THANK YOU for all this great information... A lot to read about...

Susan: I saw your flower- beautiful btw -, and that is the kind of embroidery I would like to design - with my own flowers, birds, leaves, whatever! I'll look into the forum's posts, and Joann Winn's classes on Quilt University as well. My local dealer is not only a Janome dealer, she sells Bernina and Husqvarna as well, but I know that they sell 5D by Husqvarna - I don't know if they are knowledgeable on other softwares.

Erica: your idea to design in EQ-stitch then opening in another software to do more elaborate design is also a great idea...

OK, in the meantime, the machine has to work, so I'll do the embroidery designs of the BOM2012. A lot of fun ahead!

Thanks again!
Andrée

[url]forum/threads-and-embellishments/2842-embroidery-software-whats-the-best[/url]

this is a link to a lenthy forum section on embroidery software. Lots of good information there I think.

[quote="AndreeBergeron
Erica,
I just bought an emboidery machine (actually, a sewing/embroidery combo - Janome MC9900), and i'm looking at my next step -to digitize my own designs... What is the software you are using? I own EQ7 and have been "bombarded" with advertising for EQ-Stitch, but I'm wondering if the designs are limited considering the price of this plug-in compared to the price of other digitizing software... I'm pretty new at this, as you can tell...

Andrée[/quote]

Andree

I have been using Embird for about 10 years and I love it. It has a learning curve but I took some reasonably priced lessons on the internet. I can do everything that my Bernina friends do at our local quilt shop! I just ordered EQ Stitch because I use EQ7 and I want to do the basic digitizing in EQ and then open the design in Embird and do all the fancy stuff. Playing with my 2 favorite software programs together.

Since you already use EQ, you could start your journey with EQ Stitch!

Erica

[/quote]
I just bought an emboidery machine (actually, a sewing/embroidery combo - Janome MC9900), and i'm looking at my next step -to digitize my own designs... What is the software you are using?
[/quote]

Andree,
I'm sooooooo opinionated on this topic. As I recall JoJo once saying somewhere on this Forum, "run, don't walk" to get Bernina Designer Plus Version 6 software. She designs with a commercial version of Wilcom, the company that made V6, and her opinion, this is the best software available for the home user. A new version is coming out at Bernina University (v7) so some dealers may be running specials to get this version. It may seem on the pricey side initially, but this package is all inclusive and does everything you could possibly want (well, except for what the upgrade will do and we don't know about that yet). There are other modular systems out there. You can inch your way up to probably the same price. You won't need the upgrade to v7 for a very long time (years)

You can digitize for your brand of embroidery with this, you don't need a Bernina. There are tons of FREE, I repeat, FREE tutorials, both by Bernina and by others. If you decide to get it, I'll start a list for you and others can pitch in. I did take every one of Joann Winn's classes on Quilt University which helped, too. They aren't free, but inexpensive and she gives you awesome designs, one of which you can see on my profile...the big sprawly flower. That one is breathtaking if I say so myself

If you go to my show and tell pictures, you can see blocks that I've digitized. Dang, I never did finish Hugs and Kisses BOM, though the blocks are done.

There are several other forum sections talking about this very subject, but I have to get back to finishing Month 3

RicaWil wrote: Erica,
I just bought an emboidery machine (actually, a sewing/embroidery combo - Janome MC9900), and i'm looking at my next step -to digitize my own designs... What is the software you are using? I own EQ7 and have been "bombarded" with advertising for EQ-Stitch, but I'm wondering if the designs are limited considering the price of this plug-in compared to the price of other digitizing software... I'm pretty new at this, as you can tell...

Andrée

I finished my blocks for March. But still need to do the beauty quarter squares to put away for later. I need to get those done in the next week because I plan to digitize the appliques and do them on my embroidery machine. And that will take some time.

I love all the different color combinations that you all have chosen. It's amazing!

Erica

YEA!! I am SO GLAD that the Striplate method is working for you!!

I've always said that there are always multiple techniques to accomplish the same thing in quilting projects!

Not right...not wrong...just whatever works best for you!

Hi Margo
I also did the striplate method for all 3 months blocks. After getting the ruler to the right angle, it is a sheer pleasure to see all blocks coming together the right size etc.
I had to laugh at quilting club last week, my curved peaked blocks were chosen by our leader to show the new ones how to do a curved seam.
I have learn't so much since I started to quilt this time last year.

Ruth North central coast NSW Australia

Yes Margo, I did stick with the striplate method thru all three months. I have done paper pieceing before, but wanted to perfect a new method - so I stuck with the striplate method. I will try to get some pictures posted - I am not very handy with computer stuff, lol, but will try to get my hubby to help with that. I do love all the videos, and so many, many helpful answers you have posted on TQS. Thanks so much

Linda

Welcome ladies I'm sure you will receive wonderful support and encouragement and learn a great deal from this forum as I have.
Gail, Far North Queensland, Australia

quiltmom1954 wrote:
Do you mean Pat Holly?? We haven't heard from her, but I hope she enjoys seeing the photos on the BOM Show & Tell page!

[url]see-quilts/show-and-tell-quilts/[/url]

Hayleysmom wrote:
Linda, did you use the Striplate method for all of the first 3 month's units??

Hi Linda, so you used the striplate method? I am very impressed. We would love to see photos please?

thanks for the warm welcomes. Pat Hollt, one of this years BOM designers is a close friend of mine. I hope I make her proud