My mom knew I'd never spend the cash to buy Electric Quilt software for myself and would be using graphing paper and rulers until the end of time...so she bought me EQ6.

I've edited a block, imported fabric, done a quilt layout....and I haven't even read a tutorial yet. :oops: (In my defense, the software has a similar "feel" as Photoshop, and I learned that without reading the book too.)

Anyone else have the software? :lol: Even more importantly, does anyone actually make quilts from the software, or do you spend time doing layouts and not creating?

I can see myself wanting to create virtual designs instead of doing it in fabric....

Hooray for you! I got EQ6 for Christmas as well from my dh, but I'm dutifully going through the tutes since I'm just that way! :-) I don't know how I'll end up using it, to tell you the truth, but I DO know that I have designed a table runner that I fully intend to start working on actually sewing here in the next week. I have a lot of things in my head I'm hoping to get put together in EQ.

I have to confess...DH never gets me anything for Christmas but he tells me to get whatever I want and he means it. I usually say "I don't need anything and let it go at that." This year he ordered EQ6 for me and now that I have the virus I got for Christmas off my computer I've been playing around with the program. I've got a quilt in my sketchbook that I plan to make as soon as I get the fabric for...just a simple design but it's mine. I got the printout for the pattern pieces and the fabric requirements, but how do I get the sewing directions printed? :oops:

Yes, I have EQ6...and I have had EQ since version 3. I love this program! Yes, I have made many quilts after designing them in EQ. I also use it to audition colors for my blocks when doing swaps or Quilt Alongs. Be sure to go to www.electricquilt.com and sign up for the newsletter. They you will be reminded to download the free fabrics each month and vote for the next month. They have some mystery quilts too to do in EQ. There is lots of good stuff on the website. And if you feel like you would like to take a class, check out Quilt University at www.quiltuniversity.com Their classes by Fran Gonzolez and Patty ??? (shoot the name just left my brain) are terrific. I took all the EQ5 ones and learned a ton...more than I got by reading the books and playing around with the software!

I don't think there are sewing directions included. Since it's design software that allows you to create your own blocks, it would be next to impossible to determine the best way to piece everything. (If I'm wrong, someone please say something!!)

Hi there, stranger. I hope you and your family have had a wonderful holiday season.

I'm psyched about the fabric downloads--I spent NYE downloading them. I have to admit that I chose that over NYE celebrations with friends. This whole quilting thing has become a sick, sad disease!!

Piecemaker, thanks for the link to the EQ classes. I have been looking for one in my area with EQ5 and they have all gone to E6 classes...I will check this out and probably take a class or 2!

I have EQ5 and I have designed a couple lap quilts with it. I love the software. The only problem I have had is determining how much fabric to buy. I have heard that EQ6 does a much better job giving accurate fabric requirements. I have never seen sewing instructions on EQ. I learned to quilt by doing block of the month at the local quilt shop and just applied what I had learned there. Kathy

CONGRATS! Don't you love it?

I have the EQ5 version and at 1st I didn't read the instructions either and it is the easiest sofeware I've ever used.

I use it and do make the quilts I designed with it.

I too recieved EQ6 for christmas. Love it. DH gave it to me early so I have played with it a lot. It doesn't give sewing directions but it does give piecing order under print/foundation pattern. Hope that helps you.

I have already made one quilt I designed using the software for a Christmas gift and going to be starting another soon that I designed with EQ6 for my mom. :D

Thanks for the help in printing out sewing directions...no wonder I couldn't print them if they aren't available... :lol: It pays to ask someone who would know instead of beating my head against the wall trying to figure it out.
It's one of the reasons why I like this place so much...so many people willing to help you when you need it.

one thing I REALLY love about EQ is the ability to make a square in ANY size...
as a 'for instance'... when you find squares in books or mags, they are a certain size and you can make them another size, of course, by doing all sorts of math - I hate math, but with EQ you just put in the size you want and the program takes care of it all!

Another great use is for sampler quilts and you can try a bazillion squares til you find the ones you want....

I have not tried a quilt with different size squares (or rectangles as the case may be) so not sure how (or if) that is done...

I have EQ5 and LOVE it! I have made quilts from designs I drew...why else would I waste my time with it??? It is great for auditioning borders for the Round Robins too.

I don't have EQ any number and don't know much about it. Do I have to have another version first to run the current one? Can I use it on any pc? And what can you tell me about quilting university?
Thanks for the replies- but in this area I am totally out of the loop.
Cheryl in RI

The same reason some of us have a zillion UFOs and a giant stash??? :oops: This is just another symptom of someday-itis for me.

No, you don't have to have one version to run another version. If you have a version you can buy the upgrade to the next version. Since you don't have any version becare not to buy an upgrade. You will have to buy the full version. Hope that makes since.

I don't know anything about quilting university.

As far as sewing directions, it's true they don't give those to you, but if you go the the print menu and look at the paper piecing tab you can see in what order to sew your blocks together.

You would want the EQ6 (full version) if you are starting from scratch (Sometimes you can still find EQ5 but not too often now. Personally, I would just go for the 6) It works with any PC running XP or Vista. I don't think they have a version that runs on a Mac without having some type of emulation software. I could be wrong about that though so you should check the EQ website. Quilt University www.quiltuniversity.com offers many types of online quilting classes from beginning classes on piecing and machine quilting to design, to computer design quilting. They have classes starting each week so you really need to check their website for those that are available and those that are coming up. I have taken many of their classes for several different teachers and I have NEVER been disappointed with a class. I think the price is comparable to a LQS class with the advantage of being able to take the class at the time that is covenient for me...Their website has a free sample class, a discussion forum, and tips...so if you have a questions, someone on the site will be able to help you.

Thanks for the information. I will look up EQ and quilting university and let you know what happens.
Cheryl