Part 1: Straight Sets: You have quilt blocks galore...Now what?
Quilt Designs Quilt tops that are visually busy because of piecing or fabric choices are more suited to an edge-to-edge (overall) pattern. When one considers the quilting will not be as visible because of the busyness of the top, try an overall to keep cost down. Also, choose a more organic design with a visually linear quilt, and with quilts. Electric Quilt(R) 5: Complete Quilt Design Software. 3.3 out of 5 stars 19. Big Blocks, Big Quilts: 11 Easy Quilts with Layer Cake 10' x 10' Squares (Design Originals) Beginner-Friendly, Easy-to-Follow Instructions and Variations, plus Assembly Diagrams and Color Photos. Quilt Design Software Programs Advanced From the same company as the Quilt Design Wizard is the Electric Quilt 7 design software. It’s a much more advanced software program and it can be a bit of a learning curve using it. Having said that, the videos, support and help are pretty comprehensive, with the included help videos. This app simplifies and speeds up the process of designing, building, and finishing a quilt. If you're like me, you like creating quilts. Sometimes, you use a pattern and every step is finely. If you are a beginner, something like Quilting Studio - online software for quilt design is your best value. It gives you the ability to try out different designs using many different blocks, fabrics, borders and sashing. You select the size of the quilt (from King on down to Twin or a 9 block quilt).
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Choosing quilt layouts is a fundamental part of the design process, whether you're just beginning or have been designing for a long time.
The layout determines how many blocks and borders you need, as well as, how big each can or should be, in order to create a quilt the size you need.
On this page, you'll discover how design is effected using:
- Blocks set edge-to-edge
- Alternate block layouts
At the bottom of this page are links to free resources on this website to help you decide how many blocks you'll need and what size the finished quilt should be to cover your bed.
Let's get started.
My Favorite Quilt Design Software
All the free patterns and block/quilt illustrations on this site were created in either EQ7 or EQ8—my favorite quilt design software.
This program makes it so easy to audition different colors and values with just a few mouse clicks.
Rotate and flip the blocks with another series of clicks.
I can't imagine going back to graph paper and colored pencils.
Or worse yet—simply keeping my fingers crossed. Fabric is much too expensive!
The box contains a software download license—License ID and Password—and a booklet to get you through installation and get you started. There is no disk as in the past.
Download the software onto your computer from the EQ website using the ID and password as directed. At the time of download you can choose either PC or MAC.
I LOVE Electric Quilt!
I hope you do to.
Layout Determines the Amount of Work
It is that big a deal!
There are two basic quilt block layouts:
Straight sets where the blocks are laid out in horizontal rows and vertical columns, or...
On-point sets where the blocks are laid in diagonal rows and columns.
For two equal size quilts with equal sized blocks,
straight sets require more whole, finished blocks.
Read on to learn about straight sets with several variations, as well as get pointers for the layout.
With this information in hand, you'll be able to make the best use of your design and quilting time.
Straight Sets
A straight set quilt layout is created from horizontal rows of the same size quilt blocks that can be set edge to edge or with alternate blocks that are either solid, pieced or appliqued.
In the examples that follow, we'll use the '54-40 or Flight' quilt block (shown to the right) that is drawn on a 3x3 grid.
[Learn how to make it here.]
Edge to Edge Sets
In its most simple form the blocks in a straight set are sewn edge to edge...one block right next to the other...as shown below.
Look for blocks that form a secondary pattern at the corners. It adds more interest to the finished quilt--more bang for your piecing buck--without any increase in difficulty or sewing time.
In our example, this look-alike (shown right) for an 'uneven 9 patch' is formed at the corners.
Quilts made from blocks set this way can contain either even or odd numbers of blocks in both the rows and columns without any effect on the symmetry or balance of the quilt design.
Some blocks are almost always set edge to edge. Visit these pages for inspiration and to see specific quilt layouts:
Quilt Design Paper
- Rail Fence
Helpful Hint
If you choose to set your blocks edge-to-edge, take the time to make two blocks and then figure how to press the seams so that they'll nest or abut. Matching seams is so much easier when the seam allowances nest.
Alternate Blocks
Our first variation to the straight set quilt layout is to set every other block with a solid square of fabric instead of a pieced block. This square is cut the same size as the unfinished pieced quilt block.
To maintain the symmetry or balance in the quilt design, use an odd number of blocks in both the rows and columns. With odd numbers, the same block is always in all four outside corners.
There are several options for your alternate block.
Using solid, unpieced blocks
Quilts with solid, alternate blocks are faster to piece. With just half the blocks to stitch you cut your piecing time in half.
But as you'll see in the quilt pictured below, alternate blocks, when cut from solid looking fabrics, literally scream to be quilted with something fabulous.
We've chosen a 'zinnia' design here to fill them.
The reality is, if you're a beginning quilter, you might not be to the point in your quilting journey that you're ready to do this type of free motion quilting.
If you're more experienced, you might not want to take the time to design the quilting for the block, mark all of them and then do the free motion stitching.
What's a quilter to do?
Quilt Design Program
Solve the problem by...
...using a busy fabric for your alternate square.
