a fan of making an outline with string on my design wall, or a tissue paper outline I pin to my work surface. I can keep a good eye on whether I'm 'in the window'. I know it's as low tech as it comes, but that's what works for me. I believe that even if I have the numbers with EQ7, I would be using my frames to make sure I hadn't made a measuring mistake.
And I've had a major ooops like yours just this week. Bet we used the same words to express ourselves. Hmmm.
Julie