If you can't afford to purchase EQ new you may be able to find a used older copy for sale from someone that is upgrading. There is a Yahoo group where members post used sewing items for sale and you can also check here on the board in the sale items area. You can post an ISO (in search of) request and wait for someone to respond. I have found many items this way.
I started out with graph paper and colored pencils but find EQ so much faster and it does the fabric calculations for you. In addition you can rearrange and use different colors with just a few clicks. I sit and play with it during the evening while DH is watching TV.
Last edited by ncredbird; 01-17-2013 at 06:10 AM.
Reason: mispelled word