Pattern Writing with EQ and Word

I enjoy designing my own quilts in EQ and then once I make the quilt, I like to write the pattern to share with others that might want to make it too.  I have always been so frustrated trying to get a pattern that looks professionally done, or at least "neat" drawings.  I have tried taking pictures of the process and using those in my pattern, but I am not that great a photographer. 

So I posed the question to EQ, and got the best response from Penny McMorris of EQ - and I will say a very prompt response at that.  She explained how to create a metafile of the block in EQ and download this to WORD.  Once in WORD you can do all kinds of neat things with the block.  I still have a lot to learn, but I though I would show you a before and after of what I have learned. 

(If you would like a copy of the  question I posed to EQ and the answer I got, just let me know and I will forward the email to you.)

I am writing a pattern for my Klosje wall hanging that you can see on my post before this one.  I wanted to be able to print multiple copies of the paper foundation pieces on one page, to run off on card stock. The only solution I came up with was to print copies from EQ, cut out the patterns and tape them on a piece of paper and then make copies of that.  The problem being, first - you can't include that in an electronic pattern write-up as scanning distorts the size, second - I could not add the text I wanted to in EQ and third - it just looks kind of tacky.

So following Penny's instructions, I created the metafile, copied it to WORD, separated the parts of the block and then arranged them on the page.  I added text boxes to label the pieces.  Woohoo..this is just what I wanted.   Here you see the before (left) and after (right).  [I didn't really need to tell you which was the before and which was the after, did I?]

This is just so neat and I am excited about writing the pattern now.  If only I could sew the klosje and write the pattern at the same time - I just love making these cute little blocks.

 Monday Mystery - I finished my Owl block. One more to go and the final explanation of what we are making. I am looking forward to that.  I think I will outline my petals and center in a purple. 

Thanks for dropping by.
Teresa
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