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Mechanic Quilt Top Finished

Here’s the top which will be loaded on the longarm as soon as I finish piecing the backing.  See anything wrong?  This is one of those tops where it’s so easy to turn a block wrong or have the wrong background piece in the wrong spot.  I figure showing it here and asking for scrutiny is a good idea before I start quilting.

See how close it looks to the EQ drawing.

Again I ask . . if you’re not using EQ, why not?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Because it is for a mechanic…handsome quilt! No, I didn’t see any issues or turned blocks.

  3. I think the quilt looks fine to me.
    I have EQ but I have not really taken the time needed to learn the program – I am not good with computer programs and I don’t sit and design for days on end to learn it – I might fool around with it and then don’t touch it for several months and have to try to learn it all over again, I’m not good with memorizing the “rules” I am the type that has to use a program over and over again to learn it.
    Karen

  4. I wish I had EQ…but I don’t, then wonder if I could learn it anyway! I have looked and looked for a mistake and see nadda!! So I guess it is good to go!!! It is beautiful!!

  5. I LOVE MY EQ!!

    For everyone who thinks it is hard to learn, it is not. I watched the 10 short tutorials and then dove in. I keep my manual nearby if I need help with something.

    USE YOUR EQ!!!

  6. I love EQ and I truly believe if I can learn it, anyone can. When I get stuck and can’t figure it out, I cry out for help and within a short amount of time, I’ve been rescued.

    I think the quilt looks fabulous! I’m not looking for mistakes, those I am finding in my own sewing room today. 😉

  7. I see no turned block or fabric. Looks like EQ to me.
    Yes,I use EQ 7. I learn as the need arises. We are planning a charity quilt and I drew up an easy pattern and setting because not everyone uses the same quarter inch.

  8. No EQ for a number of reasons.
    1. $$ could be spent on other things
    2. I spend enough time on the computer. I only go electronic for quilting if I’m *really* pressed for time on how to figure something out (other than browsing blogs for inspiration). I’d much rather flip through one of my books.
    3. Drawing something out on paper is nearly as satisfying as the actual sewing, playing with colored pencils or crayons.
    4. And the real reason is that I mostly make things up as I go along, and don’t plan things out ahead of time. Not the most efficient way of doing things, but this is the least stressful way for me to play.

  9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my EQ!!!

    Just dove right in and have never looked at a tutorial at all. Simple to use. And has solved so may of my questions like how much material to buy for this type of block, etc. I just spend time playing around with diferent blocks, colors or settings.

    If u have it, just get in there and play. No quilt police will come get you, I promise

  10. When I got my first EQ, I was barely computer literate but the manual was so well written, and assumed quilters were not computer geeks, that I learned quickly how to use the program. I was able to transfer what I learned in EQ to other things on the computer so it actually helped me become more proficient with other programs. Each additional edition of EQ has been even more user friendly and customer support is fantastic when you run into problems. So quilters, don’t hesitate to get it and use it!

  11. I don’t see anything wrong. And if there is something out of place, it becomes your vanity block, Right? I don’t know if I will ever purchase the EQ.. I guess I still like drawing the old-fashion way. 🙂
    Trina

  12. This is a wonderful quilt Judy! If there is something wrong, I can’t find it. Looks Perfect!
    I have EQ, and have seldom used it. I guess with all the pattern packets, books with quilt patterns, quilt kits, magazine patterns and quilt patterns on the internet I’ve not had any interest in designing my own quilts.

  13. Looks great! I have EQ5, but it seems so unfriendly — just to begin creating a block, you have to go through so many steps, and if you miss just one, I get lost. Maybe I’ll try it again, everyone who uses EQ loves it!

  15. I have had to reprogram my laptop due to virus issues… and I think my EQ is no longer valid. Is there a way to get his fixed?

  16. Because EQ doesn’t work on Macs and I am not willing to buy a license for Microsoft windows and allocate space on my computer to install a second operating system (and the file systems and network and printers) just so I can purchase a copy of EQ.

  17. I really want to buy EQ7, but have a hard time justifying spending $189 on a computer program. I have just designed two quilts and had to stitch and unstitch several times because I made blocks. laid them out on the floor, measured twice, cut once, sewed them together and did something wrong several times before the quilt came out right. It sure would be nice to have the computer program to play with first. My friend also has a Mac and says the same thing, EQ isn’t Mac friendly 🙁
    Maybe I need to find someone who doesn’t use their EQ and buy their computer 🙂

  18. I’ve just been looking into purchasing EQ. With Mother’s Day coming up, and since I’ve been such a wonderful mom (lol..kidding and clowning around) it might be a good time to put some hints out there!

    I sit with my pen, pencils and graph paper, but I don’t try the pieced borders because of all the math involved. EQ would probably help me on that.

    Hope your Easter was a wonderful one.

