I know this weekend is the deadline to upgrade to EQ7 for a great price.
But my problem is I never used EQ6 after I bought it....it was just too complicated for me.
I just can't decide if I should upgrade something I still might not be able to grasp.
Is there anyone else on the fence like me?

I am so on the fence with you. I feel like such a dummy-I've tried EQ6 since Christmas and still can't "get it". I do better with graph paper and a pencil. I'm up to Lesson 3 in the book and have to keep going back over it.
Well, after reading what I just typed, I think I talked myself out of the upgrade. Maybe. Now I feel dumber cause I can't make a decision LOL!!

Have you guys done the lessons in the book or just tried it on your own? I got soooo discouraged at myself when I just started playing with it without doing the lessons. Finally decided, OK if I want to use this, bite the bullet and do the lessons. They have been soooo useful. Then I re-watched some of the videos and its really all coming together. Also, if you have anything that you can't figure out, you can call EQ and they'll assist you.

I went and pre-ordered EQ7. Some of what the new enhancements are were too much for me to pass up!!! Its suppose to be easier than EQ6, as was EQ6 is easier than EQ5.

Have I made you more confused!!! :? Sorry! :-D :-D

Yeah I tried the lessons and watched the videos. I guess my real problem isn't EQ6 but my short term memory.... :?
I had to keep going back again and again to the "how to's" unless I wrote it down or had the book next to me.
I see a lady on one of the quilt shows and she justs whips through it. Go here, click that, move over, choose this one...ta da! I want to be like her and I just can't seem to get there. (I know she's uses it every day and I don't etc..)
I guess I'm discouraged because I'm usually a "quicker picker upper" on things like this.
I'll probably cave and buy the upgrade.
But maybe not.....I hate being indecisive....or do I? ;-)

I agree with all of you...I also purchased EQ5 updated to EQ6 and tried a few lessons and thought it was just as confusing as EQ5, therefore, I don't believe I will update any more. At this time in my life I don't need any more frustration.

I may be sorry, but I'm starting to stop & think "do I really need it?" before I jump & do something I will regret.

If you don't use 6, it doesn't make sense to buy 7.

it would, however, make sense to offer the 6 for sale this weekend. price is so that a person can buy your unused 6 and then pre-order the upgrade for a total cost that's less than the non-upgrade cost of 7.

you will recover some of the cost of a product you don't use. somebody else will save money on their purchase.

that's a win/win. :-)

Even though I have had EQ since the beginning, early 90s. I do the lessons each time and watch the videos.

EQ has saved me money many times over the cost of the program. Once you know the program there isn't any pattern you cannot replicate in any size. The basic steps are very easy to learn. I started with step 1.

For me, any software is a problem unless I use it on a regular basis. Then I can remember what I need to remember. I can't seem to find a need to use my EQ5; therefore, I can't remember any of what I semi-learned when I first got it and did some lessons. I chalk it up to lack of interest rather than poor memory. I have other software that I use frequently and am comfortable with.

The best feature about EQ6 (and I am sure EQ7) is that I am able to try out colors before I ever cut a piece of fabric. I love being able to visualize what my quilt will look like with the colors I want before I cut fabric. I also like that I can customize what size the blocks are, what size to make the quilt, and how borders will look. There are a few limitations to the program, but I have found it WELL worth the effort to learn. (I have never done a tutorial or read a book... just figured it out on my own.) I love getting to design my own quilts because I feel like they are mine from design, to sewing, to the finished quilting and binding. I trully feel like a finished quilt is MY creation.

I did read the books. There are many shortcuts listed in the lessons that I wouldn't have known about on my own. I learned a lot watching the EQ How To videos on QNNTV too. If I read something I remember it pretty much forever so that helps too.

I bought EQ6 and then thought what the hell did I do that for. But having paid good money I bought EQ6 Simplified by Fran Iverson Gonzalez and worked through, start to finish. Now happy using it (although I don't use it all the time) and have pre ordered EQ7 - hope I did the right thing!

Don't do it. If you didn't use the other, you won't use this one. Don't fall into the hype. Spend the money on something you know you will use.

I think each version has improved on the ease of use because of the comments by users. EQ7 looks much more user-friendly than EQ5 was. I found EQ6 easier than EQ5, even though I had used EQ5 for a few years before EQ6 came out. From the EQ website, EQ7 looks much easier to figure out than EQ6.

