I don't have any quilt software (yet) :cry: . I draw up my plans in PowerPoint and color the shapes with my fabric that I've uploaded photos of. They look better from the camera than when I scan them. It's not exact with colors, but does give me an idea of what I want. What it does lack is the ability to calculate yardage. I have to do that manually (using Excel or referring to a book I bought long ago called "Taking the math out of patchwork quilting").

All of the EQ programs cost more than I could afford to spend now. But I did check out that Quilt Wizard someone recommended. I am seriously considering trying that. I might also try out that Quilt Composer that was recommended. But usually, the software with free trials lack the ability to do exactly what I want.

I love love love my EQ5!! I like that I can make a block and then in the quilt I can turn the block and play with differant looks. I come up with new ideas just by turning the block!

It is easy to use and I don't use everthing available but it suits my needs very well!!

I can't recommend it highly enough!! It is worth the money unless you don't do a lot of drafting. It is so much better than pad and pens. Iused to do that too but not anymore!

I like to use it to record ideas of things I want to do as I see them somewhere I go onto EQ and draft that idea into a file for later.

I'm a drafter by trade (although I don't do that work any longer) but to be honest, my figuring out how much fabric is required usually gets used ONLY when I have a pattern in mind and the fabric already at the house. The "I wonder if this is enough" syndrome. My fabric shopping experience is usually - Oh heck give me 2 yards, no make that 3, oh just give me what's left on the bolt..... (in my dreams) ROFLOL

DH learned long time ago that purchase of fabric does not have to correlate to project in mind.

You can get as many downloads you need from EQ company after you use up the ones on the cd. There is a small charge I think less then $10 after you use up all on the cd. EQ is a major software program not a little applicaton or game so the company has to protect their license. It's no where near the cost of computer design programs that have the same capabilities.

I have EQ5, but to be honest I don't really like it.. probably because I never really learned to use it, and I've been quilting long enough that I just got used to drafting by hand.. I don't even use graph paper. I have a BIG sketch pad, and a variety of rulers, a compass, protractor, mechanical pencils and some string. I just mark a square the size I want my finished block and go from there...haven't had any problems to this point.

Butterfli19

http://quiltshops.com/calculator/calculator.htm

This is a fabric calculator using percentages -- not perfect, but very helpful.

Butterfli19

Go to http://search.quiltshops.com/calculator/calulator.htm

This is a fabric calculator using percentages 33% dark, 24% medium, 43% light. Put in the size of your block, and it will tell you approximately how much of each fabric you need.

I use graph paper and colored pencils. But this week that process is giving me fits because I want to try different colors in different positions.

Tippy, you're my kind of Gal. I don't know your age, but I came up the old way. You can't beat a pencil and paper. I like "doodling" on graph paper to see what I can come up with.

Only teasing you gals who use the computers so easily. More power to you. As my mom would say, "To each his own."

I can't get this to come up. It says is can't be found (or something :? ).