  19. Beautiful quilt and looks perfect. If there is an error somewhere, it’s not obvious. I have had EQ7 for about a year and finally loaded it last week. My first impression was that the program is not as user friendly as so many other quilters seem to think. Since I want to get my money’s worth, I intend to learn the program but it will take a while.

  21. I haven’t considered buying EQ because I’m still working on either traditional patterns or freeform quilts. As much as I love the bold, graphic designs of EQ, It’ll take me years to get through the quilts I still want to make.

  23. Wonderful Quilt!! I see it as an American hero quilt or for the mechanic:) Great Job!

  24. It all boils down to the cost. Really. It’s not that I don’t have it but I can’t see paying that much for a software I’m not sure how much I’ll use. If I buy a canner I know it’s going to get used. If I buy an iron I know it’s going to get used. EQ7…maybe. Maybe not. I’m not great on a computer so what if it’s so confusing I give it up. No self-confidence…maybe I should add that to the cost! 🙂 blessings, marlene

  25. I’d love to have EQ7, but I don’t and who knows if I ever will.
    I see nothing wrong with the top so guessing nothing needs fixing:)

  26. I think it is in the upper left hand corner that you can barely see. Didn’t check all comments, but it may be because of the way quilt is draped. lookeds like a 2 patches or so of background might be missing?

  27. Oh, I don’t have eq…i had it at one time, never used it, not interested in designing quilts, I can do enough damage to existing designs without it, lol, and I have a Mac and it doesn’t work on a Mac. :}

  28. Very nice! Your color matches are perfect from the program to your fabric. I do have EQ, and use it for some things. But I’d say well over 50% of my quilts are designed as I go. That’s the way I want and like it. I know some people are the total opposite… and that’s what makes quilting so fun! The differences and the opportunity to do things different ways. But I hard ever know… or want to know what my quilts are going to look like when they are done, until I get there. for me, that’s fun. For many, that would drive you nuts, I know.

  29. I have and love EQ. I also have and love my Mac. EQ won’t work *natively* on a Mac, but it’s a simple matter to put it into a Windows installation in Boot Camp (requiring rebooting to get to and from Windows-Mac) or Parallels or Fusion. Those last two let the user work in EQ while also working on native Mac applications. I use Parallels, and it’s really easy.

  31. I have EQ6 but never took the time to learn to use it. Need to change that but now I want EQ7. Is it true that with EQ7, you are not limited on how many times you put it on your computer?

  32. EQ is awesome!!! Love love love it! Does EQ7 do hexagon shaped quilt blocks? I haven’t been able to find it in EQ6, so wondering if the upgrade would get it for me.

  34. I’ve had EQ since v.4 — I always upgrade so I don’t miss anything. Also, the upgrade price is cheaper than starting new. However, I have designed fewer than a dozen quilts with it. I need to sit down, concentrate, and get good at it!

  35. Beautiful quilt. It’s hard to tell that your EQ image isn’t a photo of the quilt.

    I love EQ. My computer died 3 weeks ago and though I could use my husband’s it doesn’t have EQ loaded on it. I was so glad to get my new computer all set up with it. I didn’t realize how much I use it until I didn’t have it!

  36. I’m not really a designer. There are so many wonderful quilt patterns already out there! Again, you’ve designed a keeper pattern and quilt.

  37. I use EQ and am always amazed how close the quilt can look compared to the Picture on EQ. It’s fun to change the borders so quickly in EQ and see the changes in the look before you cut the fabrics! I’m not ‘fluent’ in EQ just yet, but I have made some cute quilts on it that I want to put into fabrics- someday, when the UFO’s pile gets a little shorter. The Mechanics quilt look great. What will you quilt on it?

  38. A handsome quilt indeed. No obvious varients noted… So must be most subtle as a quilt that graphic usually calls attention to mis piecing. I love it.
    As to EQ, i am saving up for it, that is a lot of money for me. I am also quite busy, as we all are, and I think EQ will help me make decisions & so I hope I’ll be able to forge through the delays caused in designing dilemmas! Thanks for encouragement & for inspiration! B

  39. I have EQ7 and love it. The company support is fantastic, the manual is set out in lessons that start easy and progress to more difficult. There is a great help function, tutorials, and an online forum for user help. At the beginning I used to play with it for a few hours a week and it filled the creative need that I did not have time to execute in real fabric. There is also a monthly quilt design challenge that gives you a focus for creating and it also introduces you to parts of the program you may not have visited yet. When you submit a design you get all the designs that were entered for that challenge. What I like best about the program is auditioning companion blocks; and the second is auditioning colours. The real reason I love EQ is that it is so much fun. Click here to view any of the quilt challenges over the years (on the right calendar). http://www.electricquilt.com/Users/FunStuff/ClubEQ/ClubEQ.asp

  40. I love EQ. I can’t see anything wrong with the quilt. Usually I can spot pieces turned wrong, but I couldn’t find any. Is there something turned the wrong way?

  41. I find that a #2 yellow pencil works for most things. Im not seeing any
    errors.. looks good to me !

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