Quiltingboard Forums - Frequently Asked Questions about EQ

There have been many discussions here and in chat, about the cost/differences in this program and it's different versions. As well as where to go and get the best price.

With Christmas around the corner, I have been asked more questions about it now, it is no secret that I LOVE my EQ programs and use them almost daily for some quilt related task. :wink::D

So I thought I would give a very basic rundown of the 3 newest versions as well as Quilt Design Wizard, available through EQ Co. As well as post some of the questions that I have frequently been asked about these programs.

Some have asked about classes available to help with these programs. I have seen some offered online at Quilt University, and I have heard about some being offered at some LQS's too. You may want to contact your local LQS or guild to inquire about them.
A class/classes might also be fun to have at a quilt retreat, too :wink:

I have found with EQ6 and EQ7 that if you sit and go through the lessons/sections, repeating them until you can do them easily, was the easiest way for me to learn them.
I also used the video tutorials within the programs too. It is nice to read them, see them, between the two, it was easier for me to learn the programs.
Many forget that they are there, I have too :oops: and now I find myself going there more often to refresh my memory, or learn a new function of the program.

It may also be helpful to print out the pages from the links I will be listing under each of these products. It may be easier to spread them out to see the differences, rather than flipping from screen to screen :wink: :D

You can also check out the videos offered on EQ's website. They are very nice to watch, and show how many of these features can be used.
There is also a section for their segments in the tv show, "Quilting Arts."
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/Video.asp

If you already own this program, or thinking of buying it, don't forget to check out their free section. Projects, tips, fabric downloads, etc... get listed there every month. Be sure to sign up for their monthly newsletter as a reminder as well as for all of the great info in them.
This is how I knew that they had interviewed one of our members, Geta, that month :D

If you own EQ7, you can download and use projects from prior versions too.
If you own EQ6, you cannot download and use projects from EQ7. The projects must be from your version, or prior ones :wink:

http://www.electricquilt.com/Users/Users.asp

With the exception of Quilt Design Wizard, you can purchase upgrades to the older versions of EQ. This is another question that I have been asked :wink:
They are advertised a couple of months or so before the release date of the newest version of EQ, and are usually considerably cheaper by pre-ordering rather than after the newest version is released.

The same holds true with purchasing the Newest Version, the best deals can be had if you purchase them from EQ or a shop by pre-ordering.

With many of us doing online shopping, receiving numerous emails from various shops, and doing the bunny hop, I thought maybe we could share any good deals that have been found on these programs here, too. Feel free to add links to sales/good deals here :D

Quilt Design Wizard:
This is a much more simplified version of EQ. It is also less expensive than the other versions.
It has 200 blocks and 3000 fabrics in the program, and you can go to a website to download additional blocks and fabrics each month.
You cannot draw your own blocks in this program, but you can resize the ones that are there.
You should also be able to find a similar fabric (at least in color) to your own, to color in the blocks, too.

More info on Design Wizard, scroll down the page
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/QDW/QDW.asp

EQ5:
If All you want to do is to be able to draw out a quilt, enlarge/reduce block sizes, and play with fabrics already included in the program, EQ5 may be just the program for you.
It is an older program, but it does have a LOT of the basics that may suit your needs and your pocket book better than versions 6 or 7.
It has 3100 block patterns (pieced, foundation, applique,quilting stencils) and 11700 fabrics.
It is also available on Ebay, I have seen some there for half or less price, some used too for even better prices.

More info on this version, scroll down the page
http://www.electricquilt.com/shop/eq5/eq5.asp

EQ6:
EQ6 is a wonderful upgrade from EQ5, but the main drawback is that you can only download it so many times... so if your hard drive crashes, you upgrade computers frequently, or use more than one at a time, this version may not be the one for you.

It has more bells and whistles than EQ5, you can import pictures of your own fabrics, as well as pictures of objects to trace around to make blocks.
There are other added features, and you can find the info here, scroll down the page.

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

EQ7:

This is the newest version, and they have added even more features.
You have unlimited downloads with this version, as long as you only have it installed and activated on two computers at a time. You can easily deactivate it from one computer and install and activate it on another.
This was one of the main reasons that I upgraded from EQ6... and :oops: I liked some of the newer features too :lol:

To be honest, I have not gone through this program as thoroughly yet as EQ6, but the description in EQ's website is very clear, regarding these newest features.

Being relatively new, you may find some better prices in Ebay than quilt shops, as the shops are restricted to how low they can set their prices (or so I have been told.)
Ebay has them listed as new and unopened, to open and never/slightly used, and used.

Here is the description, scroll down the page
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ7/EQ7.asp