I recently bought EQ6 and am loving it! So much fun! I, too, would like to know what is the difference between it and EQ7. I have no plans right now to upgrade, but someday... if there is a difference worth getting.

I have Quilt Pro 123 version. I really like it. You can design a quilt and add sashings and borders. You can scan in your own fabrics to see how they will look, but I rarely do that. I just choose a fabric from the many collections to insert in to the blocks to see how it will look in an full sized quilt. Then you can go to Print Preview and it will give you the yardages you will need of each fabric. You can print that with a square for each fabric (like a sample) and how much fabric you need of that color. I think it is simpler to use that EQ so think more people would actually learn to use it.

NOT the soft ware, but embroidery programs that quilt in the hoop, thats my current thing. :-)

I have EQ7, Quilted Photo Delux, Foundation Factory, Sew Precise, Inklingo, PCQuilt (I don't know if this is still for sale but it's very simple and inexpensive). Lot of software that comes with quilt books too. My DH says I quilt by computer and checkbook.

Now you need to go buy Triangulations. ;)

I think EQ7 is worth every penny it costs. We had EQ5, and EQ6 and my dh "drafted" our designs. Now with EQ7, I can make my blocks and go from there.,,run with outline drawing of block or with material we are going to use...templates or pp...mess up???just print it again.

Cannot imagine trying to design blocks and quilts without it. And if there is a problem, their help line and tech helpers are as handy & close as your telepone; they are wonderful,and very helpful. I would highly recommend EQ programs.

I have had Quilt Pro for many years. Each version gets better. I recently bought Electric Quilt. I find them both good. EQ has better graphics and fabric selection, but I like Quilt Pro when I am preparing instructions for making a quilt. The flexibility in the block part of the EQ program just isn't there. I wish I could pick and choose the features I like best and make my own integrated program

Triangulations? What is that?

You mean it can do that? So, it'll tell you how much fabric you need to do a double star block? ;)

It's software that lets you print out the papers to make half square triangles. Kinda like thangles but you can print out whatever size and however many you need.

Whenever I go to eBay and search for EQ, there seems to be these little offshoot programs to add to it.

Which program do you all think is best for someone who's good at quilting, but not good at computers. I don't care 2 cents if it has all the fabrics ever made on it or not. I would probably just paint in a solid. Right now I draw everything out on paper and the math is awful for my head. When I draw it out, I use regular colored pencils to try colors.

I'm looking for a program that can show me how a whole quilt would look if I give it one block, how much fabric to worry about, and the strip piecing method to make said blocks. I'd also like something that has quilting motifs on it as I hand quilt and I can't just create designs that aren't there. I use SID, echo and a couple stencils right now.

EQ7 sounds too fancy schmancy for me and I probably won't use all the features. I want to get the most out of my money. Would quilt pro or quilt wizard be better?

I gave Quilt Design Wizard to my daughter to play with when I got EQ5 and then the upgrade to 6. I doubt if I will get 7...5 and 6 do enough for me.

What is quilting software, the batting? LOL

:lol: :thumbup: :lol:

I agree, the Quilt Wizard would be the best to start with. I also went on to an Electric Quilt (EQ) but I love the Wizard to play with. You can catch them on Ebay for less as I did.

I think EQ7 is easier to use with a lot more features, also they have a software named STASH which has all the material that has come out for the quarter and you can buy several years back so you don't have to scan in all that material. Should read about online. I also have a program called Blockbase which is also compatibile. I think this is why I like EQ because so many programs work with it.

I am learning to use EQ7

I have that one, I forgot about it. I also have the big poster maker software I used to make a block extra large for a quilt show display. I found the PC Quilt website. http://www.pcquilt.com/

What exactly would the quilting software help you with?

What exactly would the quilting software help you with?

Oh yes, I have EQ4,5,6 and now EQ7...It is amazing what you can do with this program. I'm still learning and finding new things about this program...there just doesn't seem to be no end to it....love love it....now I am looking into QuiltQad for designing my pantographs for my long arm....

