The Basics

Finding Tools

 

I know everyone wants to jump right in and ‘draw’ a block, but, we are not going to do that. I thing the first think we need to learn is some basics, like how to get blocks, fabrics, and fabric pallets from the EQ Libraries. Also, we need to know what all the ‘tools’ are and what they are used for. So this first lesson will be a little boring but I think very necessary for the ones that are not familiar with EQ.

 

After you have down loaded your EQ program, you should have an icon appear on your desktop. It will be a Red “e”, green ‘Q’ and a blue 5. . If you don’t have one and do not know how to put one on your desktop, post on MB and I will tell you how to do it.

 

Double click on the icon and EQ will open showing 2 tabs:

  1. Create a New Project
  2. Open an Existing Project

We want to Create a new project so on the area where it asked you to type in the name of your project, type CFQG Lessons, or what ever you want to call yours and then click OK.

 

EQ has now opened to either a quilt layout or your graph paper (drawing) area. I can’t remember which one it opens to when you first start the program, but it doesn’t matter at this point. So, either one is fine. Across the top you will see:

 

File..Edit..View..Worktable..Library..Block..Help

 

Click on the word FILE and read all the items listed there.

New: Lets you open a new file

 

Open: Takes you to the tab where you can open an existing project

 

Save and Save As: lets you save your project somewhere else on your computer.

 

Save Pallet as Default: lets you save your favorite fabric as the default, which means when you open your project the same fabric will appear. You can change the default as much as you want.

 

Print: This lets you print your block or quilt layout in color, just the outline, templates, yardage, foundation pattern for paper piecing, quilting stencils, etc.

 

Page Setup:  You decide how you want it printed out.

 

Printer Fonts: Here you can change the type of lettering and size used

 

Export Snapshot:  We will learn to use this when sending a picture of our blocks or quilts we have drawn.

 

Export Metafile: Used only to export a quilt block, you can not use this for a quilt layout.

 

Preference: You will see different tabs. I will tell you what I have them set at but these can be changed when ever you want.

A. Projects: check the following; Use EQ5 Project Helper; Ask me before deleting any design; and under save, I have all 3 boxes checked.

B. Layout Limits:

 1. General

   a. Max size of block-48

   b. Max blocks hor or ver – 30

   c. Max width of sashing – 10

   d. Max size of quilt center – 200

 2. Borders

   a. Max width of border – 22

   b. Max number of borders – 24

 3. One Patch

   a. Max size of patch – 15

   b. Max number of units – 80

 4. Strip Quilts

   a. Max width of Strip – 20

   b. Max number of strips – 50

 5. Layout Options

   a. General -   all but last box should be checked

   b. Nudge settings

        1. Graph Pad – Ό inch

        2. Pallet Sliders – Ό inch

   c. Grid Settings – check both boxes and set the grid snap to 1/8 inch.

 6. Drawing Options:

   a. check both boxes

   b. Maximum Partition – 15

   c. Maximum grid – 10

 7. Drawing Tolerances

   a. Tolerance area for mouse on node – 5

   b. Tolerance area for mouse on segment – 10

   c. Too small to keep when drawing – 200

   d. Automatically delete small segments – 40

7. Measurements:

   a. Set this for either inches or centimeters, which ever you prefer

8. Print Quality:

   a. Set at 1 for Normal

9. Directories:

This is used to link to other EQ products such as block base, Sew Precise and Stash. You can also link to EQ4 or libraries from other EQ users.

 

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EDIT we will talk about later!

 

VIEW

  1. Sketchbook:

   The sketchbook is where you save all your drawn blocks, copied blocks from the block library, quilt layouts, etc. When you open the sketchbook, it has tabs for quilts, blocks, fabrics, and colors. At the bottom of the sketchbook page you will see edit, notecard and delete.  The edit button is used to edit one of the blocks or quilts you have saved. The notecard is used to name your blocks, add a reference and to add notes for your work. And of course the delete button is used to remove items from your sketchbook.

 

  1. The rest of the items will be discussed as we use them.
  2. You should have a black dot in front of Patch Draw tools, a check mark in front of edit tools, project tools, rulers, and status bar. If you don’t, click on them so a dot or check mark is placed there.

 

Worktable:

This is used to choose either work on block or work on quilt.

 

Libraries and Block we will learn about as we use them.