EQ
 

What's EQ?
Please help me.

It's quilt design software:
http://electricquilt.com/

It's wonderful. I've had my EQ5 for many years and don't know how I could quilt without it :)

My EQ5 is so wonderful! I can see what my quilt will look like before I ever start cutting. It tells you how big the quilt will be, and even tells you how much of each fabric you will need.

Not more that can be said. It is a software program that can print out a block with rotary instructions or as a paper pieced pattern. You can input a design than make the quilt smaller or larger almost instantly. I have own different versions since 1995.

A friend gave me hers, she could no longer use them - I believe there are 5 different versions - and since I have a Mac I wasn't able to use them. I now have a HP too and need to see if they will start up. Mary thought they were great.

there is a whole section devoted to EQ here on the board http://www.quiltingboard.com/tags/electric+quilt.html or you could just search it at the top of the page

I started with EQ6 and upgraded to 7 as soon as it was available. I also have the Dear Jane software (based on EQ5) and have purchased EQStitch, although I haven't loaded it yet. I use EQ to help me visualize just about every quilt I make. I use it to figure out patterns or to design new ones. It does have its limitations, but overall I love it!!!

You can use the EQ to visualize your quilt by importing pictures of your fabric. The newer versions have the best tutorials.

Besides rotary cutting instructions and PP printable designs, EQ has printed templates. I have take the templates to a local plastics company and had acryllic templates made to size.

All of the above is why I love EQ. If you can't get it yet, make a friend of someone who has it and check it out.
I have also done a lot of EQ for friends who wanted to 'see' their quilts and know the yardage necessary to make the quilts.