I have quiltbuilder, 123quilt, and just ordered quiltpro. I really enjoy mine a lot and use them all the time! I even bought copies of them for my mom! Who needs computer games, I have my quilt desing programs!!!
For those of you asking what they are for, it is a software program that you get to design a quilt on, you can choose your sizes, your blocks (some you can desing your blocks), choose some fabrics and get the sizes to cut, etc...well worth the money (no matter which one you buy) if you like to do your own patterns!
Just for fun, you can go to 123quilt.com and download a free 30 day trial of 123quilt to play with. I don't think you can print with the trial, but it is fun all the same!!!

I have had several versions of EQ and upgraded to the newest and have loved them all. Initially it took some time committment to get the hang of it but now I'm all set.

Quilt software will help you design your own quilts, but I have used it to layout blocks and sashing and the software will tell you how much fabric you will need, for top and backing. It will even print out templates in what ever size block you need. You can change the block size with one click. It will tell you the size of the quilt and you can add or subtract borders to make your quilt the size you need.
It can be very helpful.

So, you can pick block types, colors, etc. and it'll tell you how much fabric to buy? IE, I want to do a double star quilt, twin size. I have no idea how much fabric that would be. This software would tell me?

You have many basic blocks in the library of block designs. Find one similar or design it and save it to the blocks designs. Then tell the software What size block you will be using and how many blocks across and down will be in your quilt. What size sashing, if any, what size borders and it will tell you how much fabric you need to get... You can layout the design on the diagonal or straight set. Is your design...

Wow, that is nifty. Thanks!!

Forgot to mention that I also have Judy Martin's Stars & Sets. Lots of neat precreated star sets in that software. It's not a substitute for EQ but is a nice addition.

I have EQ5, and am so happy to have it. But I confess, I have to relearn things sometimes, because I don't use it frequently enough!

I'm pretty sure someone ask this question and I missed the answer, but what does EQ7 have that EQ6 doesn't have. I have EQ6 and Quilt Wizzard. I didn't think QW had enough design options, for me.

Wow! Thanks Ladies for all the great information. It gives me a lot to think about. Most of you seem to EQ so the majority rules, I think I will check it out. Sounds like it would be worth the investment. Thank you very much. Dolores

Best wishes for a full recovery after your chemo.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. I've been able to design my own blocks, play with them and make the quilts with no hassle or guess work. Have even been able to get by with only one mag subscription and take it for the inspiration only. Have to mention again, the supplimental tutorial books are a good way to get familiar with the features.

I wish I weren't such a klutz when it comes to the computer. That would be right down my alley. I love to analyze blocks to see if I can do it without a pattern and by strip quilting. Amount of fabric needed for a quilt is still a big mystery to me! I just buy a lot or reinvent the wheel if I'm short.

I have EQ7 and I am learning to use it. It isn't complicated but I need to pay more attention to the book. It is nice to see your quilt made up and scanning material is easy. I do like it a lot. Just need to play with it more and learn more.

I have been using EQ for a long time, now on EQ7 and love it! It does take some time to learn, but so worth it!

OK Ladies, you convinced me I am waiting on my EQ7, I think it will help me alot and I know if I need a question answered I know where to come. Thank you to everyone.It is supposed to be delivered today.

I too must say thanks. I've learned a lot on this thread and I think Quilt Wizard will be the best way to start out. Thanks for starting this thread, it was very informative.

Dolores: As someone already posted, Quilt Design Wizard is a great place to start. It is published by the Electric Quilt (EQ) people and teaches you the basics. The program calculates the amount of fabric you will need for your creation accurately. Plus you get to actually see if you like what you thought up. I consider it a good stepping stone for the big program EQ6 or EQ7. A friend has let me use her "7" while I'm saving to get mine. Just depends if you like to use computers or not. EQ7 takes a little while to learn but there is online help...

Grammy- I know there are more custom design options on EQ7. There are 5000 fabrics in the library, plus you can scan your own fabrics into the program.
Jovi