Block size can be a bit deceptive in Electric Quilt. Here Gordon Cooper shows you how the Sketchbook manages block sizes.

10. Repeat above instructions, only this time setup the drawing board Block Size Horizontal to 1 and Vertical to 6. You will now have a narrow block from top to bottom of the Drawing Board.

11. Now, click View the Sketchbook. You'll see two identical SQUARE blocks, no sign of the short fat block, nor the tall skinny one either.

12. Go back to the Drawing Board SetUp, set the size to Horizontal to 6 and Vertical to 36. On the Drawing Board, this will look exactly the same as the Horiz. 1 and Vert 6. block.

So what's the point of all this?

1. The first important point is that the Block Drawing Board does NOT show or save the size of any block. The Drawing Board does show the shape of a block, and uses the full width or height of the screen for this. This can become a bit silly, try setting the sizes to H 1 and V 40 and see what your block looks like now.

2. The outside shape of a block (the ratio between Height and Width)is lost when you Save it to the Sketchbook. In the Sketchbook, all blocks are shown as squares.

3. The Sketchbook DOES retain the relative shapes and positions of all lines drawn in the block. This means that you can return to the original design of any block simply by setting up the Drawing Board to the same Height to Width ratio as was first used.

4. The Block Drawing Board remembers the last SetUp that you used - even when the computer is turned off. This setting has upset a few users when they have recalled a block from the Library or the Sketchbook, only to find that it has an unexpected shape on the Drawing Board.

5. When you come to Print a block you will asked to choose the Horizontal & Vertical sizes. These settings will decide the dimensions of your printed block, NOT the settings that you used on the Drawing Board.

Another Question - When does EQ4 use Block Size?

1. Block size is considered when Blocks are used in a quilt.

2. On the Quilt Worktable, the Layout Tab brings up a dialog box with provision for you to set the number of blocks - Horizontal and Vertical for the quilt, and to set the Size of the Blocks.

3. Both Horizontal and Vertical size are asked for in the Horizontal and Variable layouts. On-Point and Baby blocks retain their shape at all times, so only one dimension is needed.

4. EQ4 does remember and save block sizes WHEN the blocks have been used in a quilt design, and that design has been saved.

Finally, a comment about quilt size. EQ4 adds up the blocks, sashings, and borders and shows the overall quilt size at the very bottom right of the worktable. Block sizes are not shown.

Gordon Cooper
4 April 2001.

Electric Quilt Software review

1. KeepHere: Blank database to store subject of your choice.
2. KeepMany: Create up to 6 blank databases for subjects of your choice.
3. YesUcan: An archive of info-EQ mail list answers and setup to allow you to add your own hints and tips.
4. What Cooks: Blank database to store your recipes.

Hints and Tips for Electric Quilt User Series: