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Computer Quilting BYTES
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Computer Quilting BYTES: Editor Sharla Hicks, quilting software reviews, quilt tutorials, faqs, and more

Tip 12: Part 3 of a 3 part article. Fitting a pieced border to a quilt takes a little prior planning. When using Quilt-Pro, there are many ways to adjust the border. Frank Smith explains several methods he uses.

 

3 Part Border Series by Frank Smith

click here Part 1: Fitting Pieced Borders
click here Part 2: Creating a Pieced Border
click here Part 3: Working with problem border blocks to make them symmetrical and other tricks

Expressive Quilters' Newsletter

Editor: Sharla R. Hicks
Newsletter index for all issues

14 Quilt-Pro Hints and Tips by Frank Smith
4 Block & Border Drafting Articles by Frank Smith
Additional Quilt-Pro Resource on this website and on the Internet


Hints and Tips for Quilt-Pro 3

Tip 12: Creating a Pieced Border
Part 3 of a 3 part article.

By Frank Smith © 2000

Tweaking a Border Block to make it layout symmetrically in a quilt and other solutions to problem border blocks.

Before I show several borders from the Quilt-Pro Library and what I did to change their look, Let’s look at how a border is placed on the quilt. 
  • The border block in the library is the lower right corner of the quilt. 
  • The right side is printed up keeping the same repeat orientation until the specific count number of repeats is reached. 
  • The same thing occurs along the bottom of the quilt.  
  • The top and left side then print a mirror image of the bottom and right side of the quilt. 
  • The corners also print a mirror image of themselves, so that no matter which way you check all four corners mirror each other. 
  • I will use a category 3 block (see Part 1 and Part 2 for Category 3 definition) from the library to demonstrate this. 

Instructions

1. Open Quilt Pro.

2. Open a Project File, Category blocks blank quilt made in Part 1 of the Border Series.

  • Quilt-Pro 3: Go to the top menu bar and select File, select Open.
  • Quilt-Pro 4: Go to the top menu bar and select File, go to the Open side flyout menu (use the arrow beside Open) and select Project.

3. In the Project Open dialogue box, select Category blocks blank quilt.  See Figure 29.


Fig. 29.

The Beggar Block is a Category 3 block that will require a lot of work to get symmetry.

1. Right click any border block space and make sure the Affect All item is on.  (Check mark).  It will also show in the upper left end of the Status bar.

2. Select a bright color and repaint one patch in one corner.  The program mirrors the first corner with the results shown in Figure 35.

Figure 35.  Beggar Block with one patch painted in each corner.

3.

Note that all four corners have the mirror patch in each corner painted the same bright color. 

Study the entire block and note that the opposite sides are mirrors of each other.  This is the way all border blocks paint.  This knowledge will help when designing and when trying to make a border look balanced or have some basic repeating plan or flow.  I would analyze this block to see what I can do improve it’s appearance in the quilt.  It does not lend its self to flowing around the border.  It is made of two separate blocks both of which are identical on two sides and although they individually might make a nice border neither would reflect the beggar block pattern.  The only solution would be to redesign the block into a Category 2  block and still maintain the Beggar Block motif.  See Figure 36.

 

4. Open the File Browser
  • In Quilt-Pro 3: go to the Border menu select Browse.
  • In Quilt-Pro 4, go to the File menu and select Browse. In the side flyout menu, select Border.
5. In the Border File Browser select the Beggar Block and click . See Figure 36.

Figure 36.  Original Beggar Block

6. In the Tool Bar select the Rotary Cutter.

7. In the Options menu select Screen Settings.

8. In the Screen Settings dialogue box, change size to .125. Click

9. Using the Rotary Cutter, cut the outer horizontal square in half as shown in Figure 37.

Figure 37.  Beggar Block with square cut in half.

 

 


Now work on the border section to even out the symmetry

10. In the Effects menu, select Ungroup.

11. Click on the Select tool in the Toolbar.

12. Select the left half of the outer square.

13. Move the square half as shown in Figure 38


Figure 38.  Beggar Block with outer half of square moved.


