BlockBase Frequently Asked Questions
How can I link EQ6 to BlockBase?
- In EQ6, click LIBRARIES > Block Library.
- Click the Link Library button.
- Click the Auto Add button to add a link for any EQ software not listed.
- If BlockBase is not automatically added to this list, add it manually and click the Add button.
- In the first box, type "BlockBase".
- Click the Browse button.
- Find and select the LIB folder for BlockBase. (It may be somewhere like C:\BB2\LIB or
C:\Program Files\Electric Quilt Company\BlockBase\LIB.)
- Click OK, OK.
- Click Close, Close.
How can I link EQ5 to BlockBase?
EQ5 should automatically link if you installed both programs in their default locations.
If you didn't install to the default location or just need to redo the link it's pretty easy. Try this:
- In EQ5, click File - Preferences.
- Click the Directories tab.
- Click BlockBase in the list (BlockBase2 if yours is CD, BlockBase1 if yours in on a series of floppy disks).
- Click Modify.
- Click through the Browse for folder box until you find BlockBase's "lib" folder.
Make sure the lib folder is selected.
Could be in: My Computer - C drive - BB2 - lib
or My Computer - C drive - Program Files - Electric Quilt Company - BB2 - lib
or wherever you installed it to.
- Click OK.
- The red "not found" should turn to a green "ok" to show that they are now linked.
- Click OK to close Preferences.
- To find you BlockBase blocks, click Libraries - Block Library.
How can I link EQ4 to BlockBase?
Do this:
- Install BlockBase one more time. (Do not uninstall.)
- When you are asked if you want to reboot, say NO.
- Reboot the computer on your own, after the installation is finished.
- To find you BlockBase blocks, in EQ4, click Libraries - Block Library.
What is this "Find Directory," "Locate...," or "Add node..." message when I try to run it?
If you are installing BlockBase on a drive other than C or in a folder other than BB2 (the default is C:\BB2), then you'll want to follow the steps below.
- During the installation you will be asked where you want to install BlockBase. If you change the drive letter, you must also type a folder name. We suggest BB2. (See the BlockBase user manual, page 3, for instructions on installing to a drive other than C drive if you do not know how to make a folder.)
- At the end of the installation you will see a message saying the installation is complete. The option for restarting the computer will be selected. Change the option to "No, I'll restart my computer later" and then click Finish. (You will then have the option of displaying and printing the Readme file if you like.) When the installation is complete, you will see the Windows Desktop.
- Before you try to run BlockBase, restart your computer, by clicking on the Start button and choosing Shut Down. After you have rebooted, click on the BlockBase icon to start the program.
When I start, my screen is frozen -- it only draws part of the screen.
When the BlockBase program starts, you should see a list of pattern categories evenly spaced along the left edge of your screen. If your computer draws only half of the screen and seems to be frozen, or if you do not see a complete evenly spaced list of pattern categories along the left side of your screen, then your system does not have the latest Windows common controls. BlockBase uses the latest version of the common controls to display the pattern categories. To use the latest versions of these controls with Windows, you must have the latest version of Comctl32.dll installed.
The Electric Quilt Company strongly suggests that you visit the Microsoft web site for complete instructions regarding these controls when performing installations of them.
You can obtain the latest version of Comctl32.dll appropriate to your particular operating system by installing the latest version of Internet Explorer from the Microsoft web site.
It is very important that you reboot your computer at the end of the installation.
Try running BlockBase again.
Why can't I get Help files?
If you don't get the help files it means you probably use Netscape Navigator and don't have the "browser engine" that runs the Help program. In this case, you can try this:
The help files are in a folder \BB2\Help which you could access directly by clicking on them.
- Open My Computer.
- Open your drive.
- Open BB2
- Find the Help folder and double-click to open it.
The topics not covered in the book are:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tree click
- Rotary Cutting instructions
- More rotary2
- Printing Commercial Templates
- Blocks with PPT Info
- What are shortcut keys
- Precision templates
- Adjusting the Fonts
- Adjusting the Page Setup
Open these and print them out.
Why doesn't the Bookshelf open a pattern category when I click on the name?
The best place to position the mouse cursor when you click on the Bookshelf is at the beginning of the style name. In other words, if the title of the style is Feathered Stars, position the mouse cursor over the F of Feathered and click there. Try getting accustomed to clicking in this place always.
I saved a BlockBase project in EQ4. Why can't I open it back up in BlockBase?
If you have Electric Quilt software on your computer, you can open any BlockBase project
in EQ and design quilts using the blocks from BlockBase. Once you have opened and saved
the project in EQ, you will no longer be able to open it in BlockBase. It is strongly recommended
that you use Save As to save the project in your EQ project folder as soon
as you open it up. This will help you from inadvertently clicking on Save and re-saving
the BlockBase project in the BlockBase project folder thus preventing you from opening the
project with BlockBase again. See the topic Saving a BlockBase Project in EQ on page 31 of the BlockBase user manual for step-by-step instructions.
