I'm working on a quilt design and found that baycreek.com will create acrylic templates for my pattern pieced blocks if I sent it in eq5 or eq6 format.

I looked up eq6 and found that it is the output of the Electric Quilt. Looks like a very exciting package of features.

I'm interested in hearing what experiences this board has had with Electric Quilt 5, 6 or 7.

Thanks,
Guys!

I purchased EQ 7 a few months ago after wanting it forever. I installed it, played around with it the first day and then never touched it again. It comes with a instruction manual that is about 3" thick. I just sold it recently here on the QB. I just don't have the time to invest in learning how to use it.

I have EQ6 and love it. I could spend all day in there. I have not seen EQ7, but would love to get the newest version and try it out :lol:

Use it, love it.

You can find cheaper versions of the older, but still powerful and useful, EQ5 out there if you don't want to buy the latest EQ7.

Best price for EQ7 is at http://quiltinaday.com/shoponline/gi...ay.asp?i=28132 for $133, free shipping with orders over $150. The sale runs every few weeks so check back (it's on now).

And thanks for the baycreek information. That could come in handy in the future.
Here's the link :
http://www.quilttemplates.com/customorders.html

Best price for EQ7 is at http://quiltinaday.com/shoponline/gi...ay.asp?i=28132 for $133, free shipping with orders over $150. The sale runs every few weeks so check back (it's on now).

Great info! Thanks!

I have 6 & 7 and a whole bunch of standalone and EQ compatible software - Dear Jane, Farmer's Wife, BlockBase, Quilting Designs, Baltimore Album, etc.

If you like to work with computer graphics programs, you will like EQ just as much, because it contains a drawing program. You can draw pieced blocks with straight or curved seams or you can draw appliqued blocks with any shapes you can imagine. You can bring in your own paper sketches or a photo and use it as a guide for drawing, then discard the guide just like you'd use layers in graphics program.

If you want to be able to scan your own fabrics and create realistic mockups of a quilt, you will love this. Some fabric companies are already providing digital swatches of their fabrics - Connecting Threads, Moda, Andover and Northcott, that I know of. But EQ has an extensive library of fabrics as free downloads on their site, as well, and it's possible to at least match your fabric with one of the same overall color and value.

It's wonderful to be able to print so many helps from the program. Rotary cutting directions, cutting templates, foundation papers, applique templates, yardage charts, etc.

You can rotate blocks, make each one different, (as with a sampler) set them on point, set them with or without sashing, with or without borders, multiple borders, many types of borders, many types of layouts... it's a huge amount of fun. :)

The learning curve can be a little daunting but the program contains several videos that show you how to do some thing step by step. It's also got extensive help files and "How Do I?" topics - and it's got a web site with exhaustive information on a variety of EQ functions and projects.

If you design your own quilts or want to, EQ is such a huge help and so much fun that it makes up for the initial difficulty in learning. :)

I started with EQ5 - bumped to 6 and now up to 7. If you take a couple of hours to go through their tutorial... (which you can do while creating one of your own designs) you are proficient.

I create designs, templates, shopping lists and rotary cutting instructions.

LOVE IT!!!

Same here, too much learning curve. Tried to do the lessons, forgot everything the next time I went back to it and got tired of starting over.

i bought EQ5 years ago and cannot, simply cannot, live without it. i find it most interesting that baycreek.com will make your templates to match. that is a very good service to know about.

I have upgraded my EQ since it first came out...Each time they had a new one come out I upgraded...I spend either toooo much time here on the board or on my EQ7 program. Fiance' says I should just design quilt patterns and sell them as I don't seem to get anything else done :oops: . He is right of course...But I also like to quilt so I need to smartin up and find some balance between being on the board, eq program and quilting...hehehehe

I started with EQ5 then upgraded to EQ6. I found that it was fun to design quilts, even made one or two of them. What I did find useful was the section telling how much yardage you would need for the quilt. It breaks it down into colors and that is very handy. However, now, when I am designing a simple quilt, I usually just sketch it out on paper and figure it. For me, the use I receive from it is what I expect. Basically, EQ will give you back what you are willing to put into it. It is fairly easy to learn but time consuming. Lots of little details.

