I'm new to the idea of using EQ - how does it work? What are the features? Is it a "must have" as it's someone pricey!!

I love it!!! I like being able to plan out a quilt or make my own design, I can easily enlarge blocks or miniaturize them, take pictures of my own fabric and see what my quilt will look like before I make the first cut! Quite a few patterns I print out as foundations instead of the templates as I prefer paper piecing. You can print out your whole quilt, each block in it, use the block print outs next to your sewing and cutting table.
You can go to Electric Quilt Company's home page and their is a good description of what all it can do.
I have EQ6 and you can overlay applique designs...and so much more!!!
I thought the manual was very well written, easy to follow and if you run into a problem you can call or email them during business hours and get an immediate response. There are also online groups that have a lot of info on it too.
Can you tell I really love this program???

I have EQ5 and I love it! I do small projects and I use it to record ideas I have seen and want to do later. It is pretty easy to use. It takes alittle time to learn all the features. I love to design on it and can spend hours playing!

If you click on search and type EQ into the search window you will see a lot of threads here on the board where this was discussed. It will give you a lot of answers. Hope this helps!!

I have EQ6, plus Block Base. I love these both. I haven't had EQ that long, so I can't tell you alot about it other than I'm still learning. You can however draw your own blocks, make your own quilts, etc. It's addicting to say the least.

If your interested in buying it, here's a place where you can get it cheaper than the $149

http://tinyurl.com/mw9mlc (Planet Patchwork) Add it to your cart so you can see the price..

I have it and absolutely love it, wouldn't be without it! :-)

It makes life SO much easier. You do need to spend the time learning it, and if you're not used to computers and software that can take time. But like amma said, the support from EQ is great.

I am one of those that don't find it easy to use! I always say 'the next snow storm, I will sit and read this book and figure this whole thing out'....but, I would rather be quilting!:0)I have also the quilt wizard...which I find very easy to use and quick. If I want a block printed, I can go quicker in my wizard to print and back out....can't on my EQ6. Plus the fact if I do have something figured out on they system...I don't go back or use it enough to remember and find myself going back thru all the 'how to' again. Sorry...I like quick-fast and read the directions last...my life is usually too crazy here otherwise:))

I found the book really good, I sat down and did the lessons. But I also like to tootu, and learned a lot from just playing. The video lessons are also really good when you just want to find out how to do one particular thing.

I love mine. I debated almost a year before buying it. The cost, you know. But it is worth every penny. You don't have to have it to quilt, but it does help.

I am like this too. Also, I like being more hands-on with fabric while I design. Doing everything on the computer first makes it more abstracted from reality than I like.

For $29.95 you could try the quilt design wizard, it is supposed to be more user friendly and is a "watered down" version of EQ. It does alot of the same things as EQ. I guess it depends on what you are looking to be able to do. Compare them both and see what you think.

http://www.quiltdesignwizard.com/qdw/about.asp

http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ6/EQ6.asp

check out the demo video too, on the EQ6 web page :wink: