Week 2 of 2015 EQ Seasons Row-A-Long, including Giveaway!

Overview of my five separating rows. Today you will get the pattern for the clamshell rows (2nd and 3rd from top).

Welcome to week 2 of the EQ Seasons Row-A-Long, in which over five weeks, a total of 20 EQ designers and bloggers will present you their designs (including free patterns) for quilt rows, showing something of their favorite Season. Find today’s schedule with direct links to each featured blogger at the end of this post, and make sure to visit them all!

Plus, there are fantastic giveaways, with many many prizes! Read all about the prizes and the rules here.

My Separating Row Design

Last week, my filler row had straight lines. Today’s row has curved lines. I am showing the row below in two color variations. You can piece the 3 inch clamshells, or appliqué them. In my free pattern I am giving you instructions for both piecing with Inklingo™, and for raw edge fusible machine applique.

3 inch clamshells symbolizing ginkgo leaves

 

3 inch clamshells symbolizing waves. The same row as above, only with a different coloring.

My notes on this design:

Clamshell Row – 3 inches high (20 whole clamshells).

Curved piecing (hand or machine) in a continuous pattern. Medium to Advanced skill level. Alternatively, you can use fusible raw edge machine applique for the two color version, and appliqué the clamshells on a background strip.

When I already had four filler rows designed, it occurred to me that the 3 inch Inklingo™  clamshells would make a very nice, original filler row. So I added this one as an extra option, especially for those who own the required Inklingo™ shape collections (Inklingo Clamshell 3 inch and Inklingo Clamshell Edges 3 inch).

And because I want to include everyone in the fun, I added instructions for a quick and simple machine appliqué technique, for which you only need the template on my free pdf pattern.

In short: You fuse the clamshell shapes to a strip of background piecing. And only after assembling your quilt sandwich, you stitch the leaves down with simple machine quilting along the inside edges of your appliqué. So it is appliquéing and quilting in one. Super quick!

But I think the effect of this separating row would be nicer when you piece the clamshells, and use two background fabrics, the ones used in the row above and below your clamshell row. This way, it will appear as if only the clamshells themselves are separating the rows above and below.

I am showing an example here with Seasonal blocks that I found in the EQ Libraries.

Example of my Clamshell separating row between two seasonal rows, using the background fabrics from the rows above and below for a floating effect.

You can also use this idea for a quick and modern row quilt, by alternating single strips of clamshells with unpieced strips. I am showing an example here:

Simple modern Clamshell Row quilt, original design by Annika Kornelis

In pastels this would be great for a baby quilt! If you like clamshell quilts, check out this post from 2010, with more of my clamshell quilt designs, especially for Inklingo.

My inspiration: the link with the Seasons theme

The two color version of the filler row symbolizes stylized Ginkgo leaves. The Ginkgo tree is a symbol of longevity, endurance, vitality, peace and hope.

When I thought of the Seasons theme, I thought of time passing, the ever recurring cycles of life and nature, and the hope that a new Spring brings. That seemed to fit with Ginkgo leaves very well. I used red and white, just because I like the fresh contrast of these colors.

3 inch clamshells symbolizing ginkgo leaves

The version in mixed shades of blue represents waves, which are lively and fascinating in all seasons. So you can use this row for any season, or between different seasons.

3 inch clamshells symbolizing waves. The same row as above, only with a different coloring.

My pattern

Download the FREE pdf pattern (4 pages), with fabric yardage requirements, appliqué template and sewing instructions here: Annika Kornelis – 201505 Instructions Clamshell Row.

My EQ7 Project File

You can download my project file (40.6 KB), with all 5 filler rows, through this link from Box.com. You will have to wait for the following weeks for the three remaining patterns that belong with this EQ project file.

Note: You can only open the file if you have EQ7 software. You don’t need the EQ file for participating in the Row-A-Long. It is simply a bonus for those who have EQ7 and would like to play with the designs, like change the colorings and combine several rows from different designers in one quilt layout.

My EQ7 tutorial: Searching for Notecard Information

In the previous tutorial I showed you where to find your Notecards. One of the uses of the Notecards is for searching in the EQ Libraries.

You can search for blocks in two ways:

• By Category (like ‘appliqué blocks’, ‘holiday blocks’, etc.)
• By Notecard.

The Notecard search function allows you to search for (part of) any information that is written on the Notecard.

You can search for information in the following three Notecard fields:

• Name field
• Reference field
• Notes field

By default, EQ searches in all three. By ticking or unticking the checkboxes for each option, you can limit or expand your search options.

I have made a screen recording for this tutorial that shows a Blocks Notecard Search. I recommend you watch this video on full screen, so you will be able to read the text. The video (34 seconds) has no sound, so I will talk you through what I am doing right here.

I will post the video again at the end of the tutorial, so you don’t have to scroll up to watch it again, if you missed something.

 

I click the Libraries Tab at the top of my screen. → A window opens with the names of all EQ Libraries.

I hover over ‘Block Library…’ with my mouse, until it turns blue. Then I click to select Block Library → The Block Libraries overview opens.

At the bottom of this box, you see two rows of buttons. The upper row contains the ‘Search’ button. It has two arrows on the right side, meaning more options will appear when you click this button.

I click the ‘Search’ button → Two more buttons appear: ‘By Notecard’ and ‘By Category’.

I hover my mouse over ‘By Notecard’→ it turns blue. I click to select this option → The ‘Search Block Notecard’ box appears.

It reads ‘Find all blocks with this notecard text’, with a textbox underneath. It has ‘star’ written in it, which happens to be the term I used for my previous search.

