I’ve been using the quilt design software Electric Quilt (EQ) since the EQ5 version. I’m now using EQ8, so it’s been a few years. OK, quite a few.
All the drawings in this post were done with various versions of EQ.
I love EQ for several reasons:
- I like to design my own quilts. At first I didn’t have many ideas, so I just combined the blocks provided by EQ in various ways. There are almost endless possibilities. Here’s where I re-drew Arkansas Crossroads to see how it would look with a scrap slab center.
- Once a quilt is designed, it can be exported as a JPEG to share with friends! That’s how I got the pictures in this post from EQ to the blog 😀 Here’s one from 2007:
- I can fiddle endlessly with various layouts, block sizes, colors, etc, etc. before deciding how I want to do a quilt. Here are a few options I considered for a doll quilt for a friend.
- When the instructions in a pattern don’t work out, or the size of the quilt doesn’t suit me, I can draw the quilt in EQ and try out various solutions. Here’s a block I re-drafted after the instructions in the pattern didn’t really work. And by the way, I was able to print templates straight from EQ in the desired size once I got it re-drafted.
- AND on top of all that: the block above was colored with my actual fabric because I was able to scan the fabric into EQ, scale it, and then fussy cut the block center from it!
- It’s possible to make everything from simple to elaborate designs.
- EQ gives me an estimate of the yardage needed for a quilt. It does over-estimate a bit, but of course that’s waaaay better than underestimating! So, for example, I drew this quilt and then decided what size I could make it based on how much fabric I have. I can change the size of the blocks until the quilt fits my yardage!
- I just like to draw things in EQ for fun. Here’s a tile floor I photographed in a restaurant and then drew in EQ. No way would I make this, but it was fun to draw. The asymmetry shown was indeed in the floor from which I copied the design.
There are sooo many other things I love about EQ! I’ve just taken the on-line classes to learn to use it better and they were very helpful.
And finally, the folks at EQ provide wonderful customer service. A friend and I both failed to figure out how to draw the quilt below in EQ. I emailed tech support about it and Heidi drew it for me! She also sent a link to a lesson on how it was done 😀 That’s great customer service!
I get so much use out of this program! Have you tried it?
PS: No, this is NOT a sponsored post! But here’s the link if you want to learn more about EQ8: ElectricQuilt.com
The EQ folks have a video program for guilds, too. Don’t know about you, but we’re always looking for program ideas.
Zippy Quilts 
I agree 100 percent! I’ve been an EQ user for several generations of the program, and find it very helpful. Sometimes. It’s fabulous for block-based designs, and even creating original foundation paper pieced designs. However, I’ve found it limiting – or perhaps I should say “much more challenging” – to design a custom layout, such as positioning blocks at an angle (not on-point). I want to do that now, for a modern design I have in my head, but after attempting it in EQ, I’m heading to graph paper.
I don’t much care for the custom layout, but I think it’s because I haven’t practiced with it enough. I expect if you email tech support about what you’re trying to do they will help 😀 In any case, I look forward to seeing your design!
Thanks for the information. I’ve been interested in this since I’ve been following your blog. I’ve always wondered if it user friendly. My tech skills are a bit above basic, and I have an outdated desktop. It might be time to update.
My desktop probably is 10 years old, which I’m sure is outdated by computer standards, but it works well. If you get EQ, I recommend either getting the hard copy of the user guide and/or taking the online classes. It’s a lot like MS Word–easy to use on a basic level, but so much more you can do if you want to.
The consummate professional, you have mastered this tool and used it to fully explore design ideas, ‘have fun’ as well as produce your many patterns. I am so impressed!
Thank you, Laura, for your kind remarks as always.
I have been thinking about getting EQ, so I enjoyed reading your review.
They’ll have a sale before Christmas, I bet! Go for it! And Thanks for reading and commenting 😀
You EQ wizard! I have it and someday I am going to learn it, ha! I even bought some training books.
Arkansas Crossroads reimagined EQ layout looks amazing, nice redesign!
Thanks, Tierney. I recommend the online courses. They’re not too expensive or too long 😀
You have convinced me that EQ is an exceptional quilting tool — in the hands of the right person.
As with all software, there is a learning curve, but I get a lot of use out of it (as you see).
I read your article about this when you first published it. Thanks so much for the information and sharing. Your perspective was helpful and insightful and helped me make the decision to purchase the software! Thank you!
Hi Leslie! I expect you’ll enjoy the software. It’s very versatile but that means there is SO MUCH to learn about it that it can be frustrating! The online classes from EQ are relatively inexpensive and well worth the money. Cheers!