The Xara Xone Workbook
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Creating a Quilted Pattern

A recent thread in the Xara Conference challenged members to create a quilted pattern. This seemed like a fun project for a Workbook tutorial. So here goes.

Step 1 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 1 Select the QuickShape Tool. From the Number of Sides drop down list on the Infobar, select 8. Click the Starred Shapes icon. Hold down the Shift and Ctrl keys and click the QuickShape Tool on the page and drag an 8-sided star approximately 325 pixels.

 

Step 2 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 2 Set the fill to none my left clicking on the small cross hatched box to the left of the screen palette. Select the star shape with the QuickShape Tool . (Notice the X cross hair in the center of the star). Drag a vertical and horizontal guideline from the screen rulers through the center of the X. (Ctrl L to display screen rulers).

 

Step 3 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 3 Using the Shape Editor Tool, click anchor points to create the shape shown in red. Click the points on top of the points of the star and at the intersection of the two guidelines. Click the last control point on top of the first to create a closed shape. Change the fill to red. Create a matching shape on the other side and apply a blue fill.

 

Step 4 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 4 Hold down the Shift key and click on both the red and blue shape to multiple select both. Click again to enable rotate/skew mode. Drag the Center of Rotation bulls eye to the intersection of the two guidelines. Drag the top right control handle to rotate the two shapes 90 degrees clockwise. Before you release the left mouse button, click the right mouse button to drop a duplicate. Repeat to add the other shapes as shown.

NOTE: If you are one of those who can't get the knack of drag and duplicate, clone the two shapes (Ctrl k) click twice to enable rotate skew mode, drag the rotation bulls eye to the intersection of the two guidelines, then enter -90 in the Angle of Selection text entry box on the Infobar and press Enter. Make another clone and repeat the process.

 

Step 5 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 5 Draw and center a rectangle behind the star shape that is approximately 625 x 400 pixels. Select each pair of shapes, duplicate them (Ctrl d or Ctrl k) and drag to the opposite corner as shown.

 

Step 6 Creating a quilted pattern

Step 6 Select the rectangle and all the shapes and make a duplicate (Ctrl d). Fill all the shapes except the rectangle black and add a 4pt white outline.

Save your work and take a short break.

Continued on the next page >

 

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