Frankly, unless you decide to design a lot of applique blocks which is not the easiest thing to do, you would be fine with EQ6 or even EQ5. Good luck!!

i've read that EQ6 can only be installed on a limited number of computers. i can install my EQ5 on any number that i want [i've had a lot of computers :) ]

I have 5 and upgraded to 7. Sad to say I have not used it not one time after installing it. It is like my other software. I have big plans and want to use it but little time to take a class or even play with it. Where does the time go?

EQ7 fixes the issues in multiple installs that EQ6 had (or so they say :) ).

I started with EQ3 in 1995 and currently have EQ5. I delight with being able to scan fabrics to use in my designs. With EQ5 you can add additional fabrics from their website. It is TERRIFIC if you have a pattern and want to alter the size. May take a little time to learn how to use the program but the instruction manuals are easy to follow. Lots of us use it and they are really great at answering questions. I just designed my first Bargello quilt on EQ5 and was delighted with the final results. You might find a used copy of EQ5 a little bit less expensive. GOOD LUCK !!

Beautiful!!!

Just to clarify - EQ6 came with a total of 4 allowable installs - this included multiple computers, hard drive replacements, etc.
You could buy additional installs if needed.
Many people, including myself, hated this system.
Me especially, as I seem to be afflicted with Chronic Multiple Hard Crive Crash and Failure Syndrome. :roll:

EQ listened and EQ7 was released with up to 2 allowable concurrent installs, which is a much more realistic and workable scenario.
The EQ Mothership does periodically check to make you're in compliance. ;-)

And just as an fyi, EQ5 - well, but you could install that version a gazillion times and you'd be fine.
No checking back with the EQ Mothership.

I use my EQ6 all of the time. It is great for sesigning you own quilt. I use it all of the time to estimate yardage and for templates when appliqueing.

I have EQ 5 but don't use it any more as it is not compatible with Windows 7. It was/is a handy program.

Moana - I love your Profile picture - I tried to open it and see a big picture of the quilt, but could not. Did you make the quilt? Please show us a bigger picture. It is beautiful!

Thank you.

I have EQ7 and absolutely love it!!!! There is a learning curve, but if you really run into a problem the staff at EQ is wonderful in supporting you.

You will spend a great deal of time playing with it once you figure it out though. The lessons are really invaluable to do.

I love importing my fabric to see how my stuff looks, instead of the library that's there though. I also like that I can take a pic of something and bring into the quilt. This actually has saved me a lot of wasted of fabric.

OMG there is soooo much you can do with this! If you love applique, then you can import a pic and trace around and get a pattern from it. Oh man, I could go on and on!

I have EQ7 and use it all the time when I want to try out a new quilt using my stash, which I have added to the library in my EQ7, I can see what the quilt will look like before I spend my time cutting anything. I also went to Quilt University online and took a class on how to make a sampler, was very helpful in understanding EQ7. If you go to the EQ website, you will see what can be made using EQ. Have fun.

I am an EQ addict...not just to design my own stuff, or to spend hours playing around in(better than a mindless game), but to help others figure things out!
Like they have "X" amount of fabrics and want "*" size quilt...it is fantastic.
I would say EQ5 is the BEST to learn on! I have 7 but not really happy with it, as I don't need all the stuff it comes with and it still won't do things that 5 did...but that is just me!

DO NOT let the manual scare you...I learned to use EQ and NEVER opened any manuals..and I am not a computer geek!
THese days the EQ site has so much to offer in the way of lessons/assistance that you will do fine with it!

I started with EQ5 and loved it. I upgraded to EQ6 and am still using that (hopefully I'll be getting the EQ7 upgrade for Christmas). I use it for playing with designs, recreating blocks from patterns so I can find an easier way to piece them, figuring yardage, auditioning quilting motifs, making my own patterns, etc. I love the software!