It's a tried and true principle that quilt stitches don't show up well against busy fabrics.
Award-winning quilters frequently use 'busy backs' on their competition quilts because the pattern of the fabric disguises the many starts and stops, tying off and traveling in their quilts.
We use that principle here...except on the front.
Notice in the image below that with this moderately busy alternate square, the quilting lines are camouflaged.
At this point you have two alternatives.
- Use the busy alternate squares as a place to 'practice for real' on your free motion quilting skills.
When I teach free motion quilting, I instruct my students to 'practice' free motion quilting on real quilts whenever they can. That way they develop the skill to move a large quilt under the needle.
If you only ever work on small practice quilt sandwiches, you won't develop that skill. These busy alternate blocks are the perfect place to practice, if you have the time. Or...
- Just quilt simple lines between all the blocks. Then add grid quilting to completely quilt all the blocks with a 3x3 grid. All the stitching on the quilt below can be done with a walking foot.
Either choice for the quilting gets the quilt finished.
It really comes down to a decision on how much time you want or can take and your current comfort level with your quilting skill set.
Now if you're feeling more adventurous, try...
Using pieced alternate blocks
Find blocks that form interesting secondary patterns (EQ8 is GREAT for playing with block designs. You can change things so fast--all of the quilt illustrations on this website are drawn with EQ7 and now EQ8. And it comes for Mac, too!)
Look for blocks based on the same grid—think 'graph paper' squares.
Our original block, '54-40 or Fight', is drawn on a 3x3 grid. Our alternate block, 'Mrs. Brown's Choice', (below, right) is also drawn on a 3x3 grid.
[Learn how to make a Mrs. Brown's Choice here.]
Quilt Design Wizard
Using an alternate pieced block reduces piecing boredom--the piecing is divided between two different quilt block patterns.
It also offers the opportunity to change the whole look of the quilt.
And in the quilt below, the use of the two different blocks even disguises the lines between quilt blocks.
Reminder: We use an uneven number of blocks in both the rows and columns to maintain the symmetry of the quilt design. The same block appears in all four corners.
Wow! That's spectacular!!
Simple, straight set quilt layouts deliver stunning results!
Quilt Design
How many blocks will I need?
To help you calculate how many quilt blocks you'll need for a straight set quilt layout, check out this article, 'How Many Quilt Blocks Do I Need For...'.
The cheat sheets include coverlets with both a 13' and 16' drop along with a bedspread length that falls close to the floor.
There are examples on how to use the worksheets.
Click here for the free download for an instructions set, Twin, Twin XL, Full/Double, Double XL, Queen, King and/or California King block totals or any combination that you need.
For information about Standard Quilt Sizes and a printable chart, click here.
Watch it on video!
For a quick review, grab a cup of coffee or tea, click on the Quilt Layouts video below...
...and enjoy!
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Are you trying to decide which quilting program to use? You've come to the right place. There are quite a few to choose from. The best one for you depends on what you need your program to do. Let's get started.
Which quilt software is best for beginners?
If you are a beginner, something like Quilting Studio - online software for quilt design <http://www.QuiltingStudio.com> is your best value. It gives you the ability to try out different designs using many different blocks, fabrics, borders and sashing. You select the size of the quilt (from King on down to Twin or a 9 block quilt). The program will calculate the amount of each fabric you will need and you can easily print out the result. You can even upload your own fabric samples to be included. Another great feature is that (since it is online software) you can get started using it immediately over the web. It is very easy to use. All this for about $9.99.
Which are the best for more advanced users?
If you need more advanced functions like customized layouts, laying out photos on your quilt, or you want to a program with which you draw the quilt block yourself, the top of the line choice is Electric Quilt - EQ8 <http://www.electricquilt.com>. It will do just about anything that any quilt program on the market can do. Of course, learning all the features and functions can take some time and commitment. But, if you are an expert quilter, you won't go wrong with Electric Quilt. Electric Quilt's retail price is $240.00.
The other most capable program is QuiltPro <http://www.quiltpro.com> Thisis the same company that brought you 1-2-3-Quilt. Quilt Pro also hasadvancedfeaturesfordrawingyourownquiltblockandconvertingyourdesign to a graphic file of your choice. It is a little easier to use than ElectricQuilt but you should check into exactly which advanced features you need. Again,theuserguidethatcomeswiththeprogramisamassivevolumebutyouwon'thaveto readthewholethingbeforeyou get started. This program has been more likely to crash thanElectricQuilt but the latest version is greatly improved. QuiltPro's retail price is $150.00.
What about these other programs?
The next program, VQuilt <http://www.vquilt.com> is now defunct. It was a less expensive watered-down version of the big full featured programs. It has some of the features of each of the other programs. . VQuilt's retailprice was $39.95.
Again, PCQuilt <http://www.pcquilt.com> is now defunct. It was similar but not as capable as the two big full featured programs. PCQuilt's retail price was $75.00.
Quiltsoft <http://www.quiltsoft.com> is an outdated program that simply does not compete. Quiltsoft's retail price is about $99.00.
Thank you for visiting. Please provide your comments about this site or any quilt software to questions@quilting-software.com