barnbum

I know EQ6 is way more involved, but is it too much? Is there tons of stuff on there I'd never use? I want to design my own quilts. I get the impression they continuously create new stuff to add to it and update it that cost more money. And I'm thinking I don't really need the actual fabrics on a quilt design--just the color.

Does anyone have both and can shed more light on this for me? When my birthday comes around I want to be ready with my decision. :wink:

Tiffany

I'll be eagerly watching this thread as I too would like to buy a design program and am uncertain which kind is most 'user friendly.'
~Tiffany

patricej

i don't think design wizard lets you draw your own blocks. i think you are limited to whatever is in the built-in library. also don't think it works with the accessory programs such as quilting motifs coming out from the quilters newsletter, some applique patterns, and others (would have to go through my collection to list them for you.)

imaquilter

Hey Patrice....

Aren't you very knowledgable about EQ? Was wondering if you might be willing to do an online EQ class sometime....

I have had it for years and don't use it to half of it's capabilities.

Anybody else out there need/want a lesson? Can we twist your arm Patrice? :lol:

Flying_V_Goddess

Don't quote me on this, but I almost positive Patrice is right about not being able to design your own blocks on Design Wizard. And I think you only get like 200 or so blocks in its library...seems like a lot, but it might be a lot of the same old blocks we've seen over and over. Not saying its a bad thing, but if you're looking for something where you can expand your creativity as much as possible and play around with a lot of things, I'd probably go with EQ6. And people say some very positive things about that program so it looks like it'd be worth the buy even if you don't use every little thing on it.

ShellyQ

Patrice is right Quilt design Wizard does not allow you to draw your own blocks, Here is a link to a little bit of information about it http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/QDW/QDW.asp I think it would be a great program if you wanted to try out if you're not sure what you're after and want to trial something as it has a much smaller price tag than EQ

I personally bought EQ5 mainly because I am so far away from customer support for these programs and EQ5 seemed like it would be easier to self maintain than EQ6 and it has similar features. Overall I am very pleased with it, you can design your own blocks, trial different layouts and colours all without having to use copious amounts of time and colouring little bits of paper. It works with Microsoft Word and Publisher in that I can export a snapshot of a quilt or block into these programs allowing me to send an email of said item to a friend even if they don't have EQ.

It will give you a rotary cutting list for a selected block, thereby eliminating the math, all of which I used to do by hand. Mind you I'm not sure eliminating the math is good for me, makes me even lazier :lol: It will pintout foundation patts for a suitable block, tho sometimes I can't get it to print what I want cause I use partial peicing so I can foundation piece some blocks you wouldn't normally do that way and EQ just does not understand this :lol:

My main gripe with it is that it doesn't have an isometric grid for working on 60 degree based designs. You can force it to do some but it takes alot of math and fiddleing around. It does have a 60 degree triangular grid under one patch designs but you can't use that to design blocks with. I tried to force it but it was having none of that :lol: Mind you as far as I can tell none of the quilt design programs do either. I think I will have to go to a CAD program for the isometric grid I want. Any suggestions on that would be great.

ShellyQ

Oh by the way I ment to mention EQ needen't cost you any more money than your inital outlay if you didn't want it to. If you own and register the program you download a new set of fabrics every month from their website for free and although you can buy add on block sets for it, you needn't if you design your own. Now I've written a book lol, but I hope it helps some :-)

patricej

i'm flattered by your confidence in me, but i've had it for a year and have barely scratched the surface myself. also ... as much as i love you guys ... prep for a class like that would take weeks and i'm still overwhelmed by all i have piled around waiting to be worked on. (i'm resisting the urge to count my UFOs. it's alarming! :lol: )

i'll keep it in mind, though, in case i ever get close enough to caught up. :?

fabricluvr

i have QDW and one thing i know it CAN'T do is let you import your own fabrics. i wanted to see some fabrics i purchased in a design and you can't do it. i read it somewhere on the EQ site, which finally put an end to my frustration of trying to figure out how to import the graphics. :(

and no, you can't design your own blocks. there are lots and lots of those out there with their projects that are published monthly, but you have to open the project and save what you like (fabric/blocks) to your favorites. i just started doing that the other day.

also, it's limited on size of quilts, but i read where you can customize your own sizes in, but i haven't figured out how yet (placemats, for example).

if i ever get more serious about this (designing), i'll get the EQ software. but for now my $15 QDW is good enough for me.

barnbum

You're right Flying V! The EQ6 had over 4000 blocks! :shock: So if I want to use already created stuff that's a better bet. I have books of 100s of blocks already.

I wonder if I get this CD if it'll take my quilting time! :?

But it'd sure be fun!! :D