iQ Project #2, part 4.

This is part 4 of the project with the third video. I have advanced my quilt and am ready to stitch all the patterns within my reach. I start with the stitch in the ditch, which stabilises the quilt somewhat. I move on to add more line patterns. 

In the square, 4 swags create a new motif. This could be re-created using a perfect block on iQ as a guide and then saved to be used as a block pattern in the future. Triangular patterns, or any point to point pattern can be combined in this way to make new patterns for blocks.

Marking the block helps in sizing the patterns correctly when I first place them. If my quilt is pieced pretty accurately, I will not need to mark any blocks after this. 

Now, I can hear some of you questioning why I didn't keep the large triangle stitch in the ditch pattern and just convert it to a block for the clipping block. My answer is simply - quilt draw up. Once that stitch in the ditch was sewn, my quilt would have moved ever so slightly - it would have been drawn in. I also stitched several more patterns before getting to the clipping block, which would have also moved my quilt. It was safer to mark-on-quilt the block for the clipping block.

You'll also notice that I didn't pay attention to the heights of the patterns that I had carefully written down. I often just look at the patterns on my screen and guess which one is correct, but I need to get into the habit of referring to my notes in order to place the correct pattern. iQ will remember everything so I need to remove the patterns with the incorrect heights to avoid mistakes or confusion. Let's see if I remember to do that in the next episode.

iQ Project #2, part 3. The quilting begins.

This video instalment shows how to use a presentation clicker when placing patterns, and when changing patterns. If you do not have a clicker, you can, ofcourse, just touch the buttons. Touch 'ok' each time you have placed a pattern, and touch the button labeled 'pattern' when you want to change the pattern. 

I use 'Flip Y' to change the orientation of the continuous curves - I am saying that on the video but I'm a bit quiet.

I find the clicker allows me to be more accurate because I am not running the risk of moving my machine slightly when I touch the on screen buttons. However, I used iQ for years quite successfully before getting a clicker so don't feel you have to get one.

In this video I stitch in the ditch, stitch the top border and part way down the sides, and stitch continuous curves in the small squares.

NOTE: A very good question was asked about how I decided to make one repeat of the border equal 4 squares of the inner border. I omitted counting the inner border squares in the video to show how I decided. There were 16 squares so I knew I could make each repeat of the swag border pattern equal to either 2 or 4 squares. 4 was best for this swag. 

iQ Project #2, part 2 - the Line Pattern Project. Loading the patterns.

This is a screenshot of the finished project. 

We will only be using line pattern and clipping block for this project. All the patterns have been created by me and can be downloaded from this link line pattern project patterns 

The pattern file includes the quilt map, which we will not be using for this project but I have included it because you might like to use it in the future for designing your own quilts.

Once you've downloaded the patterns to your computer, look for the quilt map which has the suffix .iqq. Move this to a folder titled quilts on your usb. If you do not have a quilts folder, just create one with that name.  

The patterns have the suffix .dxf and should be moved into the folder named patterns on your usb. 

I tried out several different patterns before deciding upon the ones shown in the screenshot - all my try-outs are included in the file.

This video should help with downloading the patterns and organising them on your iQ. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Check the patterns folder on your thumb drive - if there are patterns in it, either load them onto your tablet and then delete them from you thumb drive, or simply delete them if you've already loaded them onto your tablet.

Custom Quilting With Line Pattern. iQ Project #2. Part 1 - making the quilt.

If you wish to make this project, here are the directions. It is a small 40" by 40" finished quilt. The quilting will show really well on plain fabric, but of course, you can use whatever fabric you please. I just used some from my stash. (The two dots at the top are just pin heads.)

In this project we are using line pattern for the whole quilt.

Cutting and construction. 

The picture shows where the pieces are located. 

You will start in the middle with piece A and work your way out to the edges.

A – cut one 9” square.

B – cut one 10 ¼” square. 

Cut that square in half diagonally in both directions - from the upper left corner to the lower         right corner, and from the upper right corner to the lower left corner – making four triangles.

Sew the long edges of those four triangles to the sides of square A. 

Trim this square in square piece to 12 ½”.

 

C – cut one 13 ¾” square.

Cut this square in half diagonally in both directions, making four triangles.

Sew the long sides of the four triangles to the 12 ½” square in square piece you made in the previous step. (Refer to picture for placement)

Trim to 17 ½”.

 

Sashing - cut two strips of fabric 1 7/8” by 171/2”. Sew them to two opposite sides of the 17 ½” square.

Cut two strips of fabric 1 7/8” by 21 ¼”.

Sew them to the remaining two sides.

 

D – cut four 7 7/8” squares.

Cut each one in half diagonally.

 

E - cut four 7 ½” squares.

 

Sew two D triangles to each E square. (Refer to picture for placement.)

 

The piece should now measure 28 ½” by 28 ½”.

  

Inner border – cut sixty 2 ½” squares.

Sew 14 squares together for each of two borders.

Sew these to opposite sides of the 28 ½” quilt.

Sew 16 squares together for each of the remaining borders.

Sew these to the remaining sides of the quilt.

 

Measure your quilt at this point. If your quilt does not measure 32 ½” by 32 ½”, cut the length of your outer border pieces in the next step to match your quilt.

 

Outer Border – cut two strips of fabric 4 ½” by 32 ½”.

Sew them to two opposite sides of the quilt.

Cut two strips of fabric 4 ½” by 40 ½”.

Sew these to the remaining two sides of the quilt.