I too went from hand drawing to QW to EQ6! I think it's a good path to follow! QW gives you a more affordable way of seeing if you like designing by computer or not - I know some don't! Plus I think QW is pretty easy to get to grips with (my 7 year old plays with it now) and when you upgrade to EQ6, it will look more familiar so be less intimidating because a lot of the basic features are the same. Although EQ6 is light years ahead in what it can do - I've barely scratched the surface with mine! If you want to mainly design quilts with blocks of the same size, then QW will do you. For custom blocks, drawing your own appliqué, designing your own blocks, quilting patterns, scanning in your own fabric and about a gazillion more options go for EQ6.