I have EQ6 and haven't used it in a very long time. Matter of fact I have new computers and probably can't install it on the new one anyway. I like to take it when we travel and play with it, but I don't use it often enough to remember anything the next time I try. Designed a custom quilt on it once and had some issues, so I called EQ for help and she was fantastic! I sent her my file and she studied it and then gave me what I needed to be able to complete it. Unfortunately, this quit (king) is a UFO - it's about half quilted and I cannot make myself finish it...at least for now.

I have used EQ since ver 4 came out and upgraded each time there was one available. I am now using EQ7. I love designing and coloring the quilts and getting them just the way I want them. In the new version you can scan in your fabrics and color your blocks with them. This way you know exactly what your finished product is going to look like. The last one I did looked exactly like the design. It is really helpful for color placement and also you can print out your blocks and pieces in correct size. You can also print out paper piecing foundations. Ann in TN

Ladydi64- can you tell me the web site for quilt university. I have eq7 an havent mastered using it yet. this may be very useful in helping me. Also do you know if i import a picture of a quilt block can i find a way to get templates of the block. Thanks for any help you can give

http://quiltuniversity.com/ for Quilt University.

You can import a picture of a quilt block and convert it to a drawing guide. You trace the drawing guide and then discard the guide, leaving the block pattern. :)

thank you so very much. its my day off work so this is what im going to do . ALL DAY lol

I have used EQ for several years and like it very much. It is definitely more than worth the cost if you enjoy designing your own quilts. I like being able to see what a design is really going to look like before I start cutting up fabric. I especially like that I can scan my own fabrics into the program. My favorite feature is Symmetry. It shifts and rotates the blocks in your design with each click, showing you the many layout possibilities of your blocks. If a block is appropriate for foundation piecing, you can print out the foundations. I have tried many designs (especially in borders) that I never would have tackled without the program. My avatar is a project that I designed in EQ. :thumbup:

I have a EQ5 and have it installed on my computer with
Windows 7 and use it all the time. Eq will help you with
the issues that you are having with instillation, all you have to do is give them a call. They are very customer friendly, and have never been disappointed with their service. I have not wanted to upgrade, mainly due to the added expense, I have always had wonderful service from them, when I had a question.

I think I'm in the minority, but I do not use my EQ5 and consider it a total waste of money. Of all the many quilting notions that I have spent money on, this is the one that I most regret purchasing.

So sell it.

I have EQ6 but use it very little. I think I am not really a creative type person. I do better with letting others do the designing and I do the making! I only have used it to design quilt labels and a few quilt tops. For me, it has not been a very good investment, but When I want to use it, then I am glad I have it on my pc.

It is a software package that will do the figuring for you but you do need to spend some time learning the program. I have EQ7 and have used it several times and like it. But you must invest the time needed to learn how to use it or it is a waste of your money.

I am technology challenged. I have EQ5 and can't make heads or tails out of my instructions. even bought a 2nd book on it. Just can't seem to get the hang of it!

I don't have EQ 5 but I have both the EQ 6 & 7 and love them. I do BOM ( block of the Month) for 2 quilt clubs and use the EQ making the BOM for the members. I still have a lot to go though the books but so far I have enjoyed EQ.

Thank you for suggesting the obvious, but I haven't yet finished playing with EQ5, nor studying the accompanying manual. Perhaps there is at least one feature that I will find useful, so that I will have either less or no regrets for having purchased it.

I have ver 5 and really don't use it to its max. I do like it for example to take a pattern for a lap size and enlarge it to a queen/king and then print out the fabric needed.....better than guessing, especially now that fab is so costly.

I don't "design" quilts so that is not a priority for me......I was going to upgrade, but decided what I use it for what I have right now is enough.

Ah, yes.
I see how I mistakenly inferred from your op that you were not yet done exploring the software and manual, and were, in fact, still searching for a useful feature.