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

 

Frank is an expert at using Quilt-Pro effectively to create blocks and quilts. This is a series of Hints and Tips on how to use Quilt-Pro more efficiently and effectively!

Expressive Quilters' Newsletter

Editor: Sharla R. Hicks
The page will be updated when a new tip is added.
Newsletter index for all issuesMay 2000 table of Contents

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

Tip 1: Using Quilt-Pro's Snap-to-Grid Function to Draw Symmetrical Curved Shapes

by Frank Smith © 2000

The best way to get an accurate, precise fit when drawing blocks in Quilt-Pro is to use the Snap Functions.

tool bar

The Snap-to-Grid Snap-to-Grid is the most used of the Snap functions. To ensure that the Snap-to-Grid function can be used to align all Bezier curves Bezier Vurve when drawing symmetrical applique shapes, use the following guidelines:

  • When drawing a horizontal curve, always draw from the horizontal axis up starting from the left.
  • When drawing a vertical curve, always draw from the vertical axis to the left starting from the top.
  • See Figure 1.

 

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Figure 1 example of curve starting point
Figure 1

 

The reason for doing this is because Quilt-Pro snaps the top left selection-box-handle to the grid first. If only one handle will snap to the grid it will be the top left selection box handle.

To elaborate further, we will use the vertical curve.

  • If you draw the vertical curve starting at the top and drawing left, the top right point will be locked to the grid.
  • Now when we duplicate the curve, (select the curve, then use Ctrl + D keys) and flip the curve (use rotate tool), the top left corner will snap to the grid and form a perfect symmetrical shape with the top right point of the original curve.
  • See Figure 2.

    Figure 2 Curve example
    Figure 2

 

The same logic works for the horizontal curve.

If you need more than one curve or a combination of vertical and horizontal curves, they will all snap together perfectly if drawn as noted above.

To e-mail Frank with a thank you, click here.

Tip 2: 90 Degree Arc Patch Stamp Tool that can be joined to Lines or Bezier Curves

by Frank Smith © 2000

Want a 90-degree arc tool that is a Patch Stamp you can join to Lines and Bezier curves to make patches? Draw one and save it in your tools folder!

Drawing and saving instructions:

From the Tools Bar: Select the Snap to Grid Snap-to-Grid
In Block menu: Select New.
In Options menu: Select Screen Settings Tool Palette.

In Screen Setting Dialogue box:

  1. Select Grid Type Circular.
  2. Size 1.000.
  3. Rings 6.
  4. Radials 80.
  5. Offset 0.
  6. Select OK and a 12 inch Circular Grid is placed in the work space. See Figure 1 below.
 


Figure 1: Twelve inch Circular Grid in workspace

From Tools Bar: Select the Line Tool .

To Draw the 90 degree arc:

  1. Commencing at start.
  2. Draw twenty short lines around the outer ring ending at finish.

To Group the Lines for the 90 degree arc:

  1. In Edit menu: Choose Select All.
  2. Verify 20 selected in status bar (see red box in Figure 2 below.)

Figure 2. Twenty short lines selected for grouping.

3. In the Effects menu: Select Group.

To save the 90 Degree Arc in the Quiltpro 3 Tools folder:
  1. In the Block menu: Select Save As.

Figure 3: Block Save As Dialogue box.

 

2. Find Tools Folder using Save in: shown below.

3. Type 90 Degree arc in File Name. (See Figure 3 to the left.)

  • The 90 degree arc is now part of the patch stamp tool library and can be used like any other patch stamp even though it is a line and not a patch.
  • To use the 90 degree arc, select the patch stamp patch stamp tool in the tool palette. See Page 35 in Quilt Pro 3 Manual for additional instructions.
  • The 90 Degree Arc Tool you have created can be joined to Lines or Bezier Curves!

HINT: Patch stamps can be distorted in drawing by varying the horizontal and vertical dimensions as the shape is being drawn. To maintain a perfect arc of a circle, keep the horizontal and vertical dimensions equal. With a little arithmetic you can make the arc any number of degrees you need and by varying the start and finish on the circular grid you can position the arc as needed.


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

To go to the review for Quilt-Pro, click here

To order Quilt-Pro, Order Form

About Frank Smith in His Own Words

I was born in Haywood, West Virginia in 1935. In 1953 I joined the U. S. Marine Corps and after working my way up through the ranks, retired a Major in 1977. For the next nineteen years I worked in Service and Sales management at the local Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. I am now fully retired living in Beaufort, South Carolina.

My Father and Mother taught my older brother and I quilting and other needlecrafts when we were 7 or 8 years old, joining in family projects. Quilting was a dormant activity from my teens until shortly after retiring from the Marine Corps.

While in the Marine Corps I was a computer maintenance officer the last eleven years of service. The tactical computer I worked on in 1966 filled an 8 ft x 8 ft x 12 ft communications van. That did not include the monitors or other peripherals, just a fully transistorized, state of the art processor. It did not have a fraction of the capabilities of the PC I am sitting in front of now.

My wife and I share an interest in quilting. My favorite is hand piecing quilt tops, which on occasion she quilts for me. I have completed one quilt (one) from start to finish, but most have been cooperative efforts. Come see our work at Linda Breshears' site. (www.compuquilt.com)

I joined the Quilt-Pro list to learn more about the program and stayed a member because of people I have met there. To join the Quilt-Pro List, go here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltpro

 

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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


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

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Review click here

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

Item Code: i01

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System Requirements:

  • MacOS 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

Windows users look at the PREFECT QUILT it is the reincarnation of Quilt-Pro 5 for Windows

Prefect Quilt

More Info Here Perfect Quilt is a union between two outstanding companies Quilt-Pro Systems 15 year history of quilting software development and Jenny Haskins, a world famous Machine Embroiderist with her own line of CDs, Stablizers, and now quilting software. Both companies bring many years of experience to the table.

NOTE: Perfect Quilt is the program that will be moving forward with upgrades and new features as time moves along.

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
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Item Code: i03
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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
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