File Formats & Downloads
What quilting file formats are included in every download?
Every pattern download includes all of the following quilting formats at no extra charge:
BQM, CQP, DXF, HQF, IQP, PAT, PLT, QCC, QLI, SSD, TXT, and WMF.
These cover all major computerized long-arm systems, including Statler, IntelliQuilter, CompuQuilter, HandiQuilter, Innova, APQS, Grace Q'nique, and more. Not sure if your machine is compatible? Visit our Machine Compatibility page for a full breakdown by system.
Note on BQM files: We acquired the software to create BQM files a few years ago, so some older patterns may not include them in the download folder. Just send us a quick email and we will always make one for you!
How do I download my patterns after purchase?
You can download your patterns two ways:
- From your invoice email: Find the order confirmation email, click the blue download link next to each pattern name, and save the .zip file. Right-click the zip file and choose Extract All to unzip it. Then copy the file format you need to your flash drive.
- From your account: Log into your account on our website, go to your order history, and click the download link from there.
If you have any trouble, just send us an email and we'll attach your files directly.
What if I have a Mac and I am having trouble with the download file?
We have found that occasionally Mac computers take exception to our zipped files. Please send us an email remind us of your file format, and we will email you patterns directly, without compression.
I've reached my download limit — can I still get my files?
Yes, absolutely! The website allows up to five downloads of each pattern automatically, but please don't worry — even if the count reaches zero, we will always provide a fresh download for you. Just send us an email and we'll take care of it right away.
My computer crashed and I just lost everything, what do I do?
First, don’t panic! We will send you a new copy of every pattern you have purchased from us, even if you have hundreds of orders spanning many years. There is no additional cost, once you purchase a pattern from us, it is yours for life.
I placed an order as a guest — how do I find it?
Guest orders don't automatically appear in your account, but we can add them for you! Just send us an email with the email address you used when you placed the order, and we'll merge everything together and send you new invoice emails, if needed. It also helps to log in before you browse, so the website knows it's you and can catch any duplicate purchases.
I purchased the same pattern twice — what should I do?
Send us an email and we'll make it right! We can either apply store credit to your account so you can choose a replacement pattern, or issue a refund back to your original payment method — whichever you prefer. To avoid this in the future, make sure you're logged into your account before you start browsing, so the website can recognize you and flag patterns you already own.
Can I request a free copy to test before I buy?
Absolutely! Download our free patterns — it's a great way to try us out before making a purchase.
Embroidery Files
Do you offer embroidery file formats like PES or JEF?
Yes! We can create embroidery files in the following formats:
DST, EXP, HUS, JEF, PCS, PES, SEW, SHV, VIP, VP3, and XXX.
Embroidery files are not included in the automatic download because they need to be sized to your specific hoop. They are available at no additional cost — just send us a follow-up email (or leave a note in your order comments) with your hoop size and the format you need, and we'll prepare the files and send them to you directly.
One thing to keep in mind: many of our long-arm patterns are quite large. If you need to scale them down significantly to fit a small hoop, very tiny designs can make quilted fabric stiff. Patterns from our 10 inches or smaller category are a great starting point for embroidery use.
Reward Stitches Program
How do I earn Stitches reward points?
- Creating an account — 10 stitches
- Every dollar spent on patterns — 1 stitch per dollar
- Writing a review — 10 stitches
- Emailing us a picture of a finished quilt, or attach a picture to a review — 10 stitches
- Liking or sharing on Facebook — 10 stitches
- Birthday bonus (just month and day, no year ?) — 140 stitches
- Referring a friend (new customer) — 140 stitches
Your referred friend also receives a 25% off coupon for their first purchase!
How do I redeem my Stitches for store credit?
- Log into the website.
- Click the green Rewards Program tab in the bottom-right corner of the page.
- Click Your rewards and choose the redemption level you want.
- Store credit is applied to your account immediately.
- Repeat until you've redeemed all the points you want.
Tip: Some browsers don't display the rewards tab — if you can't see it, try a different browser. Or just send us an email and we can redeem the points for you manually!
How do I refer a friend?
- Log into your account and click the green Rewards Program tab.
- Scroll to the Refer your friends section and copy your unique referral link.
- Send the link to your friend — when they place their first order, you earn 140 stitches and they receive a 25% off coupon.
Alternatively, ask your friend to simply drop your name in the order comments on their first purchase, and we'll take care of the points from our end!
Machine Troubleshooting
I'm having skipped stitches or thread breaks — is it the pattern?
Thread breaks and skipped stitches are almost always a machine or setup issue rather than a pattern issue. All of our patterns are thoroughly beta-tested by a group of over twenty quilters using a variety of long-arm systems before they are released.
Common causes to check:
- Needle: A dull needle or one that isn't seated correctly is the most frequent cause. Try a fresh needle first.
