sampson001

I am thinking of buying an EQ but not sure were to start. What type of things in the programme should I look for what are the benefits of having one and what are the drawbacks. I sound a litte dumb, but have only recently came across EQ on this forum. Any special brand better than another. Maybe it's time for me to go back to classes and get up to date with my patch working. I do belong to a patchwork sewing group, no teacher is involved we share thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for any help you can give me

woody

There is only one EQ on the market but there are other design programs out there, there is Quilt Design Wizard also made by the Electric Quilt Company, it's a more basic version of the EQ program. There also seems to be one called Quilt-Pro which I don't know anything about. There are probably others out there too. I can't seem to find where they have reviews for the various programs so you might have to look them up individually and see what they can do. I have EQ7 (which is the latest version) and I like it, but I think I could play on it forever and not use all the features it has .

deemail

Please go here and read some of the info and see what's possible before you decide. Besides that, know that the lessons here are here on QB for everyone to work and use, as many times as they need to... Our moderator/teacher is Rhonda and she has done a wonderful job of walking us thru the basics to begin and onto the more complex parts of EQ as we progress. She posts a new lesson on Monday, but we can get it any time.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...n-t166726.html
Here is the first week...the link is on the first page so you can find the others... remember, they are here for us to go to and go back to as often as we need.... enjoy

sampson001

Thank you Woody and Deemail for your very helpful answers. I was looking at the EQ 7 and will look at Rhonda's tut.
Will let you know when I have made my decision. Thanks again, God bless.

Sierra

I bought the eq 7 after checking and double checking that I could use it for designing non-block quilts. I was not able to figure it out on my own for several reasons. I have a MacBook Pro and had to have a pc side added to it which ended up causing problems (we live in farm land and our internet service isn't the best). So I put it on my husbands pc and went to a class. I paid $50 for 3 classes and each time asked if they were ever going to discuss free-form design and was told "yes" but that teaching person never did... most people aren't interested it in landscape, etc., quilts. I had a grandson work with me, but nerd as he is, he had trouble figuring out how to work it. Right now I've lent it to a friend to play with, and I hope I can sell it to someone. DH and I are off on a 3 month long commitment so it will have to wait.

I can't blame the program; I am electronically challenged. I programed years ago when computers allowed you to go into their guts and take care of problems, but I've been retired for 14 years now and I'm not able to figure out how to work with a program that does it all for you, you just have to understand the process. It may work for you, but do try to use a friend's copy before you put out the money to buy your own (unless money isn't an issue, of course).

crafterrn1

I have used EQ since version 4. I love it. There is a learning curve to EQ. Most want to rush in and do landscape arty quilts or use custom setting for quilts. You do need to go thru the basics first! I teach EQ as well. I also know that if you love photos and memory quilts EQ6 or 7 is what you need. EQ 7 has many wonderful new features. It also allows you to have it activated on 2 machines. You can have it on 100 machines but only 2 can be active at one time. EQ checks in with the company about 3 times a year via the internet. So you may get a pop up telling you you have 30 days to connect. Once it connects all is well. This replaced the activations with a limit on EQ6. If you never crash or update and operating system EQ6 may work. I went thru all mine and actually bought a second upgrade for that very reason. I love EQ and can't imagine not using it. I also have Quilt Pro a basic program for designing quilts. Not as complicated as EQ. I am a techno geek so I love the challenge of EQ. Check the websites of the programs and see what feels right for you. Pm me if you need more information. Luann