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.

I started with EQ5 and upgraded to 6 and the 7 and never learned to use any. :(

what???? you can do it...you really do not need to "LEARN" much..if you just start playing around with the basics like layouts, color blocks, etc..you can do a lot with just that knowledge..THEN branch out if you need/want to!

Does anyone know where I can buy a copy of EQ 5? I had it on my computer before it crashed. And now I can't find my CD! Help! I also want to know if I buy EQ 6 or 7, will I be able to use the tutorial book I purchased for EQ 5. This is very disappointing because Electric Quilt no longer sells EQ 5.

Well with all the talk of which EQ version to buy, I just had to speak up! First yes you can upgrade from EQ5 to 7. You need to call EQ and they will give you the price for the upgrade. Now remember that EQ upgrades are full versions of EQ products. They load a completely new EQ version on the computer. Yes EQ6 had only 4 installs per cd. That being said you could receive more by phoning EQ directly and speaking to Penny( an owner) and then be up and running. EQ 5 vs EQ7 two totally different programs. The buttons are in different places. They are named differently etc. The nice thing about EQ6 and 7 is the ease of use. What I mean is I feel that 6 and 7 are more intuitive. I find it easier to teach than EQ5 ever was. Yes EQ7 has many bells and whistles. If you ever wanted to do a memory quilt 7 is the way to go. Also EQ7 has to talk to the internet to verify that it is on the correct computers. It can be loaded on as many computers as you want. BUT only TWO computers can be active at any time.For example a laptop and a pc. Yes you can run EQ on a Mac if you run parallel ports. I am happy to answer any questions on EQ I am a happy user since EQ4 and also teach EQ.
Happy New Year Luann

I've had EQ6 and upgraded to 7, LOVE it! I use a lot of pictures to print labels, which you can edit right in the program. EQ7 is also much easier to scan your own fabrics and smooth them out right in the program rather than with another type of software. It just depends on what you want to do, but I much prefer 7.

Here is the Electric Quilt Section with all the threads posted there. I have been posting EQ classes every Monday on here. There are also discussions in some of the threads about the EQ versions

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tags/electric+quilt.html

Hi Luann,
I am a mac user, but I use EQ5 on dh's pc right now, because I don't know what parallel ports are?? Can you please explain to me. thanks

It just went on sale at EleanorBurns.com. When I got mine I didn't have to spend that much more to qualify for free shipping and I'd rather spend my money on fabric that shipping. EQ7 is the one on sale for 138