14. Select the remainder of the horizontal repeat and move as shown in Figure 39.

Figure 39.  Beggar block with the remainder of horizontal repeat moved.


15. Now select the small section and place it between the corner block and the remainder of the horizontal repeat.  As shown in Figure 40.

16. Note that this new repeat has two opposite edges that are identical and are vertical in the horizontal repeat.

Figure 40.  Beggar Block with new horizontal repeat.

17. Select the vertical repeat and delete.

18. Select the horizontal repeat (not the corner)

19. In the Edit menu, select Duplicate.

20. In the Tool Bar select Rotate left.

21. Move the duplicate into a position as the Vertical repeat.

22. In the Edit menu, select Select All.

23. In the Effects menu, select Group.  See Figure 41.

Figure 41.  New Beggar Block Border #2.

24. To save the File:

Quilt-Pro 3: Go to the Border Menu, select Save As.
Quilt-Pro 4: Go to the File menu, select Save As.

25. In the Border Save As dialogue box, type the File Name, Beggar Block Border #2. See Figure 42

26. Click


Figure 42.  Border Save As dialogue box saving Beggar Block Border #2.

Now view the new symmetrical border block in the blank quilt

1. Go to the Windows menu and select the opened Category block blank quilt screen that was created in Part 1 of this series, click here.

2. Open a Beggar Block Border #2 using the File Browser:

  • Quilt-Pro 3: Go to the Border menu and select browse.
  • Quilt-Pro 4: Go to the File Menu, select Browse and from the flyout side menu, select Border

3. In the File Browser, find Beggar Block Border #2.

4. Select the Border Block and drag and drop the block into any border block space. The Border 1 Fitting dialogue box opens, click

5. Close File Browser.

We now have a balanced border and maintained the Beggar Block pattern look. See Figure 43.

Figure 43.  Beggar Block Border #2

More Border Fixes

We probably should look at a couple more borders to demonstrate some more border fixes.  With the Goose Chase border there doesn’t seem to be anyway we can modify the repeat to improve the border.  We can, however, rotate and flip selected repeats to balance the appearance of the border similar to what we did with the Hummingbird border.  We can also rotate and flip selected repeats to give the appearance that the border pattern is circling the quilt.  See Figures 44 and 45.


Figure 45.  Goose Chase border circling
the quilt in counter clockwise direction.



Figure 46.  Goose Chase border balanced on quilt.

Log Cabin #5 is an example of a repeat that is shorter than the width.  See Figure 47.


Figure 47. Log Cabin #5 example of repeat shorter than width.

To make Log Cabin #5 symmetrical modify as shown in Figure 48.  This will also make the width and the repeat equal.  This is a border that is OK with a short repeat and need not be modified except it was originally not symmetrical. 


Figure 48.  Symmetrical Log Cabin #5.


3 Part Border Series by Frank Smith

click here Part 1: Fitting Pieced Borders
click here Part 2: Creating a Pieced Border
click here Part 3: Working with problem border blocks to make them symmetrical and other tricks

line break

To e-mail Frank with a thank you, click here
About the author of the Quilt-Pro Series, Frank Smith

14 Quilt-Pro Hints and Tips by Frank Smith
4 Block & Border Drafting Articles by Frank Smith
Additional Quilt-Pro Resource on this website and on the Internet

line break


Quilt-Pro 5 for Mac Save $'s packages, check them out!

Quilt-Pro 5
Quilt-Pro 5 for Macintosh OS-X
Includes Manual & CD

Low Price Policy

Review click here

demo available for earlier Version but gives you a good idea of the power behind Quilt Pro

Item Code: i01

Our Price: $134.96
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MSRP: $149.95

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System Requirements:

  • Mac OS version 10.1.5 or higher
  • 800x600 video display, 256 color (16 bit or higher recommended)
  • Mouse or other pointing device
  • Disk Space: 50MB for a basic installation (no scanned fabrics or embroidery)
    • Additional 200MB if you install all the scanned fabrics
    • Additional 200MB if you install all the scanned embroidery

     

Save Dollars Package
Quilt-Pro 5 Mac Save $'s packages, check them out!


