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I’ve mentioned before I use EQ8 to design my quilts. In 2024, I received a fellowship grant to take some quilt pattern writing courses. One group of classes I took was the The Electric Quilt Company’s EQ8 Beginner, Next Steps, and Master Skills series. I start every one of my patterns in EQ8 and these courses give me the foundation to do so with confidence.
One thing I will note is EQ8 software is great for designing patterns. You have easy access to a block library and fabric library. You can also easily upgrade for more patterns and blocks. The software provides templates (for cutting and FPP) and fabric requirements. What the software in general does not do is tell you how to assemble the quilt you designed, so some basic quilt making knowledge is essential.
The Electric Quilt Company recently added a new class to their EQ at Home collection: the Drawing Foundation Paper Pieced (FPP) Blocks class. I was provided the opportunity to take the course for no charge in return for a review. So all opinions are my own but I did not have to pay to take the course.
I have already designed a couple patterns using FPP blocks. The Christkindlmarkt Quilt was all FPP. I designed the trees, the stars, and the mugs to be put together with FPP. My 3:00 Field Goal Quilt only used FPP for the football block. So designing FPP blocks in EQ8 is something I do and I was excited to try out the course and level up my skills.
Overall Rating
The Drawing FPP Blocks class has the same instructor and format as the other classes. The sound quality is great, it is clear and easy to understand the instructor. There is also the same fun ‘add to gallery’ option, where you can add an image of your version of blocks made in the course (look for designs by Deb M in the gallery). I really enjoyed the course and give it 5 sea stars.
Summary and Acquired Skills
The Master Skills class has one 15 minute segment on FPP and you follow along and make one practice FPP block. The new Drawing FPP Blocks class is entirely dedicated to FPP. It includes about an hour and half of instruction with a bonus 10 minute extra credit project. It took me longer than that to complete the course as I would pause the video to draw lines and color blocks. The course is broken up into seven segments allowing you to learn skills one at a time. As you follow along with the instructor, you make seven different projects with two add on extensions to further enhance some of your original projects.
The Drawing FPP Blocks class helped me improve my block making skills as well as refresh and explain when to use the different snap functions. The class also addressed how to make curved sections.
Suggested Prerequisites and Course Difficulty
If you could only take one course and you wanted to learn FPP block making, I believe the Drawing FPP Blocks class would be a great option. The Drawing FPP Blocks class is a stand alone course that also includes some basic EQ8 program navigation skills. It was very easy to follow along and go back if I needed to rewatch a step.
Where to Find the Course
If you are interested in taking any of EQ8’s courses to level up your EQ8 skills check out their course listings, which now includes the new Drawing FPP Blocks class.
