EQ7/EQ8 Tips, Q&A here!
 

Having struggled to learn EQ7 for five years before finally figuring out the basics, I figure this could be a good place for people like me to ask questions, get answers, and post user tips. If you have EQ software sitting idle because you are frustrated with it, ask some questions here!

I am thrilled to finally be able to create some quilts in EQ7. What really jump-started me (after 5 years of getting mostly nowhere) was a free video tutorial series by Kari Schell called "Catch the Waves":
https://www.onpointquilter.com/blog/...-quilt-newbies

She also has a blog with short video tutorials in her archives: https://www.onpointquilter.com/ . I found her Irish Chain quilt helpful: https://www.onpointquilter.com/blog/double-irish-chain

Thank you Prism99.
I went to the link you suggested and found an Irish Chain lesson for EQ8. Finally I found out how to add my applique designs to blocks that I have created. So easy and yet I was always missing that one important step, click the serendipity button and there was the merge block function.
The first tip and already I have a big frustration resolved.

So glad it helped!

You all have my interest piqued, I never considered buying the software before...but I also have a lot of unfinished things I've just 'winged', lol. So, basic question, I see it says you can 'design your own' but how flexible Is that? What I'd like to do is use some fabric I have (several years OOP) which contains both rectangular panels and smaller pieces I would complete in a square. Could I customize my design to use the dimensions of the pieces I have? Do the 'squares' all need to be the same size when drawn?
TIA!

Thanks for this thread. I have EQ7 and have never taken the time to learn it. I tried to learn when I first got it, even bought a book to help. But it seemed there was just so many "things" that had to be done/remembered that I never got the hang of it. I "tried" to make it a resolution last year but you know how those resolutions go. Anyway, my question is: I understand that EQ8 is much easier to use (so the promos say), and EQ7 has so many steps to get something accomplished....the layers, so many buttons to choose, etc. Would upgrading to EQ8 eliminate some of those steps, buttons, layers, etc.? Is it more intuitive? Is it really easier to use?
Thanks for any input. I do know I need to spend some quality time with the program and the instructions.

it is very flexible, but the more complicated patterns may be tricky. that's why a thread like this is a good idea. yes, if you have pieces, you can design that specific size. no, they don't need to be the same size, the squares can vary to anything you desire.

Cheshirepat, there is an easy to follow, step by step lesson in the on board lessons that tells you how to make a custom quilt(much easier in 8 than 7). You can design the blocks in any size combination you want. I have made quilts from designs I created this way. it is was really helpful.
I think you can also photograph your fabric and use it in your block design but I haven't gotten around to trying that yet.
Murphy224, there was a bit of discussion on this when they first offered the upgrade. I found it much easier to find things but not everyone did. Most things are easier to find instead of buried in menus and functions that are down a level are under more obvious spots. I haven't even got through the lessons yet and have found pretty well everything I have thought I wanted to use. If you go to EQ ,product support, EQ8 and look up videos, there are some basic intros to some features. You could see what the new version looks like and if it seems helpful to you.

Thank you QuiltnNan and coffeecozy! So, I happened across an email this morning from Massdrop and guess what product they have a drop for? Yes! EQ8! And the price was $179! I guess it sent me over the commitment edge...heh. Not affiliated, but I've gotten a few decent things via that website/program.
I'm going to have to replace my ancient PC so, this lower price is just really helpful right now. I'll jump over to take a look at the board lessons, thanks so much!

Cheshirepat if you subscribe to the EQ newsletter you will also get a new lesson every month. They are very helpful. There is also a download for a free set of new fabrics to add to your software.