How can I print just one hexagon template?
BlockBase's Non-Square pattern category contains a style called Precision Templates. This style contains blocks with one patch, such as one hexagon. These are ideal for making quilts where the basic design unit is one patch repeated over the whole top, not organized into square blocks. To print the Precision Templates, enter twice the size you want for the edge of the patch. In other words, if you want to print a hexagon where each side is 2 inches, enter 4 inches for both the width and height in the Print Template dialog box.
What is the printing option called "Commercial Templates?"
This category is just for the convenience of you BlockBase users who use the Perfect Patchwork Templates from Marti Michell. Marti has identified 540 blocks in BlockBase that can be made using her Perfect Patchwork Templates. When you see the Commercial Templates option on the Print menu enabled, you will know that this is one of the blocks for which a template set is available from Marti. BlockBase's HELP files contain a complete list of blocks with Perfect Patchwork Template information. For more information about Perfect Patchwork Templates, visit Marti's Web site.
Why doesn't my rotary cutting chart list all the patches?
Some blocks can best be cut with a combination of rotary cutting and templates. The chart may leave out some of the lettered patches. BlockBase does not include some rotary cuttable shapes: 30 and 90 degree kites, for example. These patches can be made by printing the templates.
Why do rotary cutting instructions round off the sizes?
Rotary cutting dimensions are nearly always approximations. For example, the 7/8 inch that quilters conventionally add for half-square triangles is really .85355 inches, rounded off to the nearest 1/8 inch so that we can read it on the ruler. Click here for a full discussion.
Why does the BlockBase library look mixed up when I open it from EQ4?
The blocks do not appear in the same order as they appear in BlockBase. Instead, the categories are arranged alphabetically. Double-click on any category book and the pages or block styles will appear. The pages and blocks in these books are in the order they appear in BlockBase. In front of each page or block style name there is a two-digit number. This number does not represent a Barbara Brackman number, it simply keeps the styles in a specific order. Click on a page (other than the page that has the same name as the book) and blocks from that style will appear. From this point, you may use any of the BlockBase blocks in the same manner you would in EQ. See BlockBase HELP, under Using BlockBase & EQ Together, for the full discussion: BlockBase Blocks in the EQ Library.
Why don't I see all five Search tools?
Your screen resolution needs to be set higher so you can see all the tools. Your screen is set for 480 x 640. Instead, we recommend 600 x 800 or higher. To change the screen resolution:
- At the Windows desktop click Start - Settings - Control Panel.
- Double-click the Display icon.
- Click the Settings tab. You'll see the Screen area size there. Change it to 600 x 800 by dragging the bar to the right.
Reboot your computer and get back into BlockBase. Your screen will now have enough room to show you all the tools.
Why does "search by name" have such tiny fonts?
You need to contact techsupport@electricquilt.com via email or telephone (419.352.1134, M-F, 9-5 EST).
How do I open a BlockBase project in EQ5?
These same directions appear in the lime green "Design Cookbook" that came in your EQ5 box.
- Click File - Open.
- Click the small yellow folder in the bottom-left of your opening screen.
- In the files of type box, change it from "EQ5 projects" to "BlockBase projects."
- Now browse to the folder you saved your BlockBase project in, click to select it and click Open.
*If you don't know where to look, try:
My Computer - C drive - BB2 - prj
"IXX..." message?
You have two instances of BlockBase open. Close one BlockBase session.
Why are some blocks so oddly designed as pieced blocks?
BlockBase is a historic source of quilt block information as well as a source of patterns. So BlockBase faithfully reproduces the blocks just as they really appeared when they were published. Surprisingly, some blocks were not designed to make them easy to sew. Perhaps their designers, often newspaper columnists, just drew block designs without really thinking in terms of sewing ease.
I’ve noticed that sometimes the tooltip gives me the incorrect information. Why is that?
Please be aware that the best method for getting information on a block is through the Namelist card. This information will never change and it will always be correct. Because your mouse if passing over so many blocks so quickly, it is difficult to keep up. If you rest your mouse in a location where there is no block, it may display the information from the last block it rested on. Always rely on the Namelist card for accurate information.
I don’t think the Search by Name tool works correctly because whenever I type Bowtie in the list of names, I get Bow and Arrows.
The Search by Name dialog always searches for a name found in the alphabetical list. If you start typing Bowtie, the highlight jumps to B, then to BO, then to BOW and the highlight stops on Bow and Arrows because it does not find any further matching. Since the highlight is on Bow and Arrows when you click the Search button, that’s what you get. The Search by Name dialog is intended to search for names in the list, not matches to the name you typed. In this case, use the Wildcard Search to search for "bow" or "tie" and see if you get better results.
Why is the same block name listed several times in the Search by Name dialog box?