- Timing: If your machine's timing is off, it can cause skipped stitches — a technician can reset it.
- Lint buildup: Check your bobbin race and bobbin case for lint. Run a business card along the edge of the bobbin flange to check for thread debris.
- Tension: Backing that is too tight or top tension that has gotten off can both cause issues — try loosening the backing a notch or two.
- Fabric: Batiks and densely woven fabrics require looser tension settings.
If you've checked all of the above and still believe the pattern is the cause, please reach out to us and we'll help.
I'm getting an error message or the pattern won't load correctly in my software.
This depends on your software — email us and describe what you're seeing. For common issues we have detailed workarounds for IntelliQuilter, HandiQuilter, Statler/Creative Studio, Grace Q'nique with QCT, and Innova AutoPilot users. We'll match you to the right information as quickly as we can.
Pattern Questions
What is the difference between a "pantograph" and an "edge-to-edge" (E2E)?
There is no meaningful difference — they are the same type of pattern. Both quilt a design from left to right, row after row, covering the whole quilt. The word "pantograph" originally referred to the paper rolls used by hand-guided quilters; "edge-to-edge" became the common term for the same pattern used on computerized systems. We use both terms on the website, so feel free to purchase anything labeled either way!
What does "row nesting" mean?
Row nesting means the rows of the pattern should be moved closer together (using negative spacing in your software) so the design tiles seamlessly without visible gaps. When a pattern requires nesting, you'll need to adjust the row spacing before stitching.
Example nested pattern: Plaid Edge-to-Edge
Example non-nested pattern: Always Splendid Butterflies
What does "over-stitching" mean?
Over-stitching is when the pattern backtracks over itself to create more detailed designs — feather patterns are a good example. When a pattern has no over-stitching, the needle never stitches over the same path twice (though lines can still intersect).
If you're using a variegated thread, patterns without over-stitching are generally a better choice. Patterns without over-stitching also tend to use less thread overall.
Example with over-stitching: Fabulous Feathers
Example without: Amorette Edge-to-Edge
Can I resize your patterns?
Yes! All of our patterns can be scaled up or down. A few things to keep in mind:
- When scaling down, increase your stitches per inch so the design stays crisp.
- Very small sizes can make quilted fabric stiff from the density of stitching — use good judgment for your project.
- Scaling up is generally fine with most batting types.
Quilters have used our patterns successfully at many different sizes, and we encourage you to experiment!
Can I use your patterns on quilts I sell or finish for customers?
Yes — when you purchase a pattern, it's licensed for your own use, which includes finishing quilt tops you choose to sell and finishing quilt tops for your customers. You may stitch it out as many times as you like. The one restriction is that you cannot share or resell the digital pattern file itself.
If you'd like to display our patterns on your studio website to show your customers what you offer, that's perfectly fine as long as you give us credit for the design.
Custom Work & Special Requests
Can you design a custom pattern for me?
We do take custom work when our schedule allows! My Creative Stitches is a small mother-daughter business, so large custom projects depend on our current workload. For a custom pattern, we typically charge flat $40 custom design fee. Send us your idea and any pictures, and we'll let you know if we can take it on.
If we don't have availability, we may be able to suggest a small modification to an existing pattern, which is something we're always happy to discuss.
Do you sell printed paper roll patterns?
We are currently digital-only. We have a partnership with Urban Elementz to print some of our edge-to-edge patterns, which may be found here: Urban Elementz. Please be aware that My Creative Stitches and Urban Elementz have completely independent pricing.
I'm looking for a pattern you don't carry — can you suggest other designers?
Of course! A few of our favorite fellow designers:
- Anne Bright Designs
- Intelligent Quilting
- Urban Elementz
- MK Quilts (also a great resource for HandiQuilter users)
Newsletter & Account
How do I sign up for your newsletter?
You can sign up at our newsletter sign-up page.
After you sign up, watch for a confirmation email from Constant Contact and click the opt-in link — we can't add you without that step due to our privacy settings. If you don't see the confirmation email, check your spam folder and let us know.
I'm getting "abandoned cart" emails — do I need to respond?
No action needed! These are automatically generated by the website when a pattern is left in your cart. They don't come from a real person, so feel free to ignore them if you're not interested.
My prices are showing in US dollars — do you sell internationally?
Yes, we ship patterns to customers worldwide (our patterns are digital downloads, so there's nothing to ship!). All prices are in US dollars. PayPal, Square, and Amazon Pay handle the currency conversion automatically at checkout — we don't store or control any payment information on our end. You can also change the currency display on the website to see approximate local pricing.
Still have a question? Email us at christy@mycreativestitches.net or call 540-837-3046 (10am–6pm Eastern). Happy quilting!