Coffeecozy: Thanks for the links. I must have been dozing when those discussions were happening. I think for now I will stick with EQ7 and try again to learn it. I also was dozing when EQ8 was released, missed that too. It will cost me 99 dollars to upgrade and I just can't justify that expense right now. Maybe if I get a good handle on 7 then will look into it. Will continue to follow this thread.
Murphy

I have EQ 6. Never upgraded to 7, because it didn't seem to offer very much in the way of new features I would use. I wonder now if 8 would be a good step up for me. Usability isn't an issue for me with EQ6 (ie EQ8 is going to frustrate me somewhat simply because it changes the way things I already understand work - but I can live with that if I get a bonus from it). I am out of installs for EQ6, so likely have to upgrade before I update my computer again anyway.

So, questions. This is what I find difficult/impossible in EQ6 -can I do it in EQ8?

1. designing an "alternate gridwork" quilt - where the blocks don't necessarily fall into rows or columns.
2. "one block" quilts - like hexagons and diamonds in particular. EQ6 doesn't let me rotate my diamonds freely - so I could not figure out how to design a baby block quilt, without using triangles and colouring my diamonds in 2 parts
3. a pieced lemoyne (8-pointed) star. EQ6 seems to force me to be in the template mode, rather than easydraw to work with a star grid in my block design.

Okay, I have a question about borders in EQ7. I am putting this chain link quilt into my EQ7 (the one hanging in the background):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msotUmzL-90

I had no trouble creating the blocks and layout. I added 3 borders. What I haven't figured out is how to add the square blocks in the middle border.

On a different note, I'm pretty sure there is a "randomize" option somewhere that will color all the pieces in the quilt scrappy. Or am I imagining this?

I would love to know if we have this!

I did find a "randomize" button for both EQ7 and EQ8, but it doesn't work the way I thought it would. Here is a link that describes it: http://doyoueq.com/blog/2015/03/tool...-recolor-tool/

And apparently there is no way to generate a scrappy look, at least as of 2014:
http://doyoueq.com/forum/viewtopic.p...t=scappy#p7806
I don't understand why this would be so difficult. The program could assign numbers to a set of fabrics or colors, then use a random number generator to distribute them through the quilt. Undoubtedly, this is harder to do than I am imagining.....

I think I did figure out how to add blocks to the middle border of my quilt above. The chain link blocks are 7x7. I will just make a block that is 7x1, color alternate squares in it, and then set it into the middle border. Maybe tonight.....

Edit: Nope. Just tried the 7x1 idea. Looks like I will have to make a block that is 1 x (7 x # of blocks in quilt) to fill in the entire border. Guess that wouldn't be too hard to do.....

Why would you not just make the center border "blocks" (that's an option in EQ6, anyway). You set the width of the border you want, and the number of squares. Then colour each one in the alternating colourway.

Prism99, would the tile square option work for what you are doing?

Are you in EQ7 or EQ8? I think I understand what you are looking for - hopefully this is it!

In both, on the Border tab, there is an option for "Spaced Squares" With some quick calculations you can determine how many squares you need. In 7, the option is a drop down on the right while in 8, it is on the top tab

Eparys, thanks!!! Spaced squares worked and was a lot less work than my idea. I tried blocks and tiled squares, but couldn't get them to work quite right. Tiles added a spacer border to make it fit. Blocks I have to fool around with more to figure out what exactly it is doing. Spaced squares worked right away.

I thought I had tried all the options, but I did not realize there were additional options with some of them. Another hurdle behind me!

:)

:thumbup: EQ I know - lol! Glad I could help. There are still lots of specialized things I am not great at but the usual blocks, borders and such I use all the time. Love the quilt you gave the link to - can not wait to see it worked up!

just about everything is different in EQ8. i wouldn't say it's not good. i will only say i don't particularly enjoy it compared to 6 or 7.
i still have 7 installed as well because EQStitch does not work with EQ 8. Really? :thumbdown: [mumble, mumble, words not fit for polite company.]

if you are out of installs for EQ6, call EQ tech support. they can help with that and almost certainly will.

I too still have 7 installed as I am not totally sold on 8 yet. EQ8 is just too awkward on some screens to use smoothly. But I can not believe that Stitch is not compatible! What were they thinking??

