Mailmanldy

If you don't know EQ6 then EQ7 would probably be just as hard for you to learn. They do have some great tutorials within the program, but you don't get a chance to ask questions. When I first got EQ I took some of the classes at http://www.quiltuniversity.com/ They were great... you could ask questions if you didn't understand something, but the teacher was very good a explaining how to use the program. And there are different levels, so as you get better you can take more advanced classes.

MistyMarie

I started out with EQ5, then EQ6, then EQ7. I occasionally will draw out a design on paper (when I am "killing" time somewhere) but then it ends up in EQ. I haven't made a quilt in years that was not drafted out first in EQ. I have found the program easy to use and when I need to figure something out, I open the book or look at the tutorial. (I have a degree in technology, so being able to integrate my comuter knowledge with my hobby has been so much fun. I find I spend as much time on my computer designing as I do actually making quilts.)

BRenea

I use EQ7 (love it!) for most of my designing these days. I've been an EQ user for a long time, each version gets better and has more capabilities than I will probably ever use. I do still sketch out some of my designs on paper, especially if I'm having a hard time visualizing how to draw something in EQ... but I love the fact that I can "see" my quilt before I start by using quilting software.

bonniebusybee

I bought Quilt-Pro Version 2 for Macintosh several years ago. Had a lot of fun with it, but haven't used it lately. It was wonderful for printing patterns complete with 1/4" seam allowance, adjusting sizes, sashings and borders, etc. I'm sure it's been updated if it's still around.

wildyard

I'm still new at quilting so I do my designing either on the cutting table or on graph paper with colored pencils. There is a lot of trial and error involved, believe me. LOL
I don't know the math rules for quilts, except the basic seam allowance ones. With my fibromyalgia, I need to get them in nice clear format and print them up so I can easily refer to them. On foggy days, I can't remember the rules about much of anything. LOL

cjr

Yes. YES! YES! The only times in 1 1/2 years I have used a pattern as per say was my initial quilt in class, and doing a buckeye patter, very similiar to round the world. It is a scrappy quilt with a definite color pattern, needs to be followed row by row. Everyone in my Scrappy group had problems with it including instructor. All turned out beautiful. Usually I do a take off of a specific idea and do my own thing. I enjoy it so much more. I know poeple who can not make as quilt with out a pattern, and they have been quilting much longer then me. The creating part is part of the fun. I guess I am gifted in the design part. I have been designing things all my life, also makes improvising easier.

greensleeves

I bought the first EQ at the Houston Quilt Show way back when and have kept it updated so now am using EQ7. I use it a lot but don't hesitate to rough-draft on plain or graph paper.

Patticake

I do both. I have EQ6 but sometimes I get frustrated and just draw it out on graph paper. I've only had the EQ for a year so I'm still learning. The graph paper I've been using for a Very Long Time. :lol:

glenda5253

I am amazed that so many of you design your own quilts. I thought unless you were a designer for fabric company everyone just used patterns they found. What exactly is EQ and how does it work? Do you start with a basic pattern like churn dash, nine patch, etc. and go from there? I know I am showing how green I am about quilting but hope you don't mind. :?: :?: :?:

leatheflea

Graph paper if I can find it. Cant afford a program. And they always end up altered in some way, so I keep a diary of them start to finish.