Go! or EQ7?
 

Okay, it appears that a new (or good, used) sewing machine would shatter my birthday gift (from DH to me-- it's today!) budget of roughly $200. So, changing gears, I would love either an Accuquilt Go! Or EQ7.

I loved the EQ software I had ages ago (3, I think) and love designing- the ability to print my hand appliqué patterns directly onto freezer paper would be a huge relief. I could even use the software to do some serious designing and teaching-- it could, in theory at least, pay for itself somewhere down the line.

BUT-- EQ actually accomplishes no actual quilt making-- which the Go! Would go a long way toward doing. I have back and knee problems and often get bogged down in the quilt cutting and don't have the stamina to actually sit and put my cut pieces together. The Go! Could also, in theory, pay for itself as I could cut charm squares and strips of some of my hundreds of yards of fabric I will never wind up using and trade or sell them.

So, if you had your choice, which of these would you get? Or, do you know of something fabulous in the $200 range that you think I might have overlooked? Do you know anyplace for a super discount on either of these items (I have found the Go! For $199 and EQ7 for $175) that might give DH enough leftover change to take me to dinner too? LOL!

Thanks for reading this, and TIA for helping me spend DH's money!

With only $200, that wouldn't leave any money for dies if you go for the Go! The cutter is only as useful as the dies you get for it. However, if you have a little more $$$ for dies, the Accuquilt is my vote. But then again, I haven't tried EQ yet. Happy Birthday, and enjoy whichever you choose.

I too had the same problems that you did. By the time I cut out my fabric I couldn't sew or anything because I was tired and hurting too bad. I bought the studio, but the go is good too. It saved my hands where I can still have time to sew and enjoy it. I would go for the Go, but that is me.lol

boy, that's a tough decision. Feathers has a good point about needing the extra $$ for dies. but having an easy cutting tool would be marvelous. i have EQ and can't imagine doing without it. it allows me to design all my own quilts... so i don't have to buy any patterns. and it saves on graph paper and colored pencils :)
and happy birthday!

Don't have either but will follow this post with interest. Happy Birthday JamieQ.
Annie

I don't know what to tell you either. I have both but I bought EQ before the GO so maybe that shows my choice!

Enjoy your own decision. My choice is always Quilt Pro, as I feel that the basic software design of EQ is very defective. (I used to review software and yes, I have used the latest EQ). I feel that I am unlikely to buy GO because my June Taylor ShapeCut gives me rather accurate cuts. These are highly individual decisions. trust yourself.

Hi Jamie,

Firstly... Happy Birthday.

Now as for the Go! or EQ7 - I have both - I use both. But on Sunday I was doing some sewing - my project is small squares in strips. Having sewn the strips together I had to cut 168 1.5" strips from the longer strips. If I had to do that by hand it would have taken absolutely ages.. lining-up - cutting - squaring up to make sure things are straight. But I got my Go! out... lined them up... doubled them over and in approximately 10 - 15 minutes there they were all 168 of them! I have even worked out how to cut with the minimum anount of waste and they are all lining up great for sewing!

Hope this helps and have a great birthday!

Hugs

Caroline

P.S. My Go! was a birthday present too!

I'd go for the GO and it would make your quilting more enjoyable. Then I start a savings jar and when Elenor Burns has her sale for EQ7 for 139 (several times a yr) you'll be ready and have both of them. Or at least when the next holiday comes up and the budget is tight you can offer up your change jar to help pay for it and if its not needed get some more dies for the GO. I have the Go and it's great.

I love my EQ, and I don't have the GO. I don't usually have a problem cutting, so I've (so far) avoided that expense. I guess the decision has to be yours, based on your own needs and experience.