Santa brought me EQ7, just as I requested. I've been messing with it for two days now, and I'm amazed at its capabilities. However, I'm starting to think this might fall into the "Be-careful-what-you-wish-for" category. Will I ever learn all of its capabilities? Will I ever be able to use it without having the open instruction book beside me? And I can certainly see how I might lose all perspective on how a quilt looks to the outside observer. After messing with something for a while, I can't tell any more whether I like it or not. Too many colors, patterns, borders, blocks, etc.? I can't tell after a while. I wonder if those of you with more experience might have some helpful hints or rules of thumb that guide you. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, and I can't even articulate a question.

I've used EQ since version and love it. However, 7 is overwhelming me. 5 was much more user friendly, but I'll learn. I'm looking for a quilt show near me where I can take a class in EQ7 to learn more about all the things it can do. I know from experience that you have to just get your feet wet and design and learn each time you use it. Congrads on getting the version. Add the accessories as you can. Learn to scan in your own fabrics and design with your own pictures. Have fun.

Congratulation, it is on my wish list. So I am not any help. :-(

The most important tip from me is to keep playing but stop every now and then and take a break! You are right about there being almost too many options available. One thing I like is that you can change the number of quilts displayed in the project sketchbook and the more you display, the smaller they are. This gives me a little better perspective when trying to decide if I actually like the design or not. Sort of like using one of the peephole viewers to look at a quilt.

I got EQ7 too. I have played with it a little and I love how you can see what the quilt will look like and how by just changing the colour of 1 border you get a totally different look.
But I think it will take me quite a while to learn all the different things you can do. I'm sure I will have fun learning though. lol

Good idea! See I knew you all would have lots of ideas.

Yes, I noticed that there is a once per month class right near me. We're taking off on our snowbird adventure in a week, so I can't do it until I get back. I'll have lots of fun playing in the meantime though.

I keep wanting to get my feet wet with landscape quilting using some of my pictures. I'm glad I haven't started anything yet, because this seems like a great way to get a project off the ground.

Congrads to you. I have been wanting this myself. Unfortunately, I can't afford it right now. One of these days, I will own one. When I can finally get it, it will probably be outdated. I have seen it at my local quilt shop and it looks amazing but complicated at the same time.

Congrats on getting it. I just had to uninstall mine and reinstall it.....
Working good again....

You'll just get the newest version--it won't be outdated.

I like to put the quilt up and then stand back a ways and look at it...
You are right... it is sooo easy to get lost in this program LOL So many options to play with.
You will get the hang of the program, the more you use it, and will find yourself reaching for the manual less and less :D:D:D

Have fun

I purchased EQ6 last summer, havent gotten farther than chaper 6 in the trainning book(not enough time in the day or night). It seems sorta easy, but Im getting it confused with my other design programs!! Love to scroll thru the blocks and pick out one and make it into something. Ive tried the drawing part but, all my blocks that I have made have been done already by someone else?? rats.....

tall2

I just 'googled' it. Looks amazing. Hope you enjoy it and your coming trip.
Annie

I bought 5 and never used it after it was installed. So when 7 came available at a good price and I thought it was suppose to be more user friendly I got it. I need a class. I don't want it to just be like my other software.

Have EQ5 installed and have never used it. I have looked at some of the patterns. I guess I figure with all the patterns out there, why do I need to design one?

What made you get EQ5? I wanted to make applique patterns. Yea right. Have not did one thing with it.

I got EQ5 as my friend gave it to me. I wouldn't have bought one as I said earlier I will just buy the pattern. I may learn to use it but haven't had enough time to mess with it. Maybe on the bottom of my to-do list.LOL

I agree with needing a class. There are so many new things to do with this program, that I would love to have a hands-on class. Its just too hard to juggle the book and do the things on the computer that I haven't even tried. Maybe in 2011 I can find a class near me.

I rarely design a pattern in EQ but I love it for figuring out where I want the colors to go. Also, I had some fabric and I was able to work up a quilt in EQ that needed the right amounts to use all of the fabric. I think I had a yard here, a yard and a half there, a half yard, etc. I was able to use all but maybe 1/4 yard. I did this by picking out the pattern I wanted and kept swapping the colors and checking the yardage until it matched what I had on hand.

I got it for Christmas too and having been having a lot of fun. Quilt University http://www.quiltuniversity.com/calendar.htm has some classes for EQ 7- the next one starts in Feb- thinking that might be a good winter project!

I guess I can go check that out. Would rather spend a day in a classroom, but this is the next best thing.

Oh Gale, Sure wish you lived closer. I am more of a hands on person and really could use some moral support. Beth

I have 4, 5, 7. I have used it now and then and really need to get serious. It has to be something that you enjoy. I remember looking at an old quilt and taking a pic and got into EQ and drew the pattern and made it....that was so neat.

There are some books with each EQ by Fran Gonzales. EQ Simplified. It's like being in class. The lesson are so easy. Just do one at a time, it's amazing. There are several books to teach you drawing etc and they are really simple to follow. I hate going to class so these books work for me.

There was a sale on last month, I think at half price and I picked up a couple more stand alone programs. Even tho I love the patterns and books, It's good to have the programs to do things I see, or to design...we have to have everything anyway, don't we?