Quilt-Pro for MAC
Starter Package:
This Package SHIPS FREE in USA only

  1. Quilt-Pro for Mac
  2. Select Choice: 1 Foundation Factory
  3. Optional Add: Foundation Factory Companion Book
    (shows blocks from Foundation Factory CDs) for Only $13.56 More
Item Code: i03
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MSRP: $179.90
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Quilt-Pro for Mac
Paper Piecing Package:

  1. Quilt-Pro for Mac
  2. 3 Foundation Factory CD
    1. Vol 1
    2. Vol 2
    3. Carol Doak
  3. Optional Add: Foundation Factory Companion Book (shows blocks) for Only $13.56 More

Item Code: i03a
FREE SHIPPING in USA/Canada only
Our Price: $192.91
MSRP: $239.90
Add 1 to BasketAdd 1 and Checkout
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Formerly Quilt-Pro for Windows
Jenny Haskins Perfect Quilt
Perfect Quilt
Formerly Quilt-Pro for Windows

Item Code: i0
Weight: 0.40 lb
10% off: $134.96
MSRP: $149.95
Add 1 to BaksetAdd 1 and Checkout
Add To Wish List

Minimum System Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista, 128MB RAM, CD-ROM Drive, 800 x 600 display, Mouse, Internet Access

Sharla's Review will be coming soon!

Quilt-Pro has teamed up with Jenny Haskins to bring Window users a quilting software with all the standard features you expect from Quilt-Pro.

Jenny was looking for something to take the guesswork out of quilting and teaming up with seasoned Quilt-Pro developers was the perfect choice!

With Perfect Quilt, make beautiful quilts easily with “one-touch” block and fabric libraries. Choose from over 4000 blocks and fabrics or simply design your own! Includes 100 beautiful ready to sew quilts!

AND the added bonus is Perfect Quilt’s embroidery library includes 2500 images including 500 of Jenny’s beautiful designs, that can be laid out in a quilt of your own design!

Easy to use quilting software will guide you step-by-step in creating your masterpiece.

  • Easy point and click format allows you to select the number of blocks, re-size and accessorize your quilt step by step.
  • Virtual “Design-Wall” interface allows you customize your creations endlessly
  • Select from nine quilt styles and five sizes or easily create any customize size
  • Change the colors of your quilt instantly with Jenny’s “Color Wand”
  • Jenny’s “Quick Ruler” allow you to easily measure all aspects of your creation.
  • Choose from over 1200 blocks including classic, contemporary, traditional, appliqué, foundation stencils, and more.
  • Blocks can be printed in any size.
  • Choose from over 120 border designs to make beautiful borders, or add any block to make a custom border.
  • Freehand drawing tools make it simple to create custom block and border designs.
  • Easily create appliqué blocks, curved patch blocks and quilting stencils
  • “Click and snap” grids make it simple to create stars, kaleidoscopes, and compasses.
  • Print templates, foundation patterns, rotary cutting charts and more.
  • Yardage calculation tool automatically calculates yardage and tells you how much fabric you will need for any quilt design.
  • Includes 2000 of the latest fabrics from over 14 manufacturers Fabric-Scan tool makes it easy add your personal favorites to the fabric library.
  • Rotate your fabric within the patch for perfect placement every time.
  • Easily create the perfect quilt label for the finishing touch Photo-Scan tool allow you to design and preview your memory quilt before sewing.
  • Export patches, blocks and quilts as bitmap images or Windows metafiles.

NOTE: Until Sharla completes her Perfect Quilt review, go to the Quilt-Pro for Mac Review by Sharla to see operation for Perfect Quilt.

 


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