how to choose quilt design software

Let’s open up a GIANT cans of worms with this Tech Tuesday instalment: design software

If you’ve been quilting for a while, you’ve likely come across different softwares people use in their quilt designing process. Adobe Illustrator, EQ8, Affinity Designer, Inkscape, Powerpoint, Canva…

First up…

Why do we need it?

Ain’t a good ol’ back of the envelope and a pencil enough?

Don’t get me wrong, I love to start designing analogue with quick sketches, or doodles. But then…

I use design software to help me rapidly iterate designs, ideate, calculate dimensions for components in my quilts, work out my fabric requirements, and create different colourways before I commit to cutting the actual fabric.

This is true of my own projects as well as the quilt patterns I create.

Yes, we can use grid paper, but this doesn’t mean we have to.

I don’t know about you but… colouring in a bunch of grid squares gets old after about square 3…

And if I want to change something, then this method gets real slow, real fast.

👉 Enter: design software.

I’ll talk about the software I use, but before we get there I thought it would be useful to give you a guideline on what to look for when choosing the right design software for you.

As a recovering engineer, I am always thinking about systems – not a one off, but how this can help me the next time around as well.

Thinking big about what goes into a decision like ‘which design software I should choose’? is going to serve me not once but over and again.

So here goes:

How to choose design software:

We are HUMAN, so we are always looking for answers to these questions:

• Does it make my job easier?
• Does it save me time?
• Will this bring me joy/satisfaction/fulfilment?

and

• Is it in my budget?

These are great universal questions to do a high level check on whether or not you NEED design software, and what problem it is going to solve for you.

Here are some more specific questions to ask before jumping into a specific software:

• Do I have the skills to use this tech?

If no, are there ample resources available to learn them (help community, large user base, courses widely available, etc). Those ‘unknown’ softwares? They normally mean far less help resources available to you which means more time googling or trial and error, and less time designing and getting the outcomes you want.

• What is the maximum potential of learning this tech?

Will it bring in money? Does it open up other opportunities for me? Is it limited to a single use case? Is there room to grow into this software as my skills improve?

What software do I use to design quilts and create quilt patterns?

I use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Indesign.

Here’s why:

• It’s an industry standard software – which means if someone is looking for skills in design, beyond quilt design (ghost writing, quilt patterns, tech editing, logo design, surface design…) etc, I am eligible. – this software opens up opportunities for me beyond just designing quilts.

• It’s the right tool for the job – I’m not going to waste time trying to design in Canva, or Powerpoint, or whatever other tool that is not right for the job . Not only does this take more time, in the end the outcome can be less than the professional type of product that I want.

• I’m worth it. I am a designer, I am professional and I treat myself as a professional. If you don’t treat yourself as the professional you’d like others to see you as, who will?

If you’re struggling with the idea that this (or any) software is ‘too expensive’:

What are you evaluating here? Are you and your designs worth spending money to develop?

Is your time (our most precious resource) worth investing in learning the right tool for the job and spending that time well?

Shortcuts cost money and time in the long run.

This is an investment in your future as a creative – whether that’s as a designer who goes on to sell their quilt patterns, or finished quilts, or as the creator of an heirloom quilt that gets passed through your family for generations as your legacy…

Investing in your skills is ALWAYS a good investment.

If you’ve been burnt before and thought, well I never ended up using XYZ after I bought it, I would challenge you to look beyond that.

You likely learnt skills that you unknowingly use in different aspects of your life

At the very least you upped your discernment game and know what will and won’t work for you in the future.

BOTTOM LINE:

• Choose the right tool for the job
• Test drive the tools before you dive in
• Make sure the tool fits with what your current and near future use cases might be.
• Make sure there are ample resources available to learn from.
• Invest in yourself and your skills.

LEAVE A COMMENT and let me know…

Do you use software in your design/quilting/creative work?

👉 If not, why not?

👉 If yes, what software do you use and how do you use it?