A Quilt Design Secret - I EQ **GIVEAWAY**

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As many of you know I design quilts in Photoshop, so you might be wondering why I use EQ8 for quilt design.  I use Photoshop as my sketch book but I use EQ8 when I'm ready to make my quilts and to write patterns..



I recently designed my quilt Ingress/Egress in Photoshop.  Picking my colors and shapes is a very fluid process for me since I've been using Photoshop since 2000.

Ingress/Egress Photoshop Design


After getting a design I was pleased with I then design the block(s) in EQ8  Sometimes there is just one block like my Why Knot quilt and other times there are several blocks to design like this one.  I can add as much detail as I want when making the block and then apply it to your quilt.


Ingress/Egress EQ8 Design

As you can see the two designs are very similar but there are advantages to switching to EQ8 when executing a quilt design.  I like designing in Photoshop, it's where I'm comfortable but adding seams to my shapes, applying actual fabric swatches, making templates and calculating fabric is where EQ8 shines.

Ingress/Egress Templates in EQ8


The above image isn't exciting to look at but it's a screen shot of the templates for Ingress/Egress. With a couple clicks I have the templates to make my quilt or to use when writing patterns, which is the most frequent way I use them. I can have confidence that the templates in my patterns are accurate when I go to print or publish a new pattern.  EQ8 can also create paper piecing templates!

Ingress/Egress Fabric Requirements EQ8


Another benefit of EQ8 over Photoshop is the EQ8 shopping list.  The program calculates the all the fabric requirements for you, no more quilt math, unless you like it which I do so I always double check the requirements and have made very few changes to the calculated amounts.



Finally, **GIVEAWAY** time!  The people at Electric Quilt have partnered with me to giveaway a full copy of EQ8!!  To enter please leave a comment either on this post or corresponding post on Instagram, @quiltachusetts , and follow me either on my blog and/or on Instagram.  I will randomly pick a winner from all those who comment.  If you are commenting on my blog please make sure I have a way to contact you.  If your comment is selected and there's not contact information I will have to pick another winner.  The winner will be selected November 1st and any comments made after October 31st will not be eligible for the drawing.

If you're comment isn't selected or you just can't wait to start playing with the software you can use promotion code: EQ8HEATHERB for 20% off the EQ website, including the software, upgrades and add ons.  The promotional code is good through the end of the year making it perfect for Christmas shopping!!






Comments

  1. DebbieOctober 23, 2019 at 10:49 AM

    This was so interesting. I would love to learn how to use EQ8!
    Thank you
    Debbie S

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  2. Susan MichaelOctober 23, 2019 at 11:15 AM

    Such a cool design! Congrtulations! contact at chemicalmango@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. POLLYS POCKETSOctober 23, 2019 at 11:41 AM

    Perfect timing win or lose,as this is one on my bucket purchase list for 2020.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Daniela MartisovitsovaOctober 23, 2019 at 3:17 PM

    Great Giveaway. Thank you for showing us your way of using it. Love the design process. martisovitsd (at) central (dot) edu

    ReplyDelete
  5. mslblOctober 23, 2019 at 3:54 PM

    Great info. Great givaway! Have you ever done a video on how you design on Photoshop?

    ReplyDelete
  6. scottyloverOctober 23, 2019 at 4:20 PM

    Love seeing your process!

    ReplyDelete
  7. rosemaryschildOctober 23, 2019 at 6:47 PM

    Wonderful giveaway! A very modern quilt design! Thank you, Susan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Farm QuilterOctober 23, 2019 at 6:51 PM

    I would love to win this!!! I've played with a friend's (probably EQ6) and it was so much fun!! wild_blue_farm at yahoo.com Very generous of EQ and you!!! Thank you so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. maryOctober 23, 2019 at 8:51 PM

    I would love to win.

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  10. Sophie ZauggOctober 23, 2019 at 10:10 PM

    Thank you for sharing your experience in designing! I already use EQ7 so it would be a great opportunity to upgrade.

    ReplyDelete
  11. BethOctober 23, 2019 at 10:34 PM

    I believe I am ready to give up my graph paper and move to EQ. I follow you on your blog, under my wordygirl at earthlink dot net email address.

    ReplyDelete
  12. DonnaOctober 24, 2019 at 7:56 AM

    EQ8 sounds like a fantastic way to be able to try out different fabrics and all the calculations figured out for you.
    Oh yes I would love it, thanks so much giveaway.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Catherine CraigOctober 24, 2019 at 8:50 AM

    So excited that this could be happening! Had a super old version at one point,...but that machine has long retired.

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  14. NicoleOctober 27, 2019 at 8:06 AM

    Switching over to EQ *is* on my to-do [one day] list. For now however I'll be over here with my graph paper and pencil....sniff.

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  15. GranChrisOctober 27, 2019 at 6:23 PM

    Keeping my fingers crossed I might win this one.

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  16. KEMOctober 27, 2019 at 9:23 PM

    It was interesting to see how you integrate photoshop and EQ. Thanks for sharing your process with us!

    ReplyDelete
  17. quilt for funOctober 28, 2019 at 5:33 AM

    I use EQ7, but would love to try out the new features of EQ8. I just discovered your blog ��, but have already made one of your quilts (Urban Trek), which is getting lots of compliments!
    bahoffman16 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork AppliquéOctober 31, 2019 at 8:03 AM

    I would love to try EQ, thanks for the chance ;)

    ReplyDelete

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