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Computer Quilting
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| A negative experience for the first time user will turn the quilter away from computers. A positive experience will leave a new computer user eager for more. |
A positive experience on the computer is essential to new users. Several programs are geared to do just that.
The program called Quilt Design Wizard leads the user through the program with clearly marked buttons. Learning how to run the Quilt Design Wizard will prepare the user for the interface found in the larger flagship program EQ when the user is ready for a more control and design options.

Another easy to use program is called Perfect Quilt Express. It uses help files and index tabs to gently guide the user through selecting blocks, filling patches with fabric and color, quilt layout, and printing yardage charts, templates, rotary cutting charts, foundation blocks and more..

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Other simple interface programs include CDs for paper piecing print only the block to the size you wish and are good starter programs to become comfortable using block libraries. Also look companion CDs found in a book. These CD allow a few design choices like selecting a block or blocks that can be painted and used in a quilt layout.
When the new user is comfortable with selecting blocks and quilt variables, browsing through the help menus, using a printer and more versatility is wanted or needed, then it is time for them to buy a higher end program that does more.
Familiar with common menu options: If a user is familiar with standard File and Edit menu options like print, cut, copy paste, new, open, save, save as, etc., then they are ready to tackle a more complicated program.
The
best thing about computers today is the File, Edit and Help menus are very similar
from program to program. Commonly used keystrokes are the repeated, so what you
learn in one program often works in another. I find this to be true whether you
are using a Mac or PC. Similar keystrokes and menu commands exist between the
two computer types. This makes the learning curve for new software easier.
Experienced
software user: If the user has drawing experience with paint/draw programs
and word processing skills, and the user's goal is to explore the complexities
of a block and quilt layout, then the user will not be satisfied with anything
less than a full quilting program.
How is quilting software being used by quiltersIn interviewing computer quilters around the world, I found that ways of designing a quilt on the computer varied from quilter to quilter. But, all had two things in common, each saw the computer as a tool that:
Here are some of the other reasons given for using computer quilting software.
Learning and Supplemental helpSome programs require no learning curve at all. A full design program requires digging in, exploring and will take time. I have a theory called need to know. Use the computer to work on a project that needs to be finished and you will take the time to learn it. Many adults resist a new learning experience because they do not feel competent and this can be very fatiguing. My advice is do NOT give up, you are learning more than you think. Here are some suggestions on how to go about learning the program:
Program help files: Companies developing computer quilting software realize the quilter often comes to the software with little computer background. As a result program help files are outstanding, far above the industry standard. Most of the quilting software help files include high quality step-by-step instructions and some are supplemented by small videos of specific tasks. One program has taken that even further by adding an interactive mouse click that automatically jumps to the correct help section being used. Supplemental how-to books and CDs: The use of quilting software has produced a series of helpful supplemental books and CDs geared toward the beginner and more advanced user. Electric Quilt has the richest set of supplement books. Each book and CD brings a quality learning experience to the user who needs extra help or wants to push the limits of the program with more advanced drawing and design skills. Internet Quilting community help: The Internet itself is a great resource for learning quilting software. Many quilters share knowledge, reviews and projects on websites. Another more personal source are e-mail lists. E-mail lists are groups of quilters sharing a common interest who exchange e-mail. Questions are often answered within minutes and sharing of project files and pictures is common. Many websites offer online classes. Some instruction is program specific and others give ideas on how to use the computer as a tool for quilting design. A very popular website for online classes is QuiltUniversity.com BudgetBudget is always a consideration when looking at software. Programs costs range from under $20 to over $100. Software and Products Available to the Computer QuilterEvery conceivable option you can image is available today. A quick overview of the types of programs and CDs available will provide you with a starting point in deciding what you can do with a computer and where you may wish to focus your attention. Reviews in Magazines and on the Internet: By looking at the software reviews and project files that are being written on the Internet, in quilt magazines and other sources, the quilter can determine if a program meets their needs. Overview of what you can expect from each program:
Printing: Some CDs print a limited number of blocks or quilts to a few specific sizes. Other CDs allow custom size printing of templates, outlines, grayscale or color printouts, and numbered blocks for foundation piecing. It varies from program to program. Program types available to the computer quilter:Quilt Block Libraries on CDs:There are several different block library CDs. Some are simple programs that allow you to select and print a block and its templates or pattern to a limited number of sizes. Others allow you to resize the block to any size and print. The CD can have anywhere from 50 to 4000 blocks depending on the CD and its cost. NOTE: A full quilting software program is needed for drawing your own blocks and laying them out in a quilt.
Fabrics Scanned on CDs:These CDs feature the latest spring and fall collections of fabrics released for quilters. They usually work better with parent specific software as an add-on but can be used to export bitmaps to paint/draw, desktop publishing, and other quilting software programs. Use to:
Quilt Design Programs:
Full capacity quilt design programs are the most comprehensive software available to the computer quilter. Collaborations between quilters and the developers of the software have produced programs that logically follow the steps needed to create a quilt.
Check reviews and program details for what each program will do. This is a partial list of what quilt design programs allow you to do
Theme based quilting software:The end quilt project is geared to a very specific quilt style. It can be associated with a quilt book presentation or a specific technique used to create a quilt.
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Programs that add special effects to a quilt design:These titles are used to manipulate quilt designs into new innovative ideas. They are sought after by the innovative quilter who wants to push the boundaries of the traditional quilt by exploring more deeply layout variations, adding kaleidoscope effects, tessellating effects and skewing the block and quilt design. Each takes a traditional shape and skews it into a new variation that is often very difficult to come up with on graph paper alone.
Below Manipulation done in Repligator
Manipulation done in Repligator Below is detail generated by Paint
by Numbers
Clipart CDs. Clipart CDs come in several types. All are stand alone files that can be printed. These are picture files that can be quilt theme specific. The files can be added to word processing, paint/draw programs, and some quilting software. How you use the file depends on how the picture was created. The quilting software that allows the import of Clipart uses two methods to create the file, one is a bitmap and the other is vector objects. When Clipart is a bitmap (a solid picture) the bitmap can be used as a fabric scan. In some software, it can be used as a section of the quilt. When the Clipart is vector based (individual object/patches) then some quilting software allows you manipulate each object/patch directly. This is great for appliqué. If being able to use a bitmap or vector based image is important to you, check to see if the quilting software you are interested in will import either or both. Organizational Software: Use to document purchases, storage location, projects, class diary, quilt diary and documentation.
Products that can be helpful to computer quilters:
Books & Instructional CDs, DVD & Videos: (SEE BELOW)These CDs offer quilts, blocks, digitized embroidery CD and more. Some CDs come with video demos. Others come with instructions only that are to be printed out. Pattern CDs include blocks, quilts and any templates or shapes to be printed as needed. Usually multiple quilt patterns come on the CD. ConclusionComputer quilting is a personal experience that will be based on your style of quilting and what role you want the computer to play in your design process. It is a design tool that can be an end to a means or a part of the process. Use it any way you wish as an aid to creating quilts. With the full range of available programs, what you need is here, ready to be used. Remember, have fun and enjoy the ride! Sharla
DVD & CD Fabric Painting Techniques
Zentangle: Technique for meditative patterning & doodling, usually done with black pen on white background
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