EQ 7 Software
 

Hi everyone, I've been debating on trying one of the electronic software's for designing quilts/templates, for me the only one I have heard the most about is this EQ7 one. I'd really like some feedback on what some of you use and whether or not you like them. I only have a Bernina machine so is that going to be a problem I don't have the embroidery functions on mine and I don't know if that makes a difference. Does the software need to be loaded into a long arm or is this something you can do on the computer?

Thanks everyone for stopping by and the advise is always appreciated.

Sheila

I have EQ7 and love it for designing quilts, its a bit of a steep learning curve for me but I have managed to design quite a few.
This software does not control an embroidery machine a long arm machine. It is purely for designing your own quilt patterns.

This might help explain what it does
http://electricquilt.com/online-shop/electric-quilt-7/

You might go back and read some previous posts about Electric Quilt software, there have been a few discussions.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...?highlight=EQ7
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...-a-t80082.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t215423.html

Also, there is a series of EQ tutorials posted right here on the board. If you end up getting EQ7, you might find these helpful.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tags/Electric%20Quilt.html

EQ7 is basically computer-aided design for quilts, all you need is a computer. They do not offer a Mac version, so if you are using a Mac you will need a windows virtual machine. It does not hook up to a longarm or embroidery machine. There is a separate module for embroidery, I don't know much about it, but it requires the purchase of both the embroidery software AND EQ7.

You can design quilts, quilt blocks, applique, import pictures for tracing, design quilting patterns and see how they'd look on your quilt. You can print out yardage estimates, templates, paper-piecing patterns, color images of what the quilt would look like. I used it to design scallops on a quilt - no tracing around plates and I was able to customize the size of the scallop to get exactly what I wanted.

I love my EQ. If you are skiddish about the cost, look for a used copy of EQ5... it does almost all of what EQ7 does.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions I'll check out the links and give it a go I love to design things and I've heard some at the LQS talking all excited about something they designed.

EQ7 runs only on the computer, however the add-on module, EQStitch, changes EQ7 so that you can also stitch out embroidery designs. If you don't want that capability, just buy EQ7.

I am more familiar with EQ5. My sister gave it to me a few years ago. It loads into the computer. Most of what I have learned on it has been from just playing. The greatest thing, (and I am sure EQ7 has it too) is that it will tell you how much of each fabric you need. I would say go for it. It is a lot of fun.

I have it, I really like it!! I still have so much to lean about it though.

I have it and 5 and 4 lol. I do use it to manipulate blocks but still have to learn a lot. I love it tho.