Quilt Program???
 

For Christmas Mom asked for a quilt program. She wants to be able to design quilts, try out different layouts, print out copies of her designs etc. She has not looked at which program she wants, she just asked for one. Any tips or suggestions? There are TONS out there and I do not know which ones are good and which are not. Also working on a budget. Thanks in advance.

Lynnanddbyz

I recommend EQ7.

Where is a good place to buy it from?

Many places offer the EQ7 product. I have heard Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day shop seems to have it on sale right now or at least $40 cheaper than I have seen it elsewhere. http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...ay.asp?i=28132

I would just google the product (EQ7 or Electric Quilt 7) and shop around on line for the best price.

I would also recommend EQ7. Take a minute to check out their blog. You'll find lots of info there and will give you an idea of how others use the program.

http://doyoueq.com/blog/

EQ7 is my recommendation too.

EQ7 has a steep learning curve. Some people take to it like a duck to water; others (we will not mention exactly who, and I am a former systems programmer) have difficulty catching on to it. However, EQ7 is probably the most widely used software and there are lots of online classes for it.

QuiltPro offers a few less options than EQ7, but it is said to be more user-intuitive (i.e., easier to learn). I have been tempted to try this one, but am afraid it will go unused along with EQ7.

There are much less expensive software programs on the market too. These do a lot less and are less flexible, but are a lot easier to learn. These would not do all that your mother is asking for, though. I think both EQ7 and QuiltPro would.

Before you buy, make sure your mom's computer has all the right "stuff" to support the system you choose. Each one will tell you on the outside of the box what kind of computer specs (? is that the right word?) you need for the program to run correctly and completely.

I totally agree with the steep learning curve! I purchased EQ 7 and just couldn't figure it out so I sold it. This past summer, a friend came to visit and he gave me his copy because it was too difficult for him too. I have played around with it again but I just haven't figured it out yet. There is hope though! I think that maybe the best route would be to get one of the other less advanced programs (and less costly) - Quilt Pro or Quilt Design Wizard and see if your mother even likes it.

Thank all of you for replying. I will check to make sure they will work with her computer. It is good to know also how user friendly they are. I do not know if mom would take the time to learn the program or just get frustrated that she can not figure it out.