Monday, September 14, 2015

It's My Day For EQ7 Seasons Row-A-Long

"You've Got A Friend" by James Taylor kept running through my head all summer long
as I sewed the winter, spring, summer, and fall rows for the EQ7 Seasons Row-A-Long.
"You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend."

I love that song!

I'm so grateful for my friends in the blogging world.
You make my days so much better! Speaking of bloggy friends...

Marian at Seams To Be Sew has worked hard to get amazing sponsors for this blog hop
and has kept us all motivated to create and share our rows with you. Thanks, Marian!
More thanks go to her helpers, Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy and Bea at Beaquilter!

To stay in the loop of this blog hop you can join us on
  Facebook and Flickr.

When Amy asked me to play with her and the other EQ7 pros, I was so excited I just said, "YES!" Then I freaked out a little and told her I was still learning so maybe I shouldn't do this. She said it was okay that I hadn't mastered EQ7 and that I could still join in. Thanks, Amy! 

It's been a little intimidating to work with the other ladies who are so very talented, but I've had a lot of fun playing along and seeing their creative rows come to life in fabric. As for my row and my knowledge of EQ7, as a beginner I only know the basics of working in it. But some of it is so easy, I wasn't afraid to just go for it and play around. If you've been afraid to use your EQ, DON'T BE! They have videos to watch and there are lots of tips and tutorials on the web.

Some of the designers (including me) jumped in to make a whole quilt using some of the rows that had been created. I wish I could have used them all, but it would have been a seriously HUMONGOUS QUILT! I'll be showing my whole quilt on October 6th, but here's a pic of what my paper pieced fall row looked like before it was added to my quilt. It's made with Artisan Spirit fabrics from NorthcottThe colors are amazing and the fabric was perfect for the whole quilt!

The finished row measures 7" x 60"


One of the reasons I bought EQ7 in the first place was because I heard it was easy to create paper pieced blocks. I enjoy paper piecing, so this was definitely a software program I HAD to have!

If the thought of paper/foundation piecing scares you, I totally get it. I was terrified the first time, too! There are several ways to do it, but I learned how to paper piece by checking out these websites.

Sew Hooked's Resources HERE.

Carol Doak's tutorial HERE.

Crafty Gemini's tutorial HERE.

What my fall EQ7 pumpkin patterns look like:

To get started I clicked on the icon "Work on Block." 



Please remember, I'm no pro at this, but I knew that as in any paper piece pattern, the lines had to 
connect to other lines. When you click on the pencils on the left it lets you drag and draw lines.
Mine is a simple block, but it was an easy one for me to learn on.


You can color your block by clicking on the "Color" tab at the bottom of the screen. EQ7 includes 
some fabrics and colors for you practice with, but you can also download fabrics, which was 
great for me because I could see what some of the Northcott fabrics looked like in my blocks.


One nice thing about EQ7 is that I am able to print out my patterns in a paper piecing/foundation 
format with the numbers already there. It also allows me to move the numbers if necessary.


You can see the heart pumpkin prints out in four sections.
Each part within the sections have numbers to show you the order to sew them.
The four sections get sewn together to create the pumpkin heart.

The plain heart has two sections with numbers which will be sewn together.
The flying geese pattern is so easy...just one piece!

Just a thought...adding an appliqued heart to the plain pumpkin block instead of paper piecing the
heart block is a short cut and still makes for a fun block. Plus, the plain heart is pretty easy to sew!



Trace the heart on the non fusible side of fusible webbing.


Iron webbing to the wrong side of fabric with the fusible side down
(follow manufacturers instructions for fusing.)


Cut out heart along the lines.


Iron heart, fusible side down, to center of completed pumpkin.


Zig-zag stitch or blanket stitch around the edges. Repeat on all three pumpkins.
I just love the rich, deep red of Northcott's Artisan Spirit Falling Leaves - Autumn Harvest.
Thanks, Northcott, for sending me some of this beautiful fabric and the Toscana, too!

Northcott's Artisan Spirit Falling Leaves # 5071-25


If you don't feel like creating your own paper pieced blocks, there are quite a
few patterns  included with the EQ7 software...how great is that!
Look! There's even a paper pieced Jack-O-Lantern included in the patterns!



To find other patterns, open "Libraries" and click on the drop down "Block Library."


A "Block Libraries" box will pop up on the screen. Click on "03 Foundation Pieced" and 
you'll see quite a few categories of blocks made specifically for paper/foundation piecing.


 If you find yourself running out of your sewing room screaming in spite of tutorials and other
instructions you've read about paper/foundation piecing, EQ7 offers another alternative--templates.

Besides printing your block as a foundation pattern, EQ7 lets you select "Templates" to print out 
the exact shape and size templates you'll need to create blocks. It's a pretty cool feature, I think! 


These are the flying geese templates and key box. Some knowledge of sewing is required when
working with these templates because that information is not included when printing them out in
EQ7. Luckily, this is a fairly easy piece to sew together, especially if you look at the key box.
All pieces are sewn together with a scant 1/4" seam.

I printed my templates on freezer paper and ironed them to the right side of my fabrics.
You will need to cut this number of pieces out of your fabric for EACH block:

A - 2 pieces
B - 3 pieces
C - 3 pieces
D - 3 pieces


Template "B" is sewn to "D" and pressed open. *Pay attention to the direction you connect them.



Template "C" is sewn on "B" and "D" and pressed open.
Repeat to get three flying geese.



Sew geese together as shown below:


Sew the two "A" templates to the sides of the flying geese.


