Frequently Asked Questions
What is Electric Quilt?
Electric Quilt is the name of our company as well as our main software. We are a software
company specializing in quilt design software and other products (books, printable fabrics,
etc.) to support and complement EQ.
When you make a quilt, you need fabric and a pattern or idea. If you have a pattern, it might not be the size you need. If you have an idea but don't turn it into a pattern, your may encounter math errors and have to re-sew sections of the quilt. This is when Electric Quilt software becomes perhaps the most important tool in your sewing room.
With Electric Quilt software, you can design new blocks and quilt settings right on your screen, put them together, paint them with real scanned fabrics, and print out the pattern. You can SEE BEFORE YOU SEW! You can get the idea from out of your head and on to the screen. You can make the pattern the size you need it and print it out from your home printer. All this saves you time, money and fabric.
Do you make Macintosh versions?
We now have Macintosh users using our programs on their Macs through
emulation software. Gloria Hansen, co-author of the "Free Stuff on the Internet" series of books, is a Mac user and writes that
"you can run any quilt PC program by using Virtual PC if you are using a newer Macintosh, such as an iMac or a Macintosh with a 603 180 MHz processor or better."
We think Macs are fabulous computers and value our Mac users; we just want to be able to provide the high level of programming expected and best support we can, without spreading ourselves too thin.
Our Electric Quilt/Virtual PC users have their own support group on Yahoo. It is a free email/forum group you can join. Check out their group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EQonMacs/. This group will provide an additional level of support to any quilters using, or considering using, Electric Quilt on a Mac with Virtual PC. The original Info-EQ list and EQ tech support are great primary resources, but sometimes it's also helpful to talk to other Mac users when questions arise.
I am buying a surprise gift and don't know much about your
software. Which one should I get?
Which software to buy depends on what your quilter enjoys doing. By far, Electric Quilt is our most full-featured sofware and the one which they will be the most happy with. Here is a list
of common quilting tasks and which softwares will do it.
What software do you suggest for new computer users?
Some of our software programs don't have all the bells and whistles of Electric Quilt,
but
fit
the needs of new computer users and will let them have fun while they "get their feet
wet" using software. Here are some ideas:
- Quilt Design Wizard: Perfect for: Someone who is afraid of computers, wants to try pieced blocks in straight or on-point settings, and wishes to play with color.
- BlockBase: Perfect for: Someone who doesn't want to design their own patterns, but can't get enough traditional pieced blocks. BlockBase will print patterns for 4000 blocks as templates, rotary cutting charts or foundation patterns in any size, and show how the block looks repeated in 4 rows of 4.
What do I need to get started?
If you want to start with Electric Quilt that's all you need. EQ7 comes with a CD, an EQ7
User Manual, and lots of help & tutorials inside the program. Learn more about EQ7.
How do I order off your website?
Click Products above. When you find an item you would like to order, click Add to Cart. A new
window will pop up showing your shopping basket. Choose either "Continue Shopping" or
"Proceed to Checkout." You can also check out by clicking on the top link in the
navigation at the right of this window. Enter your information on each screen until you are done. Print out the last page for your records.
If you entered an email address, you will receive an email when your credit card is processed (and also when your product is shipped if you chose a UPS shipping option).
Why is my basket empty even though I added products to my cart?
You
most likely have cookies disabled on your internet browser. Please refer to
this page for help
with your browser.
Do I need to buy EQ to run your other products?
There are only a few products which require EQ to run. They are listed on the EQ Add-ons page. Please refer to
the System Requirements no matter which software you choose. All other programs will stand
alone
as well
as work with
our EQ design software if you already own it.
I don't have an American Express, is that the only card type you accept?
You forgot to select your credit card type on the previous screen. Click
your browser's Back button and change the card type in the drop-down
box marked "Pay with."
How can I find technical support for my product?
All technical support is listed by product in the Support - Frequently Asked Questions section of our website. Here are some of the ways to get technical support:
- FAQ by Product- Find the answers to common questions on our website.
- Post Questions on the Forums- Join the forum by clicking register, then pick a forum and post your question.
- Send an Email to Tech Support- Email us at techsupport@electricquilt.com
- Send an Email with Tech Mail- Fill out the form and we get all the information we need to answer your question quickly.
- Call Tech Support- You can reach us at 419.352.1134, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern (Ohio time).
What is Info-EQ?
Info-EQ is a mail-list of about 5400 quilters who all use EQ software. It is
managed
by
Planet Patchwork, which has no affiliation with The Electric Quilt Company.They are sponsoring
this list as a service to EQ users who have
found it to be an indispensable (and
fun!) source
of information about EQ quilt design. Some EQ staff are guests
on the list just like you.
You can subscribe, unsubscribe, choose your mailing preferences, or even "no mail" and just read messages online.
