REQ: Quilting Software ...

Hi Jim,

I suggest you download the demo versions and let her have a play. There are quite a few around. I tried 123-Quilt to begin with, which has the added advantage of being cheap. I now have EQ6 (there is an EQ7, now) which I like very much and keep promising myself that I will spend some time learning to use more efficiently.

Then there is Electric Quilt, which I know very little about, but is highly rated in some quarters.

I am sure there are others too. But it pays to muck about with a couple to see how they can be used and whether a pencil and a block of quilter's squared paper wouldn't do the trick better. I use that more than the software in the end. It's more immediate, somehow.

I'm afraid it's a bit of 'horses for courses', but it could be expensive to get the one that doesn't suit. Like sewing machines, a voucher would make the best present. Then she can go and choose exactly what she wants.

Good luck, Nel (Gadget Queen)

Nel ...

Thank you Nel, I will follow your lead. You have made my search task easy !

Enjoy your day. Jim

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I think unless she is a "computer nut," about the last thing she needs is quilting software. I think the time and money could much better be spent finding websites, or perhaps buying books, that teach various techniques such as mitering, basting, etc. There are also quite a bit of resources about how to make basic quilt blocks/patterns such as 4-square, fence rail, etc. I looked at a few reviews of quilt software, and to me, they just don't really look like anything a beginning quilter really needs.

In fact, I do those things I mentioned, that is, look on the internet for instructions on how to do techniques I have not tried. I have also downloaded paper piecing patterns for stuff like square in a square, etc. I know I could draft my own with a drawing program, or a straight edge and a measuring device, but it is easier to download the PDF file and print it out. I also look at pictures of quilts online, there are lots of them, and although I have never tried duplicate one, I think I may have been inspired from time to time. Although I use the internet to find instruction, etc., part of the appeal of actual quilting is to get away from the computer.

Enough babbling. The sum of my position is that the money is better spent on other things. For instance EQ7 costs almost $200, that would buy a lot of fat quarters

If she still insists on trying quilting software, try to find one that is freeware or offers a free trial. I suspect she will find very little if any use for it. An advanced quilter, or some one who is into making "original designs" might, but I just don't think a beginnig quilter will. Brian Christiansen

hiya Jim, EQ7 is Electric Quilt 7. the program takes some time learning but once you get the hang of the basics makes for some fantastic designing ability. there is a website that shows some of what can be done with this software. on the site they have free fabric library downloads and a monthly competition there for users to upload designs on the monthly theme, well worth a look/see at that if only for some inspiration and drooling.

i agree with Brian you can buy a lot of fabric for the cost of the program and you can get books from the library and we're all here for any questions she might have on all manner/methods etc of the quilting process. all that said, if you're not skint, go for it. then have her return here for the best place online for free advice from all levels of quilters. :) i think we've been online longer than most groups as well. you can access us free and we are self moderated. only occasionally getting out of hand when the bowl of cyber m'n'm's comes round the cyberquilting frame. :))

i am still using EQ4 and find it very useful. would love to have EQ7, the latest version with more bells and whistles but can not justify what the cost is here in NZ. eeeeeeek. i use it on Win XP happily too. so i continue on with my version. it has enough to do what i need now anyhow. it is fun to play with tho i dont fully trust how they work out the fabric needed once you make a design. i guess there is no way to acct for how we quilters can eeek what we need out of less fabric than the average person might think possible. most of us love our scraps dont ya know. :)) j.

"Jim Hughes" wrote ... Good Day ...

What quilting software should I buy for my wife. She has a PC with Windows XP.

She's a good 'crochet person,' but, new to quilting.

Thanks for your time, consideration, and direction.

Jim

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Isn't EQ6 (EQ7) -- the same thing as Electric Quilt? I think it is one and the same!

Brian Christiansen ...

Thank you; fine thoughts to ponder.

My wife is well versed w/Mr PC, she gets around fine.

... bottom line:

1. Software will not be purchased w/o her knowledge
2. Thorough review will take place to evaluate
3. Scale of justice will be employed to weigh 'purchase vs do not purchase'
4. S/W $$ will be compared quilting goodies $$

Thanks Brian ... great aide ! Enjoy your week. Jim

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Kate in MI ...

Howdy, sorry, but I am not able to answer your question.

Take care Jim

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i can, yes it is the same thing. j.

"Jim Hughes" wrote ... Howdy, sorry, but I am not able to answer your question.

"Kate > Isn't EQ6 (EQ7) -- the same thing as Electric Quilt? I think it is one > and the same!

J* ...

Thank you ... lotsa fine advice; very appreciated.

What started as a 'possible surprise gift' for my wife, will turn into a better-directed, research effort because of help from you and, others in this fine group.

I'll heed your advice, thank you.

Enjoy Tuesday, normally, a tough day Jim

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I am getting towards advanced, I think (some days, anyway!) and I do almost all my own designs; but I would absolutely hate computer aided design. I just love the accurate drawing with pencil/pen and paper!