When you click on the Search by Name dialog, BlockBase generates a list of names for all the blocks. As you know, some blocks have several names. Some blocks have the same name but look completely different. As a result, they will be located in totally different pattern categories. BlockBase needs to know the location of every block associated with every name. Because it needs a "location" for every block, duplicate names appear in the list. The results of the search will get all the "locations" and display all the blocks with the given name. If you see duplicate names, just select any one of them. They will all give you the same results.
Are these blocks copyright-free?
No, the patterns in BlockBase are intended for your personal use. If you intend any commercial use of these patterns, you must consult the sources of those patterns, as credited in the BlockBase references, for possible copyright restrictions.
Where is my serial number?
Your serial number is listed on the back outside cover of your BlockBase manual that came in the box.
How do I register my software?
You can register BlockBase online or through the mail. Go to My EQ to register online. Or, fill out the registration postcard and mail it to our office.
How many blocks are in BlockBase?
There are 4317 blocks in BlockBase.
How many BlockBase blocks overlap with EQ?
Approximately 600-800 pieced blocks overlap with EQ5's Block Library.
"Item offset...corrupted" message in EQ4?
The books will appear in alphabetical order. When you open a book, you will see pages. There will be one page that is named the same as the book it is in. If you click on it, you will get this message in EQ4.
Don't worry about the message. You are just clicking on a BlockBase placeholder. You aren't missing any blocks. Nothing is wrong with your installation. Just ignore the "item offset" message when you see it.
I'm missing the first few letters of the pattern categories. How do I get the whole name?
Try this:
- Start - (Settings) - Control Panel.
- Double-click Display.
- Click the Settings tab.
- Click the Advanced button.
- Click the Performance/Troubleshoot tab.
- Drag the Hardware Acceleration slider to a new setting.
- Click Apply, then OK on all the dialogs and close the Control Panel.
You may need to try the different settings in Step 6 to see which one makes the names appear. Not every setting works the same for every computer.
Are "print uncolored block" and "print white block" supposed to look the same when printed?
A great deal of the time these two printouts will look exactly the same. The "white block" is helpful when you’re printing blocks that are partially appliquéd. The appliquéd patches will appear filled with white. Selecting a block from the "Baskets with Applique Contents" and previewing the printout showing each of these selections will make the difference more understandable.
Do the labels on the foundation units tell me the order to sew the units together?
No. They are simply labels. The numbers tell you the order to sew the patches together for each unit. Then you’ll need to finish the block by sewing the units together in the appropriate order. In some cases, the units may be labeled in order so that you sew unit A to unit B and so on. In most cases though, this will not be true.
Why don’t I get labels on all of the units when I print foundation patterns?
The units label in foundation piecing needs to print horizontally inside the seam allowance of the unit. Some units are oriented diagonally or vertically and there is simply no place for the label to print. The unit will be printed correctly. It just will not be labeled.
I don’t want my pattern to tile over multiple pages. What can I do?
If your pattern is large it may require tiling the pattern over several pages. When a pattern is tiled, BlockBase prints a dashed line as a guide for taping the pages together. Use Scotch Brand Magic Tape because it won't "gum up" your sewing machine needle, and it's easy to remove. If you're printing a multi-unit pattern, separating the units may cause one or more units to tile. These units may be small enough to fit on the page but separating the units causes them to tile. You can choose to not separate the units and cut them apart yourself, or you can use the margin settings to nudge the pattern in the direction you need so that the guide falls between the units forcing the entire unit to the next page. Changing the orientation of the page from Portrait to Landscape may also help prevent tiling.
Sometimes the seam allowance does not draw correctly. What should I do?
Odd shape patches, patches with curves, and appliqué patches don’t always draw the seam allowance lines in a useable way. You can turn off the seam allowance option before printing or simply ignore the part of the seam allowance line that draws incorrectly. In some cases, like the non-square blocks, these odd shapes are part of the background and you won’t need them anyway. Use the Delete tool during Print Preview to delete the template from your printout before printing.
The letter labeling the patch printed outside the patch. Can I control this?
The letter is placed automatically by BlockBase. Sometimes, especially in patches with curves, the patch letter may print in an odd place, maybe even outside of the patch. If you want to change the font for the label, click the Fonts button in the dialog and adjust the font style titled Number.
I am printing templates for a large block. How do I fit a multiple-page template back together again?
When a template is tiled (printed over more than one page), BlockBase prints a dashed line as a guide for taping the pages together. Trim the margin from one template piece right to the guideline. Lay this pattern on top of your other template piece, lining it up so the dashed lines match up, on top of each other. Tape or glue the pattern pieces together. Now you'll have a complete template.
How can I learn more about using the rotary cutting charts from BlockBase?
Quilt teacher, Barb Vlack, has offered some of her tips and tricks in Rotary Cutting with BlockBase.
