Electric Quilt 8
 

I have just looked into upgrading to EQ 8 from EQ 7. The upgrade is $100 for a program that costs $169 on Amazon.

Am I just being a Scrooge, or is that an awfully steep upgrade price for users that have already bought the software in the past?

I don't use this too often but I like to keep it updated. This time I am really hesitating.

My last upgrade was with EQ4. I just didn't use it enough to justify the cost. I know many people love it to death and use it all the time.. What I liked the most about it was how it made up PP designs. It sounds like a steep upgrade price to me considering that upgrades shouldn't be more than $50+ since the base of the program doesn't change all that much.

I started with the first EQ and upgraded through EQ7 and decided not to go to 8. I'm sure 8 has some nice features for someone who uses it to its fullest extent but for me and as infrequently as I use it the 7 has all the features I need. Hard decision to make. Look at what is additional over the 7 and if you'd use those features and if the upgrade cost is "pocket change" for you go for it.

i did upgrade to EQ8.
the interface is quite a bit different to 7 and below.

it isn't that i don't like it.
it's fine.
but i think you'll be happy enough if you stick with 7.

Agree
 

I wasn't a super user of EQ7 and I'm still not a super user of EQ8. That said, I'm sure there are some upgrades to 8 but I really haven't found them yet so I don't think the upgrade was worth the price to me.

I upgraded to EQ8 and do appreciate the changes. It is much easier to perform any procedure without having to look up the instructions. I don't use it all the time but when I do I do appreciate how much easier the EQ 8 is to use. I upgraded when it was first introduced and we got a special price. Don't remember what it was but I know at the time I felt it was worth it.

I upgraded to 8 from 7. It is me and I find 8 easier to use. Don't remember what the price was for the upgrade. I made a quilt years ago in a lap size in a class. A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to make it in a king-size. Had to create the block, add sashing and borders. Was very happy with the king-size quilt. It was easy to decided on width of sashing and size of borders.

I think it is all dependent on how much you use EQ 7 and how comfortable you are with computer programs.

I started with 5 and have now upgraded through 8. I did the upgrade when it first came out. I agree with PatriceJ - the interface is different and it took me quite awhile to get used to. In all honesty, EQ7 covered most of everything I really needed to do and as always there are many features that I never use. The one ability I love is I can easily manage the computers I have EQ loaded on unlike 7 (there is a tab in EQ8 where you can "deactivate" a computer).

I am a techie so play with EQ for almost everything I make so the upgrade was good for me.

I upgraded 3 years ago when 8 first came out. It was $75 then. I do appreciate the upgrades, but I use the program all the time.

For those who have EQ, do you mostly use it to design quilts or what? I am considering buying it with some gift cards I received and would be interested in hearing how y'all use it.

Thanks!

I use it to play with colors in a layout before I buy/cut fabrics. First I create the quilt in EQ, then color the pieces approximately the way I think I want them to see how it works out.

I did this for a quilt for my brother where I was playing with different interesting border ideas and I think he enjoyed getting to "design" how his quilt would be done.

I agree. I was *very* comfortable and familiar with 7, upgraded to 8, still use them both but I think I prefer 8. It's just slightly easier to use, but not enough so that I'd recommend you upgrade. If you have 7 you're not missing anything.

I use it to design quilts, figure out fabric requirements, test out different color options. I like to see if I can reverse-engineer blocks and quilts I see; I believe deconstructing blocks makes me a better piecer. I also do it for entertainment. I'll sit with my husband in the evenings watching tv and designing quilts.

This is one reason I think I would use it... Color/fabric choices. I also like that I'd be able to change things and get an idea ahead to time now it would work out.

Thanks!

Thanks for your input Peggy. This is what I image, and hope, I would use it for. Not just practical reasons but for entertainment too.

I upgrade when 8 first came out, so cheaper then. I like it Much better than 7, could never find anything on 7 but 8's set up so it makes sense to me. I use it to design quilts, play with layouts, experiment with color combos, and figure yardage. lt's really come in handy when I was still in the t-shirt quilt business for layouts. I'm taking classes virtual at the 2021 QuiltCon on using it for designing modern quilts and I can't wait.

im afraid I wouldn’t get anything done if I had either one...especially sewing. LOL

I've beem upgrading it since I got the 1st version. Never really used it much but decided after getting V8 I'd take some lessons on how to use it. The lessons are amazing online. The basic is 3 times a week. The master is once a week. I've learned so much from these lessons. They can get your creative juices flowing. I think these lessons are for both 7 or 8 if interested. My only regret is that I didn't take these lessons sooner.

That’s how I use it. It’s helped my design process. Graph paper is great but with EQ you don’t have to redraw the whole quilt to make a few changes. I usually go through several layouts before settling on the final. You can click through all the variations to make your final decision. I can then print out the design and use it to make notes as I sew the quilt. It’s also helped me to improve my color choices and placement. And I like having the yardage calculations and diagram showing cutting sizes of individual pieces. Plus it’s just fun to play with. I’ve designed far more quilts than I’ll ever make.