Best Quilt Making Software: Top 6 Tools to Choose From
Top quilt-making software includes Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8) for comprehensive design and yardage calculations, and PreQuilt for web-based, user-friendly visualization. Other popular options include QuiltAssistant (free, photo-to-pattern), YouPatch (pixel quilts), and CINCHQuilt (automatic resizing). These tools allow for, fabric, block, and layout auditioning.
I dug into the data, user reviews, and pricing for the top 6 tools to help you decide. I didn’t just look at the features; I looked at what real quilters (like us) are actually using right now.
Here is the honest, no-spin breakdown of Quilt Making Software in 2025.
1. Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8)
Let’s get the heavy hitter out of the way. If you have been quilting for more than five minutes, you’ve heard of Electric Quilt. EQ8 is the “Photoshop” of quilt design.
The Data Behind the Hype
Don’t just take my word for it. According to a review from Boekhandel Donner, a long-time quilter noted, “Honestly EQ8 has blown me away… The serendipity tool that lets you merge blocks together, tilt them, frame them, create kaleidoscopes… I feel like years down the line you would still be discovering cool new things.”
Pricing & Verdict
Retail sits around $239.95. You can often find a free trial to see if your computer can handle it. It is feature-rich, but there is a learning curve. If you are a professional pattern designer, this is non-negotiable software. If you are a casual Sunday sewer, it might be “too much” tool.
2. PreQuilt
I have a soft spot for PreQuilt because it respects my impatience. You don’t download anything. You open a browser, snap a photo of your fabric stash with your phone, and boom—you are designing.
Why It Feels Different
PreQuilt focuses heavily on “stash management.” You can photograph your actual fabric (you know, the wrinkles and all) and see exactly how it looks as a fat quarter. A reviewer on Amazon specifically loved “the fun of it for project planning being able to add photo prints of designs or patterns” because it acts as a visual reminder of your goal.
PreQuilt works on a subscription model (generally under 10/monthor50/year) with a very generous free tier. If you hate installing desktop apps, start here.
3. Quiltography
Quiltography is your best friend if you live on your iPad. It is specifically designed for Apple users (sorry Android friends).
Precision Meets Portability
One of the highest-rated mobile tools in this space, Quiltography allows for “paper piecing” design on the go. A source from Hohpa Concepts highlights its utility: “You can photograph your own stash to use in your designs, it includes over 180 block templates, yardage calculator, design pixel quilts, and more.”
Verdict
It’s usually a one-time purchase (under $20 depending on your region). It is less clunky than EQ8 but more powerful than a generic drawing app. I use this when I’m waiting at the dentist and get a sudden urge to redo my guest bedroom.
4. My Quilt Planner
Don’t let the older website design fool you. This software is from OESD, a huge name in the embroidery digitizing world. Because of that, it bridges the gap between standard quilting and embroidery machines.
Best for Machine Embroiderers
If you have a combination sewing/embroidery machine, you need a tool that speaks that language. My Quilt Planner allows you to place embroidery designs directly onto your quilt blocks before you sew. It saves you from that horrible moment when you stitch a beautiful block only to realize your embroidery hoop won’t fit in the corner.
Cost
Pricing fluctuates, but it generally sits in the “mid-range” (50−100) often bundled with embroidery packs. It’s not as famous as EQ8, but for machine artists, it’s a hidden gem.
If you watch quilting shows (like Fons & Porter), you know Alex Anderson. She partnered with Quilters Select to make this software. It’s designed to feel less like coding and more like drawing.
The “Long Arm” Bonus
One unique data point here is the price fluctuation. Retail is high (often near 799.99∗∗onsomesites)butIfounditonsaleat∗∗Moore’sSewingfor799.99∗∗onsomesites)butIfounditonsaleat∗∗Moore’sSewingfor199.00. That’s a massive swing, so shop carefully.
However, the standout feature is the Longarm Quilting tool. It allows you to design edge-to-edge patterns for robotic long arm machines. If you own a long arm, this saves you hundreds of dollars in digitizing fees. “Design N Quilt makes it easy to add embroidery text and personalize your quilt blocks or labels.”
Verdict
Wait for a sale. Never pay full retail for this one. But if you get it for under $200, it’s a steal for the longarm features alone.
6. Quilt Assistant
I saved this one for the scrappy quilters. Quilt Assistant has been around forever. The interface looks like it was built for Windows 98, but don’t judge a book by its cover.
The Price is Right
Quilt Assistant is largely free or donation-ware. While many paid apps hide “yardage calculations” behind paywalls, Quilt Assistant gives you the math upfront. A software roundup from NewsBytes notes the trend of moving toward “generative AI” in new tools , but Quilt Assistant bucks that trend by sticking to pure, logical, manual grid math.
Is it worth it?
If you are broke (quilters, we all have been there after a fabric store run) or just want to test if digital design is for you, download Quilt Assistant. It prints templates, it does the math, and it costs zero dollars. The learning curve is steep, but the community forums are helpful.
If you want the industry standard, get EQ8. It is expensive, but it holds its resale value and does everything.
If you want instant gratification, get PreQuilt. I love that I can use it on my work computer during my lunch break without IT knowing.
If you have an iPad, get Quiltography. It feels natural to touch and drag fabric around.
Quilting technology has exploded in the last few years. Gone are the days of guessing how many yards of binding you need. These six tools remove the anxiety and leave you with just the joy of sewing. Pick the one that fits your budget, watch a YouTube tutorial for ten minutes, and start playing. Your fabric stash will thank you.
