It’s no secret I love designing and making quilts.
Since discovering the modern quilting movement, I’ve been inspired to create more original designs in the last 2 years than I have in the last 10 years combined! All it took was finding my niche and discovering the right motivation.
I’m pleased to announce that the folks over at Electric Quilt are enjoying my passion for design, too!
I’ve recently been invited to become an “official” EQ Artist and am now featured on their Do You EQ? site along with plenty of other well-known quilters in the industry. I have to tell you, it’s a little bit intimidating to be featured alongside so many amazing quilters who also design in EQ. I keep waiting for them to tell me, “not really – we were just kidding!”
But lots of good has come out of this. For starters, it has encouraged me to do all of my designing in EQ7 so that I can practice becoming comfortable with more aspects of the software.
My latest EQ7 design – This quilt will do double duty as my entry into the next MQG fabric challenge, and as a future class sample. Stay tuned for more!
Also, I’ve finally taken the plunge and have started publishing my own patterns, integrating images from EQ7 along with good old basic word processing software. So far I’ve only finished one pattern, but the next one will launch soon, and I’ve got more coming. Be sure to keep an eye on my Craftsy Pattern Store for more.
Charming Chevrons – my first officially “published” pattern. You’ve seen this one before!
Finally, I’ve decided I will start teaching some introduction to EQ7 classes later this year. I’ve had several requests to teach about the software, but it will take me awhile to develop a class. My favorite local quilt shop is in need of new teacher so the timing is right. I’ll keep you posted in case any of you are in the mood for a road trip to Vegas later in the fall.
And now, on to the next design!
Christa Quilts 
You blow my mind Christa ~ you are such an industrious person! You deserve all the recognition you get! Congrats!
I can’t wait for EQ7 to come out with the Mac version. I am SO anxiously awaiting it, needing to design several quilts for teaching quiltmaking. Please tell them to hurry! 🙂
I haven’t tried EQ7 yet. But this design definitely seems promising for modern quilt designs. I am sucker for improv piecing and improv log cabin are my most favorite ones.
Congrats on the official-ness of being an EQ Designer, that’s great news.
I bought the program in the Fall of last year after I was commissioned to do some pattern work, and I too have hopes of using the graphics in my own self-published patterns. Yet, I definitely need to use it more, so I’m not spinning my wheels…I was definitely frustrated with it this weekend; but it’s my own fault as I haven’t touched it for 2 months.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing your new patterns and work with EQ.
Congrats Christa!!!!! All sounds so very exciting. Loving the wonky log cabin quilt!
Congratulations! That’s wonderful news! I don’t know why you seem to have so little faith in your abilities. I always love seeing what come up with.
I have been waiting for EQ classes on Craftsy, and I think it should be you, please!!!!!
Looks great, can’t wait to see the quilt! Happy challenge 🙂 As for EQ7, I’m waiting for them to release it on Mac and I’m sure I’ll get lots of use out of it. It’s extra nice now that they have introduced the option to download directly from the website rather than have cumbersome stuff delivered via mail. Just wish they would offer a 14- or 30-day trial like many other software sellers do and in particular I hope it will look as pretty as other Mac software. But as long as there’s even something to work with on Mac I’ll be a happy camper, hehe.
I agree with the idea tossed out of an online EQ class through Craftsy or EQ or whatnot. I don’t have good local shops for classes like that and I’d love a quick intro to get going if I purchase the software! Congrats on your new EQ jobs!
nevermind, I just read the rest of the responses and got my answer… 🙂
Thank you for this post. I have been looking for software to start designing my own patterns and this helped. Do you use the software on a Mac?
That is just fabulous news! Congratulations.
How cool! Good luck in your new ventures! I’ve debated about the software, since I hear there’s quite a learning curve, but maybe one of these days…
Congratulations Christa! Sounds like you have some great things going on. I’m curious about EQ, but not sure it’s for me. I’d love to come to Quiltique for a class!
Wow, just scanned the responses, and it sounds like a lot of people feel like I do: we want a Mac version – glad to see they’re listening! I had EQ…um 5 or 6 but had to give it away, gulp, when I switched to nothing but Apple back in 2005. I also think you should approach Craftsy once you have the lesson-planning done for teaching in your LQS. You are a great ambassador for our craft and this would be an invaluable addition to their line-up. I love love love all the classes I have taken, am taking and have bought but not started yet on Craftsy! I also love reading about all your exciting developments. You go, girl!
Congratulations! Happy for you. Love all your quilt designs.
That’s great, Christa! It’s nice to see you succeed doing what you love. Professional validation is a good thing. A little cha-ching doesn’t hurt either 🙂 . I don’t have eq7 but love what you do with it. You really are one of those amazing quilters!