To subscribe, please visit Planet Patchwork's website: http://planetpatchwork.com/mailinglists.htm
How do I get off Info-EQ?
Please remember Info-EQ is not managed by The Electric Quilt Company. It is a free service
from Planet Patchwork. The Electric Quilt Company is unable to add or remove people from
Info-EQ.
Check the bottom of the last email you received from Info-EQ. It says "For Info-EQ Archives, to change your e-mail address, change your subscription type, or unsubscribe:" followed by a link.
Click the link, log in, and click the "Leave(unsubscribe)" button
If you have difficulties beyond that, please contact the Planet Patchwork List Administrator.
How do I register my products online?
To register your products online, visit the Register
Online page. Enter your contact information and one registration,
then click Submit Registration. Repeat for any other products you wish to register.
The software box does not mention XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Will it work on my operating system?
All of our newer software will work on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, and the floppy disk version of BlockBase may install, but not print because XP no longer comes with drivers for DOS programs.
In general, please refer to the system requirements page for each product whenever you have questions on whether the program will run on your computer. That information is always the most up-to-date.
The software box does not mention Vista. Will it work on Vista?
All of our newer software will work on Windows Vista.
EQ1, EQ2, EQ3, and the floppy disk version of BlockBase may install, but not print because Vista no longer comes with drivers for DOS programs.
EQ4, Sew Precise 1&2, and Sew Precise 3 will install and let you print and design, but will give you an error message unless you download an update from Microsoft. Microsoft decided to no longer include the Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) with Vista that these programs use.
In general, please refer to the system requirements page for each product whenever you have questions on whether the program will run on your computer.
Can all your software be linked so I can use the other blocks and fabrics in EQ?
Yes, you can link our software to the main program Electric
Quilt. Read how to link other programs we make to EQ5. Read how to link other programs we make to EQ6.
How can I email a question to you?
You can email us anytime for help. Send a new email with your questions to either techsupport@electricquilt.com or customerservice@electricquilt.com, depending on who you need to receive your email. We generally try to answer email within 24 hours, except on weekends.
If you have a techsupport question, you can also try our Tech Mail section in Support. Many times we get techsupport emails where people don't tell us their operating system or which program they are using. Tech Mail is a helpful little form you can fill out so we get all the information we need to know to be able to answer your question on the first try.
How can I talk to a tech support person?
EQ Technical Support is available Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm Eastern. Please call 419.352.1134
to reach one of our friendly staff in Ohio. Feel free to call us as often as you need. We
want you to be happy with your purchase and understand how to use it.
Which designs are copyrighted and which are not?
Please refer to this list in our Support section of our website. This will answer all your copyright
questions.
I've designed a pattern with your software. Can I copyright
it?
If the blocks are of your own design (not copied from those of someone else) and the quilt setting is of your own design, then "Yes."
If you use blocks from one of our software programs, please double check the copyright page in the Support section of our website and/or call technical support for verification. EQ Technical Support is available Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm Eastern at 419.352.1134.
How can I sell your products from my store?
To sell Electric Quilt products from your store, we need you to fill out a Wholesale
Application form (PDF). Just fill it out and fax or mail it back to us.
I'm teaching a class on your software. Can I teach from lessons from your EQ companion books?
Teachers may use the information from the chapters of these books to verbally teach EQ, if they give credit to the author and book name and every student has purchased the book in question. Copyright law forbids teachers from reproducing any part of the printed material for distribution to students, whether photocopied or typed.
Avoid all copyright infringement by requiring the book in your "student supplies needed" section. In general, please refer to the copyright section of our website for answers on copyright questions.
How do I log into the Retailer section?
Usernames and Passwords for the Retailer section are supplied by our Sales department to retail customers who have filled out a Wholesale
Application form (PDF) with us. If we already have your information on file, please call or email Sales (1.800.356.4219 or sales@electricquilt.com) to get your log in information.
Why would I want a password to the Retailer section?
You would love the Retailer section for the wealth of information we have there for you. After you log in, you have access to store display ideas, product demo ideas, class & club ideas, quick projects, handouts from Quilt Market and more.
Can I order at wholesale prices online?
You can order online from your Retailer account. Please log in and fill out the order form on the Wholesale Pricing page.
I sell your products, but buy from a different distributor. How do I list my store on your website?
In order to be listed on our website, you must carry Electric Quilt products and need to be in our database listed as a store after filling out a Wholesale
Application form (PDF). Please contact Lu in our Sales department at 1.800.356.4219 or sales@electricquilt.com if your store is not listed.
Where can I find a distributor?
Check out our Distributor Directory.
Where can I find a teacher to do classes at my store?
Please call or email Technical Support (Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm Eastern at 419.352.1134) to see if we know a teacher in your area. You can also consult the Class Listing page to see if any of those teachers would be willing to travel to your store.
  |
||