program to help me plan a quilt??

[LynnS]

I know I could use graph paper....but is there a (free) program that I can use to plan a quilt? I'm thinking of the Halloween wallhanging I want to do. I'd like to plan out the placement of the colors in the firecracker block, and see what colors I want to use. I love holiday fabrics, so I could just buy a lot of different colors/patterns but I want to just buy what I need. Any ideas?

[gardenquilter]

I dont know of a free program - you may check out EQ 6 they might have a demo to look at - it is well worth the money if you do alot of design work and even if you dont it is wonderful for resizing it will print out directions with template, rotary cutting or paper piecing many times you get to decide which is better for you

[Oasis]

I have EQ5 and love it. Like gardenquilter said, it prints out the pattern after you design it. It is kind of expensive but if you can swing it you'll love it. Quilt University.com has online lessons for just about everything but is not free (around $36.00 each).

But you might be able to do it free with the demo.

Try "Free quilting design" in your search box. Also try www.quiltingstudio.com.

[sewbug]

Quilt 123 from Quilt Pro has a trail period of 30 days you can download and try. The program expires and won't open after the 30 day period but that should give you plenty of time to check it out.

[saden]

I purchased Quilt Design Wizard by the EQ6 company for $24.96 at the Paducah Quilt Show. It does a fantastic job, is easy to use/learn & you can go on their web site www.quiltdesignwizard.com and download updated fabrics/blocks, etc. Of course, it isn't free but works very well & I was at my first quilt 'anything' when I got it, took it home & used it.

[Jasinta]

I bought a very inexpensive computer program that let's me design the quilts, I can try out all different colors on the blocks and pick the sashings or not, borders, its awesome, and very easy to use.

[LynnS]

Which program is it?

[IowaGal]

I use my husbands stained glass software. Called pattern wizard. It also resizes, which I like.

[Oasis]

IowaGal. . .

Thanks for the tip on "Pattern Wizard". I just went to the website and am going to try the free trial. I just purchased a quilt book about stained glass quilting from the Katie Lane website and Pattern Wizard will be a nice companion program. I haven't received the book yet and am even more anxious to get it and see if it is something I can make work. To get started I'm going to use the little suncatcher pieces and put them in an attic window pattern to try the technique.

Thanks again, the things I have learned on the forum are amazing.