PREMIER+ ECQ software to spark your creativity – embroider, cut, quilt!

Welcome back!

This week, I’m sharing something a little different with you. There’s no sewing machine or serger. No – I’m taking a look at a new software package. I’m very excited about it and can’t wait to share it with you.

The software is from the creators of the PREMIER+ Embroidery System. It’s a stand-alone software that does different things than the three levels of the PREMIER+ Embroidery System. While you can create embroidery files in ECQ, it also does more.

It’s called PREMIER+ ECQ. The ECQ stands for Embroidery, Cut, Quilt. Some people might describe PREMIER+ ECQ software as a drawing tool. To be honest, that term scares me a bit because I’m not as good with a pencil as I’d like to be. If I had to draw people, they would look like stick people. So with an open mind, I sat down and explored the software and I think I have a better way to describe it.

So how would I describe it?

Imagine a tool that offers multiple (and easy) ways of getting a design on the blank canvas. Once the design is on the canvas, I can export the design in different file formats.

Embroidery files can be exported in three different formats, including machine embroidery with fills, machine embroidery applique, and embroidery outlines. I can also export files that can be loaded into a long arm computer (yes!), and files that can be used with a digital cutter.

That’s a lot that can be done with this basic design tool.

It’s super easy to get the software.

Simply find your nearest Husqvarna Viking dealer and purchase the software. You’ll get an activation code to enable you to download the software from the website.

So once you decide you want it – you can have it as quickly as you can get to your local dealer.

The software is available for PC or MAC, with four different language options for both platforms. The system requirements and other details can be found here.

If you’re like me, new software can be intimidating and you end up using only a small portion of the software offerings. I decided to dive right in and see how easily I could learn this software.

The first thing to do was to download the Reference Guide. It’s available as a .pdf so it was easy to download to my tablet. One less book to lose in my studio and one less book to carry if I travel. You can always print the Reference Guide out if you want, but thankfully, I’m over the need to have paper manuals.

The Reference Guide is only 112 pages. That’s easy enough to get through. Read a chapter at a time in front of the software and experiment.

There’s also another great way to learn the software. In each of the sections on the screen, there’s a little question mark. If you don’t know how to use a tool, click on the question mark and you are directed to an online version of the Reference Guide. I used this option frequently as I worked my way through the software. It was so easy to use. Extremely intuitive and saved time from having to look up the name of the tool in the Reference Guide.

The links to the online Reference Guide are highlighted by the red circles in the photo above. I don’t think I circled them all. Needless to say, help is right there if you need it. It doesn’t get any easier.

And if that isn’t enough to help you learn, there are some educational videos and inspirational videos, along with tips and some sample files on the website.

All of that makes this program super easy to learn.

This is a shortlist of some of the amazing features included in the PREMIER+ ECQ software.

• Fast options to get artwork on the canvas.
• Trace over existing artwork.
• Download files (always mindful of copyright).
• Easily create designs using industry-standard drawing tools.
• Great tools for creating mandalas.
• Insert built-in designs, which you can modify to suit your needs.
• Insert TrueType font and OpenType font lettering.
• Zoom in capabilities to tweak your design.
• Export multiple file formats.
• Excellent online reference help.

Should you rush out and buy PREMIER+ ECQ software? The answer is yes. Here are some guidelines to help you with your decision.

• The software is easy to use.
• It’s affordable if you’re new to the world of machine embroidery and you want to play with creating embroidery designs, but without the high cost of dedicated embroidery software systems.
• If you’re a crafter with an embroidery machine and a digital cutter, ECQ can help create projects using the two tools.

I know you want to see stitch outs but bear with me this week as I show you how easy it is to create the files I’ll be stitching out later this week. It’s worth the wait.

I’ll start by showing you how easy it is to get your artwork onto the software canvas. Then, I’ll be showing you what it looks like when I stitch it out or cut it out or quilt it out!

It’s going to be an awesome week. I’ll be using a variety of machines to demonstrate the output files of the software including the Husqvarna Viking DESIGNER Epic 2.

Have a great day!

Ciao!