I think I'm not going to buy it yet.
I've decided to wait a couple months and read the reviews of people like me, those who've struggled with EQ6. Will they actually decide EQ7 is significantly easier and therefore use it more? If so, then maybe I'll buy it.
I'm disappointed by EQ's website. They have a link for EQ7 that says "watch a video" but when I click on it, it says "videos coming soon".
Well, a video might have helped me decide to buy it now!
Oh well.

I waited 6 months for the $ to buy EQ6, just before EQ7 was announced. NO I will not be getting EQ7, mostly because I do not have the $. I figure if I learn 6 and use it, I can update at a latter date.

Just my opinion, if you're not fond of EQ6, 7 may not be for you. I just purchased EQ 6 about 7 weeks ago and was so impressed with it that I did pre-order 7 upgrade but although I may not use it a lot, as I'm learning how to use it (just completed lesson 4 in the manual), I do know It'll come in handy a lot. I recommend you get comfortable with 6 first and if you can't or don't care for it, then you won't be wasting more money. I didn't learn about the upgrade until the day before my 6 was delivered and I was not happy as there was NOT a word about 7 on the website at that point. I would have waited but decided that since I like it, I know I'll want 7, so I put out the little bit more to get the upgrade. Actually when you realize the low cost of the upgrade, it is definitely worth getting BUT only if you will learn how to use it.

If you can't learn from the manual, you could try a class from quiltuniversity.com (inside of your EQ6 manual) I've heard the classes are wonderful and very worth the money. I've found the manual very easy to use but you do have to focus on what you're doing at the time and NO interruptions which is hard to accomplish for many of us

I too have short term memory issues and it definitely is frustrating. I'm using sticky pad notes and paper clips all over the manual and yes, you do need to keep the manual handy and you do need to use it periodically. Even if you don't need it at the moment, you do need to work in it to learn it and implant the termonology, tools, etc on your brain. On the coffee break part of the lessons, that's a good time to click on all of the different tools and explore. Repeat the steps of the lesson and do the things it asks several time - in short, you have to be willing to put in the time to explore and play. The lady who helped me our community's EQ User Group meeting was very impressed with 6 (she has 5) but was amazed at how willing and comfortable I am with clicking on this and that to see what will happen.(I only had it 2 weeks and completed lesson 1 at that time.) That's the only way I can learn and figure out what those tools will do, where and how they can be utilized. I've decided to put in a couple of hours weekly and so far, it's making a difference but it isn't easy getting 2 hours when my brain is willing to focus and learn. Short term memory issues is very frustrating but learning new things such as this program is one of the best things we can do for our brain function and memory issues.

Yes I agree. You must have missed my earlier post where I said I've decided not to buy the upgrade at this time. I'll wait a while and find out how people like it.

After sending off my reply, you decision was in the next email I received. Such software truly isn't for everyone it seems.

I just don't have the "grey cells" needed anymore to learn it. Although I have "EQ envy" whenever I see someone on TV or YouTube whizzing through it and making a pattern so quickly.

I have eq5 never had the money to update to 6 and now def not for 7. I use the 5 all the time. good luck to all that can afford it.

Yes I am still trying to use EQ5

I would buy it and find an EQ hands-on class to take.

I got the EQ 6 when it came out (Valentine present from hubby) and loved it from the start, and I don't use it to Any of its potential.

I mainly use it to put in simple blocks and then it figures out the fabric I need. That is great for me - love this feature the best.

Then I also use it to see what colors look like. I've even scanned my fabric into the program (so you know that is easy if I do it) and then you really see what the finished item will look like.

It even prints out patterns (with numbers) for paper piecing, which is great.

I did do the pre-order to upgrade to EQ7. Can't wait to get it.

Just think maybe I will actually go thru the new manual and actually start using the program like it should be used. Even with the minimal way I use it, it is great to take a printed pattern with fabric required to the store.

