NJ Quilter

I know most folks are up to v. 7, but I'm still using my v 5. I just don't use it enough to justify the $$ for the latest version and this is probably part and parcel to the reason for my post.

I saw a quilt in my LQS last year or so. It's a Michael Miller clubhouse pattern. Could not buy the pattern only and have had no luck finding one for sale from anyone else. So....I can make this up in EQ - right? Cuz I really like the pattern but the colorway just will not work in my house with 2 large brown dogs and a husband. I printed out a picture of the quilt and am trying - and not overly successfully - to draw it in EQ.

My questions: 1) can you have different size blocks within the same quilt in EQ? Just looking at the picture, it appears there are different sizes - maybe 6" and 9" blocks within the same row to give more of a 'floating' appearance? 2) is there a way to have borders within the quilt between rows? Or does this go back to Q 1 - different size blocks within the quilt? and last but not least 3) is there a reason this version (or is it me) only seems to save the colorways in the sketchbook when you exit the program? I'll draw a block, use different colors and go to the sketchbook and only the outline of the block is there. If I close down and re-open EQ - the various colorations are there.

Any help anyone might be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. If it's too much info for the forum, please feel free to pm me. And THANK YOU all!

QuiltnNan

1... yes you can have different sized blocks. on the top menu, choose help and search. look up Custom Set
2... sort of. design the center. choose a border. then add a second border. under border style, choose Blocks then add another border.
3... when you draw the block and color it, be sure to save the colorways in the sketchbook. after designing the quilt, be sure to save the quilt.

i use eq5 a lot and don't see the need to upgrade. however, i've never actually made a custom set design, just played with it a smidge... that's why i referred you to the Help section

alikigirl

I know the answer to this one, as I have had the same problem and just figured it out. Once you have drawn a block and added color to it, save it in the sketchbook. Now view the sketchbook and click the blocks tab. You will probably see your block with no color. click on this block, then click the right pointing arrow at the bottom of the sketchbook box. This will go thru all your color combinations.

As for your other questions, I have been trying to figure this out too, so I will be watching this thread. I was recently told by someone at a quilt show the EQ7 is totally different from EQ5, so since I have just gotten back into using EQ5, I have decided not to upgrade to EQ7.

Geri B

I also have 5 and have no intention of upgrading...I don't use it that much to justify the cost of upgrade. I am glad there are others who are still using the older version.

NJ Quilter

Thank you all for the quick replies. I'll be printing this out momentarily and then jumping back into EQ. Have really been struggling with this quilt for a while so this will be very, very helpful!

thimblebug6000

Don't forget that Rhonda did a series on EQ tutorials, they were great! I worked through them... but..... that's as far as I got, oops!

thimblebug6000

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...a-t195158.html

NJ Quilter

Thanks for this link. I knew this was out there but really didn't think about it! I have to do some more sleuthing here in the house. In the box that I have for my EQ I don't have the 'design cookbook'. Not sure if it may be stashed in a tote in the attic or what. It's so much easier for me to have hardcopy to refer to as I'm working on something. I know I can have the help screen up while I'm working as well but after a bit this AM my brain was in pain from working that way! And, of course I started from the outside in instead of the other way round when I started this project in eq. Hopefully I can just modify some stuff as I go along vs having to start from scratch. I get antsy while working on this as there's no TV in the office where the computer eq is loaded is located. I need some noise while working this intently and the radio is just not enough of a distraction as odd as that sounds. I'll get there. Just might take a really long time!