I am looking at purchasing the Electric Quilt software. Should I get No. 6 and save $60 or should I get No. 7?

I really want to just be able to record the patterns floating around in my head, but am not sure that I need the most current version to do that. The biggest thing I want to be able to do is to create my own block... say a log cabin type block using a charm square as the center. Such as what I am doing currently for my Charming Log Cabins quilt.

Thanks for your help, and advice.

Other options:

Find a used copy EQ5 for sale for under $70. - no installation issues or limits. It doesn't have a lot of the newer features, but it's really good stable version.

Skip 6 ( used) or new unless it's a really good deal - under $100.
EQ6 had a limited number of installs per user.

Watch Eleanor Burns site at http://quiltinaday.com/. She has periodically offered EQ7 on sale for $133.

Also, EQ has a lite version of EQ called Design Wizard:
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/QDW/QDW.asp
Priced at only $30, it's a nice basic entry to quilt design software, and should be able to do want you want.

If you decide in the future to get EQ7, you're not out much money.

I would get 7 because of the installations issue. Also, I'm sure that 8 will be along someday, with great new features, and upgrading from 7 to 8 will be easier and cheaper than from 6 to 8. For software that you think you will use frequently, I would always try to get the latest version.

There was a great improvement in the user interface for 6. I have the Dear Jane software, which is based on 5, and I find it much more awkward.

IMHO I would just purchase EQ7. It will be easier and cheaper in the long run to upgrade for sure and EQ7 has some nice extra features that 5 or 6 doesn't have. I love my EQ7 and have upgraded each time a new version has come out and it is alot cheaper that way. Actually I'm not sure that you can upgrade from EQ5 to EQ7..you can from EQ6-EQ7.

I also recommend 7 for the reasons listed above. And just FYI, 6 doesn't have a limited number of installs - it has a limited number of FREE installs. You can purchase extra installs for around $40, I believe. However, I never had to re-install 6. I was always puzzled by people who seemed to be reloading their OS all the time.

I have #6 and I have been having problems with it...I'm quite frustrated...when I first got it, it seemed to work fine, but the more I use it, the more "quirks" I find it has...when I can, I will upgrade to #7.

i have EQ5 and i love it. it does everything i need. i'm not a fancy art quilter, so don't need more bells and whistles.

Thank ya'all for the helpful advice. Going to sit on it a little longer to save up and get No. 7.
~Kimberlee

EQ5 was always my fave...6..skip it...if you want to learn and just do BASIC stuff...Quilt wizard is a really good jumping off point..you can find on ebay all the time really cheap...often for less than what I can buy it at wholesale!

I've got EQ5 and love it. Mom has 7 and can't understand it. I've not had a chance to look at it yet. Have fun figruing it out.