Karen

I had just had EQ6 a few days when I got to attend the monthly EQ users group meeting. They were planning to work on designing tags for the back of quilts but of course since I had only accomplished lesson 1, I wasn't ready for anything like that at all. They discussed not doing the project since I couldn't participate and I insisted they go ahead and even though it was way over my head, I guaranteed that I would have it. I had half an hours time to waste before a hair appointment so my computer and I stayed at the rec center and I played with EQ 6 and by the time I left, I had accomplished the quilt tag that is attached. I printed it off on printer fabric this morning and have set the ink and it's now ready for me sew on the back of my husband's quilt. He was really excited when I showed it to him tonight. Tomorrow I'm taking it to show and tell at my 2nd EQ Users meeting as I want them to see what I had accomplished before I even left the building last meeting. To get it so I could show it here, I had to export and save it as a .jpg file. Actually I opened the file in paint shop pro X to print it as I'm not good with figuring out the sizing and placement in EQ to print it and sure don't want it printing out in the middle of the fabric. I printed it out on the bottom half so I have enough edge to fold all the way around and will hand stitch in place on the quilt. Just sharing. I'm really very impressed with EQ6.

the thing that helped me the most on working through the lessons was getting the book spiral bound so it would lie flat!!
I did order the upgrade and will have that spiral bound also. I do this to all books I need to work out of. It saves time and frustration.

What a good idea. Where did you go to have that done. This book does not like to lie flat and I have clips all over the place holding it open. Thank you for a great tip.

I had it done at an Office Max type place. It cost me about 5.00 for the manual and the simplified lesson book.

The one I have is EQ5. I did the lessons and keep the book handy for quick reference. If you don't use it very often it is easy to forget all of the great features. I also think that EQ7 has too many new enhancements to pass up.

If any of you decided to sell your EQ5 or 6 let me know, I would like to try it, but don't want to spend a bunch of money untill I know if I would even use it thanks

I pre ordered EQ7. I wanted EQ6 and never got it so I'm excited for EQ7. I will read and I know I will use it. I think it will help me to pick out fabric and how to use it.

I bought EQ5 and didn't really enjoy it because there were too many things that I couldn't do, but did upgrade to 6 and I loved it! Got word this morning that 7 is on it's way to my house-- can't wait!

In 1992 I started with Electric Quilt 4 (I think) and Blockbase. I have upgraded Electric Quilt each time one is offered and have a EQ7 ungrade on order.
I design all my quilts before I make them. The program is much more "user friendly" now. Initially I started reading instructions and got tired really quick. So I chose a quilt pattern in a book or magazine and reproduced it. It is like a computer game to me.
To start you study the pattern and decide...
How are the blocks set (horizontal or on point)?
How many blocks and what size?
Open Electric Quilt and type the name of the pattern (in the book or magazine) into the box below "Create a new project" and click on OK.
When the blank quilt comes up, if the layout is what you want, Click on Layout and choose the number of blocks across and down and the finished block size (and sashing width, if they apply). Play with borders trying to recreate the pattern you are learning on. I just learn from playing. If I have questions, I open the book. Good luck! Here is another Electric Quilt drawing of a quilt I have made.

I've already ordered it. I use EQ6 at least once a day. One of the benefits of 7 is that you can print off lessons for yourself to learn how to do the new things. I've also noticed that this version contains things that I have been doing on PaintShop Pro X2. Another way to learn the program is to go to Quilt University online, and they offer classes for beginning users. Hope this helps!

Something new I have done with EQ6 is scan my "actual" fabric for the quilt and then import the picture from MY PICTURES into "My Fabric" by opening as follows:
Click on:
Libraries
Fabric Libraries
Import Results
Import
From Image Files
(locate your scan/picture and double click on it)
Add to Sketchbook
Close.
When you click on the paintbrush (Sketchbook fabric and colors), it's the last fabric. Just paste it into your quilt.
The size of the scan of the fabric will appear on quilt in many pieces. Here is an Electric Quilt drawing with the hostas fabric inserted into the background.

Thank you for your tips! I've bookmarked them.
Maybe you should have your own EQ section here???
I'd be your first follower..

if you have eq6, even if you haven't used it, it's worth getting eq7 at the lower upgrade price right now just to have it for when you do decide to learn. Once it comes out and people start posting all the wonderful things they are making with it, I think you'll kick yourself for passing it up.

I am drooling just reading all of your comments. I will go play with my 5.lol

thanks Quiltbabble, I liked your input.