I have EQ 7. I have a call for Farmers Wife Quilt that is supposed to be compatible with 5 and 6. Is there any way to get it to work in EQ7?

nursie, I think this is the information you need:
https://support.electricquilt.com/ar...eq7-pc-or-mac/

Wow! Thanks so much!! I thought I might have lost the opportunity to pick up with this quilt again.

Thank you, Prism99, for this great thread! I just bought EQ8 and have played around with it a bit, but I need some lessons! I've watched the overview from OnPointQuilter, but I'm wondering if the book "EQ8 Lessons for Beginners" might be sufficient (it's less expensive)? Have you seen the book and would you recommend it?

Marilynnc - I myself have not seen that book in person so I can not say. Have you looked at the EQ videos and lessons on line at EQ (links are under Help on the top of the EQ screen)? There is also a blog - DoYouEQ - and they have some lessons as well

http://doyoueq.com/eq-lessons/eq8-lessons/

It is a worth while blog to follow - lots of lessons and tips. And ... don't forget to download the Monthly Fabric at

http://doyoueq.com/project_download_...ric-downloads/

There are direction as to how to do that at the top of the page.

I have had EQ7 for several years and have considerable success with designing my quilts...but right now I have "lost" my fabric palette on the quilt worktable. I can get the sketchbook blocks box to show up to select a new block, but cannot get the fabric box. I've searched through the help, but no answer. Can anyone help me? TIA

And yes I am on Layer 1

oksewglad - From your description, did you loose the paintbrush on the right toolbar? If so the last button under the eyedropper on the right toolbar is "Customize Toolbar" which gives you the option to "add/remove buttons" (so you can add the paintbrush back in) or "restore defaults for all toolbars".

[ATTACH=CONFIG]591639[/ATTACH]

eparys...thanks, I do have the paintbrush and can paint the first fabric on the palette...a yellow daisy for me...the box with the fabric choices does not show up. I have Restored Defaults for All Toolbars as well. The paintbrush has not been removed from the tool bar either. I may have to check on EQ website..

One of the reasons I stuck with EQ7 was that, when EQ8 came out, all the EQ7 books went on sale. So far the books have not been of much help to me. This is because I find it very difficult to learn from printed, step-by-step directions. Video has been much easier for me in terms of learning EQ7.

What do you mean by the overview of EQ8?

Are you at a point where you can create a quilt in EQ8? If not, then the video lessons called "Shoot for the Stars" is the equivalent of the EQ7 videos from Kari Schell that got me started. The EQ8 set is on sale now for $25. If you are unsure, try signing up for the equivalent EQ7 series "Catch the Waves" that is free. Some things will be different, but it will give you some idea of the basics such as how to draw a basic pieced block, how to create a quilt using that block, how to color the block, how to save a quilt to the sketchbook, etc.

If you are at a point where you can do the basics, I suggest watching as many free video tutorials on EQ8 as you can. There are some on Youtube. Also, I don't know if you realized it, but the OnPointQuilter also has some short tutorials on her blog that you can access here: https://www.onpointquilter.com/apps/search?q=eq8&page=2 . If you scroll towards the bottom and click on the links, some of them will be ads for her classes, but others will be short tutorials on how to do specific things.

I am biased because I seem unable to learn from step-by-step printed instructions. For me, the reference manual for EQ8 would probably be more useful because then I could look up the specific questions I have about how to do specific things.

I restored my default settings and voila...the fabric box is back!

Marlilnnc have you clicked the learn button on Eq8 home page? There are videos and lessons to get you going. I have the lesson book and it looks quite useful but I haven't had a chance to do more than a couple of lessons yet.

Excellent! glad that worked - my next suggestion would have been uninstall and then reinstall - but this was an easier option.