This is what the pumpkin templates look like.



It includes a key box to know which pieces are which.

You will need to cut this number of pieces out of your fabric for EACH block:

A - 1 piece
B - 1 piece
C - 2 pieces
D - 1 piece
E - 1 piece
F - 4 pieces
G - 2 pieces
H - 2 pieces
I - 2 pieces

Sew "A" to "B".
Sew both "C" pieces to the corners of "D". 
Sew "E" to the "C" and "D" piece.
Sew the A-B piece to the C-D-E piece.
Press seams flat. Set aside.

Sew the H-G-I pieces together in the following order as indicated in the key box:
H - I - G - G - I - H

Sew an "F" template piece to each corner of the H - I - G - G - I - H section.
Press seams flat.

Sew both sections together as shown in key box. Press seams open.

Add the heart shown above to three of the pumpkin blocks, if desired.

To make my fall row, click below to download PDF pattern.
It will include the paper pieced patterns and templates for pumpkins and flying geese.


You can download the pattern HERE.

or you can leave me a comment and I will email it to you. 


AND NOW...THREE GIVEAWAYS!



The Fat Quarter Shop is generously giving away a $25 gift certificate to one 
lucky winner who enters the giveaway below. Thanks Fat Quarter Shop!
You can only enter once at this blog. Multiple entries will be disqualified.



 Northcott fabrics is giving one lucky recipient, 6-8 pieces of fabric at 1 yard lengths each.
You may  only enter once. In other words, if you enter it here, do not enter it at the other blogs.
This giveaway is at all the featured blogs today.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Margie, from Ribbon Candy Quilt Company, is giving away
three of her adorable patterns to one very lucky winner. Thanks, Margie!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you will be joining in the fun of creating your own choice of rows for a quilt, runner, or
whatever your creative mind allows! The options and ideas are endless for all these blocks and rows!

Check out these blogs for all the other rows being created:

SEPTEMBER 1







SEPTEMBER 8


SEPTEMBER 15


More rows are coming!

SEPTEMBER 22

SEPTEMBER 29


OCTOBER 6

SHOW ‘N TELL DAY
But wait! 
There's another giveaway if you make a block or row!

Nancy’s Notions or Craftsy Gift Certificates
Craftsy Class value $40 based on average class cost. Three individual winners. 
Nancy Notions certificate value$10. Two individual winners. 
One entry per day per drawing (max of 2 entries per day). Must add a NEW unique block/row to the 

Flickr group for each entry (max of 2 blocks/rows per day). Duplicate entries will be disqualified.
Entries accepted until Oct 13. Winners announced Oct 14.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Pattern, PDF, photos: ©2015 - Carol Swift - All Rights Reserved - Just Let Me Quilt
Pattern is for personal and non-profit use only. Not for sale or distribution.

28 comments:

  1. Your row is so pretty. Thanks for the pattern. I hope I have time to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Pumpkins are cute with the hearts. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh your pumpkins are so cute! Love your row.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for such a cute row! I love the herts on the pumpkins!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You went all out, my friend!! The instructions and pattern look so easy to follow I will have to make a pumpkin or two ;) Lucky for me, I already have oranges pulled from Patty's qal.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You really outdid yourself, Carol! This is such a delightful fall row. And your tutorial is just brimming with great information. Thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your pumpkin row! And your tutorial looks so easy to follow. I only have EQ5, but really love it. I've never learned to do much with it, but making blocks for PP is my main use. Can't wait to see your finished quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your row. Thank you so much for the detail in creating your row, and the free download. I enjoy paper piecing. Thank you for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What an AMAZING tutorial Carol, it is really awesome along with your row, you've created a wonderful page for visitors today. I can't wait to see what you do in the future my friend. I also want to take a moment and thank you sew much for participating in this Row Along with me and the others. It's been such a blast and sew much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's so good to see you again. I've missed our group of fabulously talented ladies! Great row and what a wonderful tutorial. I really need to shake the dust off my EQ7 and learn to make friends!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your pumpkins. you did a great job. thanks for the pattern
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  12. As soon as I got down to your row I exclaimed "OH!" and then laughed at myself for reacting so loudly :) But I do really like it Carol, and thank you for sharing the pattern.
    ~Brandy

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like your row, but when I click on the "picture" for the PDF download, all it does is reload this page. I have tried several times. Is there another way to get the PDF file?

    senstrings (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great tutorial! loved how you showed all the options!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really like your row, and all the rows.
    Great tutorial, thanks
    cork@pa.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I agree, I can't get the PDF NOR the EQ7 file! Can you email them to me?

    threadlady@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Funny, I think Google Drive is on the fritz today. I've tried and tried, just can't get the pdf file. I managed the EQ7 file, though I haven't checked it. Very nice row, I love the pumpkins!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yay, Google Drive is happy again. :-) Thanks Carol!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great seasonal pumpkin row! Thanks for the tutorial and the tips, too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. It wouldn't be fall without pumpkins! Your row looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a great row - just in time for fall and Hallowe'en. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your row is great. I was just looking for a cute fall design to paper piece and there was yours. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great row! I'm getting all excited about Fall! Beth @ Words & Stitches, pbstrand@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm back in time to put my row up tomorrow. I see you made it back and posted your fantastic row. Love it Carol! I can't wait to use your row as a fall project.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are always appreciated!

New Blog Hop Signup Alert

It's always sad to see a blog hop challenge end, but there's always another one in the works. Thank you to everyone for joining in t...