I click in the textbox and drag to select ‘star’→ ‘star’ turns blue. I type my new search term ‘6 inch’ directly over it.

I click on the checkbox in front of ‘Search the Name field’ → The tick mark disappears.

I click on the checkbox in front of ‘Search the Reference field’ → The tick mark disappears.

(By limiting my search options this way, EQ will finish its search quicker. I only want to find blocks which have ‘6 inch’ written in the Notes field. Similarly, you can search for a Block name only. If you click a checkbox again, the tick mark will appear again, and the default Notecard search option is restored.)

I click the ‘Search’ button → An hourglass icon appears, indicating EQ is searching the block libraries for my information.

When EQ has finished searching, a small notification pops up, saying. ‘Result of search for “6 inch”: 28 items’.

I click the OK button → The Block Libraries open the ‘Search Results’ tab.

I browse through the search results, by clicking and holding the little triangle next to the slider bar underneath the block overview.

I click on the ‘Pickled Clamshells’ block →  A blue line appears around it, to indicate the block is selected.

I click on the ‘Notecard’ button → The Block Notecard opens. You can see ‘6 inch’ is written in the Notes field.

I close the Block Notecard by clicking it on the top right button, marked with an X.

I close the Block Libraries, by clicking the ‘Close’ button.

End of screen recording.

Additional information:

If you want to use my tutorial for practicing on your own computer, you can copy the text above and paste it into a Word document. This way, you can print it and have it next to your screen.

You probably want to practice a Block Notecard search with something other than ‘6 inch’. If you try to search for ‘6 inch’ in your EQ, you will most likely come up with nothing. I have added most of the 6 inch blocks to the EQ Libraries myself, or I have recorded the preferred size information in the Block Notecard myself. This sort of information is not native to EQ, since you can print every block in any size. But I hope this shows you it can be very handy to record anything and everything in your Notecards!

Below, you can watch the 34 second video again:

In next weeks EQ Tutorial, I will show you another way of expanding (or limiting) your search results from the Libraries. See you then!

The giveaways (‘sweepstakes’ by law)

Remember, there are giveaways on the other participating blogs, too! Make sure to visit them all. Some of the giveaways are specific to one blog running for one week, some of the giveaways are for all participating designer blogs in the same week.

Here are my two giveaways for this week:

One 20 US Dollar shopping voucher from www.Inklingo.com. This is a great prize! Despite being extremely busy, Inklingo’s Linda Franz is one of the participating designers, and she is sponsoring this EQ Seasons RAL, too. So, thank you Linda! :-)

This giveaway is specific to my blog Stof Genoeg. Everyone who enters once correctly through the link on the logo below, will be entered into a drawing for this gift. The winner will be picked automatically by Rafflecopter. This will be the same for all giveaways on all participating blogs.

I am asking you to answer a simple question in the giveaway box that will open if you click the Inklingo logo below. The correct answer is short, to make it as easy as possible for you to enter in the giveaway. You don’t need to comment on my blog, follow me, download my pattern, or anything. And there are no trick questions either.

This week’s question is: “What color is Monkey’s porch chair?” You can find the answer in a short, cute video by Monkey’s best friend, Linda Franz, which I have reposted on Stof Genoeg, with an added short story to the images. This post, from 2010, is called ‘Monkey and Happiness’. It is still one of my favorite posts on this blog :-).

But, in case you just want to enter in the giveaway quickly without a detour, I am giving you a hint for the correct answer: It is also the color of the first three letters of the Inklingo logo below.

Click on the logo to enter in the giveaway for an Inklingo gift card.

A bundle of Northcott Fabrics. Northcott Fabrics have also been incredibly generous. They have given fabric to all participating designers, to help them create the Season rows. And they are giving away one bundle of 6-8 yards of fabric (in 1 yard lengths) for each week of the Row-A-Long. All entrants from all participating blogs in this week will be entered in a draw together.

You can only enter once this week for this giveaway, so if you are entering through my blog, do not enter through one of the others as well (or vice versa), or you will be disqualified!

You can enter for both giveaways from 8 – 15 September. Winners will be announced here and on www.seamstobesew.com within 48 hours, and they will be contacted personally.

Click the logo to enter in the Northcott fabric giveaway

Craftsy and Nancy’s Notions Giveaways:

There is another giveaway, running until 13 October, 2015, for those who sew along. You can win Craftsy classes and Nancy’s notions gift certificates.

For entering, stitch out a block from any of the full size Seasons rows. The smaller Filler Rows (by Bea from Be A Quilter, Linda from the All About Inklingo Blog or by me here on Stof Genoeg) are excluded.

You need to upload a picture of your block to the Flickr Group prior to entering. You may enter this giveaway every day from September 01, 2015 to October 13, 2015 (Once for each unique block you have stitched and uploaded a picture for). After uploading your picture, go back to any of the blogs with the link (not mine) to the giveaway, and enter. All entries will be double checked for compliance to the rules. Find the EQ Seasons Flickr group here.

You will be entered in a draw for the following prizes:

• Craftsy: 1 class of your choice – 3 total classes Average Value $40.00 each
• Nancy’s Notions: 1 $10.00 of gift certificate – 2 total certificates Total Value $20.00.

By entering any of these giveaways, it is assumed that you agree with the rules and guidelines, stated both here and in the giveaway box.

All that is left now for me to do, is give you the schedule of the other bloggers of today:

September 8, 2015

Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts – Fall
Carol Steely at Fun Threads – Spring
Amy Heaton at Country Junk’tion – Summer
Marian Pena at Seams To Be Sew – Winter

For those of you with a Facebook account, there is also a Facebook support group.

See you next week, and good luck in the giveaways!

XXX Annika