EQ 7 quilt software
 

I'm thinking of getting this software. Any inputs pros cons? Howdifficult is into learn.
Thanks

Well, I have had previous versions and I just bought EQ7 a few months ago. Jumped from version 5.0. Still trying to learn the new icons and everything that has been an upgrade. There are lots of videos on EQ7 but my older computer won't let me view them. I know that Rhonda has a tutorial on EQ somewhere posted on this site. I could NEVER live without my EQ. I resize a lot of quilts for charity so it is very seldom that I am not using it every day. LOVE it.

i'm still on version 5. i, too, use it almost daily. couldn't imagine life without it.

I, too, am still using v 5.0. It can be a challenge sometimes but I think, for the most part, the built in tutorials, along with the book, explain things fairly well. And as ManiacQuilter says, Rhonda's tutorials are also available and invaluable. It's definitely an investment, but one well worth it, in my opinion. I certainly don't use it to it's fullest advantage but it's awesome for re-sizing; getting a view of what various colorations will look like, etc.

I have EQ7. I have taken a couple classes on it at shows, but the video tutorials are very good. I love what I can do with this. Fun to be able to try out colors and upload my own stash. I would purchase it again.

The manual tutorials that come with it are good -- much better than Version 5 or 6

I have it but never use it...

I want to make so many quilts already. I can't imagine the number of quilts I'd like to make if I had this and could design them **drool** Maybe one day I can buy it.

The video tutorials are fairly good and, when used with the manual, actually useful.

However, EQ7 is NOT intuitive for the user who likes to 'figure things out' and ignore the manual.

Confession: Yes, i am that person; partly because when I worked in IT I had to design and test user interfaces. The best testing was just rummaging around in the software, so that's my preferred way of learning software.

In my "learned" opinion, it is not possible to learn EQ7 based only on the video's, nor can you just "play with it" and become anything more than a true novice using it. You must read the manual, or you'll get frustrated very easily.

In my case, I have used it several times to design quilts. I like that I can scan my fabrics into it, that I can see how a quilt will look before I actually make it, that I can easily change the fabrics/colors in a quilt. Haven't used the applique or quilt motif features yet, and probably never will.

The best advice that I can give you is to make sure it is a tool that you both can and will use in the coming years. Find someone who both has it and uses it and ask if you can try it. If your LQS uses it, ask if they can show it to you and preview the features to you.

PS: another use for EQ7: When I can't sleep at night, I take out the EQ7 manual and READ it. Usually, I'm ready to sleep within half an hour or less.

Thank you for all the input so far. Will definitely consider buying it.

Respectfully disagree with CathyVV ... I did learn EQ 99% by winging my way through. Every now and then I would pick up the book or ask a QB member how to do something.

That said, I've designed mostly basic stuff. Blocks and whole quilts, straight and on-point, with and without borders. I have also scanned some of my own fabrics into it to use. I've not tried bargello or appliqué, and I don't use it at all for quilting designs (not yet anyway).

I love it and found it easy to learn.

If you do a search, you will find all the previous threads with a hundred different opinions on EQ.

I love it. I don't use it a lot but I don't regret buying it.

I have had EQ7 for quite a while. I love it and wouldn't do without it. However, here's what I think from my experience with other people using ANY software. If you LOVE computers and LOVE working with software, you will LOVE EQ7. If you're the type that want someone else to read the manual and then tell you how to do it, this is NOT for you. You'll be frustrated no end. And your money will be wasted.

However, if you're like me and LOVE computers and LOVE to learn new software to enjoy the challenge of seeing what you can do, then you'll enjoy EQ7.

I enjoy being able to design my own quilts instead of being stuck with patterns. Also, I've taken quilts from magazines, recreated them in EQ7 and re-sized them, re-arranged their blocks to create my own patterns based on their ideas. I can then go online and download pics of different materials and try them out prior to purchase.

I always make my own stencils using this program as well. I can drag it onto the quilt, it to the quilt, then print it out, knowing it's going to work.

I love it and use it constantly. When I find a block or quilt layout I like I make it up in EQ and am trying to remember to make notes to give credit to the online source. My GD's (ages 5 to 11) love to color quilts from the layout section. Last night I was amazed by the 11 yo's ability to "guess" what to do. They'd rather use the bright white based colors over my "country" colors!

To be honest I've had it for several yrs but just now learning it. I go to my LQS once a month and we are learning how to create the Dear Jane quilt blocks and then in the afternoon we take those bitmaps that we created and turn them into embroidery designs in 5 and 6D Pro. The EQ7 part of the class is the easiest part for me and I have to work harder on the digitizing part. I've also just started doing the tutorials on line. One of the girls in my class said the since doing some of the tutorials it all makes since a lot eaiser. So as far as I'm concerned its not that expensive (5D was around 2000) so its worth the try and I'm sure if you don't like it you could sell if easy.

When I want to do something in EQ7 and it's new to me, I just go to EQ forums and search the forum. The answer is always there. If not, someone will post how to in a few minutes. It's fast and step by step. Check out EQ forum.