I do also have a lot of books and have subscribed to Quilting Magazines for years.

That might be a preliminary idea for your wife, Jim - a subscription to a Quilting Magazine: but, again, try out one or two likely candidates to see which she likes. They are very different from one another in levels of difficulty and tone of writing etc. . In message , Brian Christiansen writes

DUH!

I had my stupid head on, didn't I? Sorry about that. OF COURSE EQ is Electric Quilt!

I just couldn't remember the 'other one' and wanted to be a little less prescriptive in my research options. The 'other one' is

QUILT-PRO

There are others, NAYY. (Oh dear, mutter, mutter, long day, getting old; shakes head and retires embarrassed)

;-)

Nel (Gadget Queen) with a screw loose, obviously!

On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:19:19 -0500, Kate in MI wrote (in article ):

Yes, they are.

Maureen

Hi Brian,

These are exactly the kinds of functions (plus a whole lot more, like yardage calculations) programs like EQ and Quilt-Pro do best. ;-)

Jim,

I'm considered proficient with the drawing functions of Word, Powerpoint, and Visio, (as well as with EQ), and I still maintain that a dedicated quilting package - if one makes the effort to learn it - is a far better way to go if one is interested in designing their own quilt blocks and quilt designs, play around with color & fabric combinations and those kinds of things, even considering that you could buy around 20 yards of fabric for the $ame. What's that... 2 -

3 bedsize quilts worth? And it doesn't affect (effect?) downloading or learning stuff off the web either way.

EQ and Quilt-Pro DO have some differences, so I would check both out carefully/thoroughly and test-drive if possible.

One other factor/facet that hasn't been mentioned. I got into this strictly because of the software. I've been a designer (of one kind or another) my whole life, and my wife & I have always shared as many activities as possible. She loves the sewing, and I'm just not very good at it. I'm good at analyzing - she's good at putting things into practice (she's also a six-sigma blackbelt). When we were into model railroading, I did track & rolling stock - she was into doing scenery. We're both into bluegrass - I play guitar - she plays banjo. That kind of stuff... So when she got into quilting, I was faced with the prospect of either getting involved in some way, or becoming a "quilt-widower". Our solution: I design quilts and she makes/sews them. Domestic harmony, and another activity we can share from different perspectives.

Doc

Pat S ...

Happy Monday.

Fine ideas, thank you.

I have started a 'Quilt Favorites,' which I know will help. My wife is a decent 'creator,' however, does not refuse an opportunity of help ... software included.

All of the 'group suggestions' will be viewed/considered by my wife ... thanks to all, which will afford her an easier, defined path of choice.

Take care, I appreciate your help. Jim

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Others have mentioned Electric Quilt & Quilt-Pro quilting software companies. Both of these companies have programs for both beginning and more experienced quilters. The beginning software provides information on how to sew blocks together, but one cannot design new blocks and there are other major limitations. Please the the appropriate website for more information on the limiting factors.

Electric Quilt:

Beginners: Quilt Design Wizard -- $30.00 from EQ website more info at: Experienced: Electric Quilt 7 -- $190 from EQ website I've purchased EQ software at cheaper prices from other companies (e.g., Planet Patchwork has EQ 7 for $175).

Quilt-Pro:

Beginners: 1-2-3 Quilt -- $40 from Quilt-Pro website Experienced: Quilt-Pro 5 (versions for both Mac & Windows) $100 from Quilt-Pro website

When I first purchased quilting software, I mostly used it to see how blocks would look on a quilt, to change colors and to print cutting information (e.g., rotary cutting, PP, etc). Both Quilt Design Wizard and 1-2-3 Quilt would handle doing those things. It took me a couple years before I got into designing my own blocks, etc. And, as you can see, both Quilt Design Wizard and 1-2-3 Quilt are fairly inexpensive. They actually cost less than an upgrade from older to newer versions of the full programs.

At the time I purchased my quilting software, these companies did not have the intro software, so I cannot really comment on them. I can say that I purchased both EQ 5 and Quilt-Pro 4 and found EQ 5 more intuitive for me to work with -- but each to their own :-). There are more EQ classes available than for Quilt-Pro. Quilt-Pro has not been upgraded for a few years, but EQ is very actively adding improvements to EQ.

Finally, I personally believe that quilting software saved me more money than I've spent on it. It has also saved a lot of time.

Bev in TX

countryone77 ...

Thank you, just amazing help from this group

You time & thoughts are really appreciated ... more data to churn.

Take care & thanks. Jim

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I have QuiltPro 5. I think I started a long time ago with QuiltPro 3 -- when QuiltPro was the software of choice rather than EQ. I don't use it a lot, but do enjoy doing some things with it. It is especially nice for printing the foundations for foundation paper piecing. It's also saved me from some bad color choices. I'm a bit of a computer geek, so love playing with stuff on the computer. But as others have said, books and magazines are much more useful for beginners. The software is more for designing than for learning basic techniques.

Julia > Good Day ...