Hi friends!
When I lecture or teach, one question I often get asked is how do I design my quilts? Do I use graph paper or a computer program? And while I occasionally use graph paper to start, I always use Electric Quilt (AKA EQ8) to finalize the quilt design.
Post contains an affiliate link where, if you decide to purchase, I will earn a very small commission at no extra charge to you.
What is EQ8?
EQ8 is the leading quilt design software. You can create all sorts of quilts using the program and you can even upload images of fabrics to see how they will look in your quilt!
And if the idea of creating quilts sounds fun but maybe a computer program seems intimidating, well EQ has something new just for you!
A brand new EQ for You Starter Box!
What’s in the Starter Box?
- Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) Software – The company’s complete quilt-design software, providing robust features for creating blocks, quilt layouts, fabric color ways, and custom designs.
- EQ8 Lessons for Beginners Book – A best-selling, fully illustrated, spiral-bound lesson book that offers clear, step-by-step guidance to help users learn the software at their own pace.
- Simple Starts Add-On for EQ – A download for EQ8 software that includes beginner-friendly projects for design inspiration.
- 1-Year Membership Voucher – Access to free fabric downloads for EQ8, exclusive member discounts, free yearly gifts, and other member-only perks.
- Instructional Videos and Printed Guides- Easy-to-follow visual and written instructions to help users get started designing right away.
- EQ Mouse Pad & Sticker- Trendy and fun extras that will brighten your sewing room or computer workspace.
Why I like EQ8
I use EQ8 to design all my quilts. What I really like is, if I am just playing around and I am not really sure where I’m headed with a quilt, I have the ability to play with a classic block, remake it, recolor it, try it in a variety of settings, or create my own block. If I don’t like what I made, no harm, no foul! I am not playing with fabric, just playing in the computer!
There are just so many possibilities with EQ8 – from uploading images of my fabrics (or other fabric company fabrics), to creating my own blocks and custom layouts, to using preset layouts and blocks… pieced quilts, appliqué quilt, paper pieced quilts… all are possible!
As some of you know, I now design fabric. I had NO idea HOW to design fabric so I took a few classes on how to create repeat designs. And in every class I heard the same theme; make a lot of designs. A lot of it may be bad. That’s OK. Save the good ones.
It’s the same with designing quilts; not all the designs you create will be good. But EQ8 gives you a platform to practice, to play, to try, to try again and to tweak again and again until you have the design the way you want!
(Isn’t there also a saying about kissing a lot of frogs until you find your prince? Same idea!)
Want a chance to make design your own quilts???
Giveaway!!
EQ is SO very generous. The EQ for You starter Box is a $336.80 value for only $276.95! And I have 1 to giveaway to 1 lucky quilter!!! What an amazing giveaway!
For a chance to win an EQ for You Starter Box for your own, just leave a comment on this blog post.
NOTE: Comments must be left on this post. To leave a comment, scroll to the bottom of the post, then go past About Kate and Related Posts and you will see Leave A Comment. Enter your comment into the box and when done, click on Post Comment!
Giveaway will be open from Wednesday April 22 and will close at 9pm on Saturday May 2nd. So don’t delay- leave a comment now!
I will draw 1 random name from all the comments and then I will email the winners. PLEASE be sure to check your email on May 3rd (including your spam folder). I will email the winner but if I don’t hear from that winner within 48 hours, I will draw a new name. If you respond after that, you forfeit your win. NOTE: EQ for You Starter Box will ship from the Electric Quilt Company so I will share the winner’s mailing address with them.
Happy quilting and Good Luck!!
Kate
If you want to see my unboxing video, head on over to Instagram (link will open in a new window)!
Want to know more about the software? Click here and use my affiliate link to open a new window and go to the Electric Quilt website and learn more!