02 Import Blocks into PreQuilt

// Orphan Block Quilts // (updated June 2024)

TIP: Think of your orphan block almost as if it were a printed fabric swatch. We'll import it into the FABRIC section on your dashboard.

Now that you have photographed your blocks, we can import them into PreQuilt! To do this, we'll treat the blocks like a fabric swatch.

01 Bulk Upload to PreQuilt

Now that you have all the photographs of your blocks on your computer, you can now bulk upload them to PreQuilt.

1. On the dashboard, click on the 'FABRIC' tab.

   
2. Click on the 'Bulk Upload' button on the far left tile.

   
3. A pop-up of your computer's file management system will open. Select all the images of your orphan quilt blocks and click 'Open'.

   • Note: I am using a Mac - your system might look different.

   

   • Note: If you are uploading lots of blocks at once, this might take a few minutes. Please be patient while the dots spin.

   
4. You should now see your uploaded orphan blocks in your Fabric Dashboard.

   • Note: PreQuilt will automatically import the names of the files. So, feel free rename your files on your computer before importing to PreQuilt to help stay organized.

   

   My orphan blocks uploaded into PreQuilt as fabric swatches.

02 Prep Your Blocks

Now that the blocks are in PreQuilt, we can prepare them for use in a quilt. While naming your blocks is not essential, it is essential that you set a width for the block and 'trim' the background out of your orphan blocks.

1. Click on the 'Edit' button on the tile for one of your orphan blocks.

   
2. A pop-up window will appear.

   

   Block with imported name.
3. First, we're going to enter the width of our block (inches) in the yellow box. In this example, my blocks are 3.5" squares.

   

   
4. To trim the background out of our block image, click on one of the drag boxes, hold the mouse down, and pull it toward the block till you reach the edge of the block. Let go of the mouse button and you will see the background can no longer be seen.

   

   

   
5. Repeat Step 4 for all sides of the block.

   
6. Click on the Save button to save the changes.

   
7. Click on the x button () in the top right corner to close the Fabric Editor window.
8. You can now see the edited fabric swatch for block B01.

   
9. Repeat Steps 02.1-7 for all your blocks. They can now be used in your quilt.