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.

I would choose the go, I have both the go and the studio the are wonderful.

I have neither the EQ nor the Go!, so don't know, but wanted to add my {{{Happy Birthday Hugs!}}} along with everyone else's.

I have both and I use both together. I have EQ do blocks in the size of my dies or to match the die shapes I have. Be sure the Go comes with a starter die and mat which will allow you to enjoy many designs until you can save for more dies. EQ7 is a great program so either one you pick you will be happy.

I think it depends on what stops you most from actually quilting. If cutting fabric is your main hurdle then I would go for the cutter. If trying to decide what colors look best in a top, or what arrangement of blocks look best, then I'd go for EQ. If both of these are bugbears for you, I'd flip a coin. I have both EQ and the full size Accuquilt and use both with some regularity. There is the issue of the extra cost for the dies and cutting mats as well. $200 doesn't buy you a whole lot with the accuquilt system.

Love my Go! I bought it gently used through a Yahoo group, Sewitsforsale. Another group I belong to, pinsandneedles1, has both the cutter and dies at a significant savings all of the time.

In addition to the Go!, you might consider the Go Baby! It's well within your budget ($90 through pinsandneedles1), leaving enough for several of the dies. Many of the dies fit the Baby, but not all. You need to look at which ones you would most likely use and see if the smaller machine might work for you, or if you are willing to join (free) and watch a selling list for a used one.

I would get the sizzix Big shot and a couple of basic dies and see how you like that!

OR the EQ because I do love it and I get a lot of quilts made by using EQ to figure out what I can make out of my stash!

for me it would be the go because for me it would get more use, however the dies are expensive so if you don't have the funds for dies it can become not very useful really fast. EQ7 for me wouldn't get use as I do not design my own quilts, I like patterns that I buy so you have to think what you would use most in the long run

I also agree with the sizzix big shot, much cheaper got mine for 60 bucks from joanns, I really like it, but can't compare it to the go since I don't have one

I bought the Go and love it… It came with about 7 basic dies. I love the time and energy it saves!!!

Another faster cutting option is the Altos cutting system. It cuts really accurately and makes squaring and lining up a breeze. Now my DH does most of my cutting so it's even easier! You need to view their website to see how it works. And no additional cost of buying dies.

I'd go for a GO!! as JoAnns has them onsale for cheap compared to what I paid for mine. The dies, well, Just look around and get the ones you think you might be needing. I use the 2 1/2 strip cutter, 5inch charm square and a few others...besides, this give hubby a thing to buy you for every event...a new die!
K

Happy Birthday and may you have many more.

I would go for the EQ.

I have enjoyed this discussion and may put put both on my wish list. My mother and I both quilt. She has severe arthritis and I seem to be following in her shoes..LOL. We both might benefit from one of the Aququilt products (Go maybe) She also designs her own quilts but I am not sure she is ready to learn another computer program. What frustrates me about the Go! is the need for dies... They are quite dear...

I am so glad that I asked here! Eleanor Burns' site sells EQ with an unadvertised $50 Internet rebate and I wouldn't have known to look there without y'all. I have found a site that sells the Go! With a basic set of dies for $199 but I also know a local shop that has the same deal once in a while and will allow me my 15% teacher discount even on Accuquilt products and sale items!

So basically, if I can be patient (not my strong suit!) I can get one from DH for a late birthday present and the other for myself once my late start class starts paying!


Yaaay! Thank you all for your help, insight, and birthday hugs & wishes!

I agree. I have had my Alto's QuiltCut2 for years ... enough to warrant getting a new mat! A one time purchase that I still use a lot.

I tried the Go but with my arthritis it was too hard to turn the crank. Using it would hurt too much and then add the cost of the dies???

I do have EQ6 and would love to get the newer one but at the time the upgrade was more than I was willing to spend. One of my best quilting buddies has EQ4 and is still loving it. She bought her EQ from a quilter that was getting a newer version of EQ

ali

I have both the Go and the EQ 7 I have never really learned how to use the EQ even though I bough 5, 6 & 7. I love the GO but you do have to buy the dies. I bought the strip ones first and have others now but the strip is what I use the most of.