Anybody used EQ6 software?

[lazydaisy79]

Hi, this is my first post and I'd like some advice please. I'm a relatively new quilter although I've sewn all my life and I live in Hampshire in England, UK. I am thinking of having EQ6 as a Christmas present but wondered if it was a good idea. All the descriptions of what it can do sound excellent but does it do what it says and is it relatively user friendly? I think it would be a great design aid and I need all the help I can get!
All comments for or against much appreciated.

[lazydaisy79]

I use my EQ6 a lot to design quilts, set up BOM challenges for the guild. keep track of various projects. The things it can do is endless.

I also like using EQ to test my designs so that I do not spend a lot of time and energy on a quilt I will dislike in the end... for me it saves me money.


I am self taught in using it but it was not hard if you are persistent. I think you will enjoy the program.

[lazydaisy79]

Dear Ladyrags

Thank you very much for your information which is most encouraging. I agree that to be able to see that a quilt will work before putting in all the hours, not to mention wasting fabric, is a great benefit. Also, for me, as a drawing aid, it should be most useful. My husband suggested this as a present, but having something I don't use is a disappointment for both of us. I can now tell him to go ahead!

Thanks again.

[lazydaisy79]

EQ6 will be a wonderful addition to your quilting program. You must, however, be willing to invest a little time to learn to use the program. It's very user friendly and there's lots of help both in the program and online. It comes with a great user's manual, which you should take the time to read. There are lots of levels, so once you get the basics down you can start using it. Then, you can begin adding levels of sophistication in terms of borders, labels etc., etc.

It's really fun playing with ideas BEFORE you invest in fabric and time.

Have fun!!

[Margo]

I absolutely agree with Louise. It's a great program, but you will enjoy it more if you take the time to learn it. There are lots of video tutorials imbeded in the program that are just a click away. Be sure to check them all out, and go through the User's Manual!
Merry Christmas!!! :lol:

[dianaupp]

I love EQ6 for all the reasons that everyone already mentioned. To be successful you must like to work on the computer. If it is a chore, it is not for you. Second, the tutorials are a great start as is going through the workbook. But very few people actually do that. I highly recommend enrolling in an online class through http://www.quiltuniversity.com. Start with the basic class and grow from there. Also, if you will only design 1 quilt each year it will be difficult. Just like using Excel once a year. Painful. I use it anytime I have an idea for a quilt or a block. This keeps me in practice and gives me a good starting point to future quilts. I also design for other people just because I like to.

Remember to download the fabric library that posted each month on the EQ site. You can pick up the last several years of librarys. This gives you lots of fabric options very easily.

Diana

[Lorchen]

If you have any questions about that software, the expert in the UK seems to be 'Rio Designs' (http://www.riodesigns.co.uk). They also know who in the UK is running classes and/or workshops about EQ software.

Lorchen

[Lorchen]

Hi Lazydaisy, I tried replying to you last night but because of the storm couldn't get on line very well. The down side of satellite is it doesn't like rain!

Was going to say that as you're only in Romsey, you could come and look at mine if you wanted before you buy. I'm not great on it myself, as the ladies have said you need to put in the learning time and time is one thing I've been short of lately!! I'm just out of Ringwood.

Anyway, hope the storm has left you intact, we have a few very large branches down but they missed the cars!! And don't forget to join in on the UK part of the forum.

Amo

[Lorchen]

I use EQ6 all the time - its a great way to try out designs. My only complaint is that the fabrics don't really show their designs once you have them in the quilt format. All you really see is the value-but that can be really helpful. Jan

[Lorchen]

I agree with everybody that EQ6 is great, but you do have to use it! I had mine for over 2 years before I finally went through the lessons in the book! Now I'm loving it!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[lazydaisy79]

Thank you so much to all the ladies who replied to my post. The message coming through loud and clear is that if I have the software I need to work at it and not expect to be an expert overnight. I'm quite persistent so, hopefully, I'll get to grips with it in the end, but the advice regarding tutorials and help is most useful.

Thanks to Amoret for the offer of a look at the software. I think the overall consensus is that it's a good thing to have, so I'll go ahead anyway, I think. I'm glad the storm left you unscathed, as it did us, but there's more to come tonight. Good luck!

[Franceslovesfabric]

If you have a scanner, you can scan your fabric and import it into EQ6 and see what it looks like with the fabric that you want to use. I do that all the time.
Frances

[Franceslovesfabric]

I did all the tutorials that come with the program but still learned alot when I took classes. It was great to share with the other students and have the teacher right there for questions. She had us to stuff the tutorials didn't. Of course, you need to be able to take your computer; my DH let me take his laptop. nancy in NY

[lazydaisy79]

Thank you NancyAnne for your advice. Sorry it took so long to reply but we've been away visiting. I shall investigate classes after Christmas or possibly after I've worked through the startup lessons and see what is working and what is not. I know I shall enjoy finding out what EQ6 can do.

[Mailmanldy]

If you are interested in classes, there are some online classes at quiltuniveristy.com. They have beginning classes, as well as advanced. There is an EQ6 Sampler class that starts January 12, that will take you through the basics of the program.
I have taken a few classes on QuiltUniversity, and have not been disappointed in any of them.

Diane in Colorado Springs