Love the wonky squares Christa! Congratulations on the new job. : )
EQ7 is always fun to use and congrats on being a EQ Artist! I’ll be following you on Craftsy too!
I almost never make a quilt, these days, without doing a mock up in EQ7 first. It helps so much in so many ways. The ability to use digital images of actual fabrics I plan to use is worth all the tea in china 🙂 I even use it to plan fabric choices & placement for non quilt projects. I’ve done apron mock ups for custom orders which my client’s love. I don’t think I’ll ever use all of EQ7’s potential – next to my Bernina & rotary cutting tools, it’s my most used tool.
Christa, I’m so glad you will be working with them. It will be so refreshing to see the more modern aesthetic represented at Electric Quilt.
Wow, you look great! Your running and eating healthy is paying off.
I debate buying this program, as I use a mac and it means a second computer too. Maybe they have a mac version coming out soon?
Yes, they are releasing it soon. I plan do do a review when the mac version comes out. We are a mac family but I’ve been using a PC for years just so I could run EQ on it. For awhile I used parallels on the Mac for it to run, but I will be very happy when the official Mac version comes out!
Me too, Christa! I’ve been using EQ for years via Parallels on my Mac, but it will be wonderful to run it natively on my Mac. 🙂
Congrats. I am glad EQ7 is realizing their are more and more modern quilters who use their software.
Woohoo! Very excitement for you 🙂
And how fabulous that you’ll be teaching a class locally as well. It sounds like this niche is pretty awesome for you Miss Christa. Looking forward to seeing some designs coming out with your name on them.
E xx
Love your new design, Christa. And thanks for your link to your Craftsy pattern store. Will be following along! Congrats on the teaching position!
Back to EQ7…can you kick it out there for the EQ people to talk to the Craftsy people so that you can offer a class on how to use EQ7. Can you imaging how much their sales would boost if everyone knew that there is step by step help available that they could view at anytime…forever! Congratulations on all of your successes! It is fun to watch you grow!
Hey Crista Q!This post is just in the nick of time! Can I commission you to do a paper pieced block for me please? I have a picture and measurements of the pieces used! Please please say yes!
What a sweet request – I’m flattered and I have a good suggestion for you. Go to the Craftsy pattern site and check out all of the designers who sell their paper pieced patterns. I’m sure one of them would be happy to take on the job 🙂
Congratulations Christa! Very exciting news indeed and very well deserved. Looking forward to following your adventures. Karen
Kudos to you…I have had EQ7 for some time now and am scared to death to even open it…which I did but that is all…congratulations
I live in Vegas. Where will you be teaching. I would love to meet you – AND learn!
Linda S
I will be teaching at Quiltique. Stay tuned for my “official” announcement once my classes have been scheduled 🙂
Congratulations Christa!!! I have to wait until it’s available for my Mac…hopefully in the near future 🙂
Terry: I have heard that the Mac version will come out this Spring! I am waiting for it too!
Christa, congratulations! Amazing !!! You are so inspiring!
Esther
Good news – they are planning on releasing a mac version sometime this year!
I just got EQ7 and it has been so much fun! I am really new to quilting and was really having a difficult time coordinating fabrics b/c I couldn’t visualize what the finished quilt would look like. BIG thanks to my friend at my local quilt shop for telling me about it…and, they are always there for me when I have questions 🙂 Christa, your designs are awesome and I look forward to seeing more of your work on the EQ site! No need to be intimidated – you ARE one of ‘those amazing quilters’!!!!
I love EQ. Have had it for years. I am excited for you & all of us who “DoYouEQ” .
Yay Christa!!! Congratulations on your new ‘job’! I am so happy you’re doing what you love.
Congratulations! I’ve been on the fence about whether or not to purchase EQ7. I’m still a new quilter but like to play with software so thought it might be fun. Wish they offered a trial version. Anyway, I look forward to seeing your artistry on their site. I love your work!
Hi Diane, EQ7 can be loaded on 2 computers at one time..maybe you can find a quilter friend to split the cost with? Also, check with your local quilt shop(s)…my local quilt shop has it and spent some time showing me how it works which really helped me make the decision to buy it. There are also lots of videos on the doyoueq.com site and youtube. Hope that helps you with your decision!
Christa, I made the chevrons quilt for my grandson who is going off to the university in the fall. He wanted it to be in his school colors, with a fleece back. It turned out so well……I used Kona white, amber, and then ash and midnight……can’t recall the makers at the moment, but it turned out SO well.
Congrats!
I’m pleased for you! Your hard work is paying off – and inspiring too!
Best wishes!