I struggled with EQ7. I printed off the onboard tutorials and some off of the EQ site and found it just put me to sleep :shock: and I just wasn't getting anywhere close to designing a quilt beyond being prompted within the lessons. I upgraded anyway to EQ8 when it was discounted and subsequently caught an opportunity to pick up the "EQ8 Lessons for Beginners" on sale from an online vendor. I started working through it last week and about 2/3 of the way thru. I have successfully scanned my own fabric in and scaled it, used it in a custom layout quilt I'm currently attempting to design, designed my own simple blocks with arcs and used them in my quilt design. I am by no means proficient and I still need to go back and forth to that book to remind myself where to find things, but I am so far ahead of where I had gotten in EQ7, which was essentially nowhere! I personally find EQ8 easier to use and this book is very well written IMHO. Great visuals, enough information to get you going, but not too much at once to be overwhelming and the layout is set up so it's a great reference tool for sourcing the basics. For me, it was money well spent!

Apart from the book...I had a question come to mind while I was scanning fabric, as my fabric is a large scale focal fabric I wanted to treat as a panel. I clicked on the help and opted for the online support community I believe and asked my question. And eureka! There were several answers to that question right there that solved my question. I am now optimistic that I will be able to finish designing my next quilt, and with my own fabrics, to scale and get calculated fabric requirements. Fingers crossed!

OK, I have graduated to Lesson 1 in the book "Pieced Drawing" for EQ7. Got through most of the lesson but am stuck at step 15 where I am supposed to select the block I have just created it and clone it. Directions have me click on the pick tool, "point the cursor at an area just above the left corner of the block", click and drag. I have done this more than once, and the most I can get it to do is select the upper lefthand piece of the block. It wants me to select the whole block.

I Googled and found I could do "Edit", "Select All" to select the entire block. Worked great. I was able to select the whole block, rotate it, and plunk a copy into the right side of the block. The next time I tried that, it selected the entire upper half of the block (both pieces I had already done).

Anyway, I guess my question is, how the heck do I use the pick tool to select the portion I need? It......just.....won't.....do......it. This is why I get so frustrated with the printed lessons. If I could find a video that showed how to do this, I could easily see what it is I am doing wrong. Already watched one video that showed lots of other things about PatchDraw, but not how to do this selection with the pick tool.

Can someone enlighten me?

OK Prisn99 I think I have a answer for you. Firstly you do not have to do the edit/select all thing - the "tool" that we use for zoom will "select" if the pick tool is activated. So all you do is drag that square around all your block and it will select everything inside it. Then, once you clone the block a little arrow set appear int the center of the new block and if you place your cursor over it and left click you can drag the entire thing.[ATTACH=CONFIG]591828[/ATTACH]

I have a quilt that has been sitting for ages waiting for the perfect border. Yesterday I saw Sef0181's triangle question and her border looked like it might work on my quilt. https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...e-t295775.html
I can't seem to get a like border pattern in my Eq to test it with my pattern. A single diamond border doesn't give me the 2 diamonds and a double gives me too many. Is there a way to put angle rectangle blocks in the border?

Cute border idea - I played around with that thought and agree with you that a standard built in border will not work. While I am sure that there might be a more elegant solution, not knowing what your block looks like - this is what I did ...

Create a block in Parch Draw (polydraw in eq8) and make it long - like 8x20 6x12 or what ever works (you may have to do it a few time to get a measurement that looks good). Draw your block as a square block using those tools then select all and rotate (you could also draw it at and angle and not have to rotate it). You can then clone it and drag it to where you want it. Then go to Borders and choose a border style with blocks and place in your block that you just created with PolyDraw ... something like this ( put in two blocks to see what it would look like) ....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]591836[/ATTACH]

Was this the type of effect that you wanted? Maybe someone will have a better solution, but this will at least let you see what it might look like.

eparys, you are a genius! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was dragging diagonally. As soon as I did what you described, it worked perfectly.

eparys, great solution! Thank you.