• You can use software to design quilts on your home computer.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Anna
  
  

Function

• Quilt designing software allows any quilter to use her own creativity to design a pattern or color scheme for the next quilting project, without relying on a printed sample or book. Block placement, quilt size, fabric choices and border details are designed onscreen. Some software programs calculate fabric yardage and rotary cutting instructions.
  
  

Benefits

• By using quilt designing software, the quilter can test block choices and color combinations without touching a sewing machine. Purchasing a variety of fabric samples to create test blocks can be expensive and most quilt designing programs allow the user to upload the latest fabric collections and view them onscreen. Quilt design software also allows quilters to try different border combinations and overall quilting patterns, without committing cutting and sewing time.
  
  

Types

• The most popular quilt designing software is the Electric Quilt (EQ) line. Launched in 1991, the EQ software has expanded throughout the years to include new features as the quilting industry has changed. The software is supported by three instruction books. QuiltPro was released a few years after EQ and has an advantage in user-friendliness, thanks to its Help program. QuiltSoft and BlockBase are other popular quilting software programs.
  
  

Significance

• Quilting is a creative endeavor and for years, many quilters have been altering commercially-produced patterns to put their own stamp on the finished product. Quilt designing software has allowed many casual quilters to launch pattern design businesses from home, simplifying pattern making and bringing new designs to a larger audience.
  
  

Considerations

• The software programs for quilt designing require an investment of time in order for users to learn to effectively navigate the screens and produce the desired outcome. Not all programs are intuitive and costs can range from $40 to $120. Upgrades and add-ons will increase the cost of the software. Some programs include extensive help features embedded within the software, while others also have online help and book support.