EQ6, or Electric Quilt 6, is a very popular state-of-the-art quilt design software package.  It will allow you to design your own blocks and quilts, showing yardage, templates, rotary cutting instructions, foundation piecing diagrams (where applicable), and so much more!

Part of the package includes the ability to export and import projects.  This means that you can design a block, or a complete quilt, on EQ6, and send it to another EQ6 user.  They can then open the file, and can print off their own templates (or whatever is applicable for that design).  They can also re-size the block or quilt to suit their needs, import their own fabrics or colours to see the quilt how they want it, and use all the other features of EQ6.

Now, exclusively to ecraftpatterns (as far as we know!!), you can buy and sell your EQ6 projects online (and yes, we have permission from the EQ company to do this).

Information for buyers

It is important to note that you MUST have EQ6 on your computer in order to be able to use these files.  They won't work with EQ5 (or earlier).  Nor will they work with Quilt Design Wizard or any of the other EQ packages, unless you have EQ6.  EQ6 is widely available online, including from Gecko Gully.  If you have EQ5, you can buy an upgrade to EQ6, also from Gecko Gully.

It is also important to note that with these files you won't get the actual instructions for how to make the quilt.  You only get the design.  If you are not familiar with EQ6, it is recommended that you use it before you buy any of the downloadable projects, so that you understand what you are likely to get from our designers.  If you need any help learning to use EQ6, there are EQ6 books available from Gecko Gully.

When you buy a project file from this site, you will receive an email with a download link.  Click on that link, and the file will download onto your computer into the folder you specify.  If you need help to open the project in EQ6, please refer to page 113 of the EQ6 User Manual (the red book you got with your EQ6 software).

Information for designers

If you have designed a block or quilt on EQ6 that you are really proud of, and you want to share it with the world, you could sell it here!

There are a few things you need to know.  First, and most importantly, you will not be allowed to sell anything that includes any copyrighted elements.  This includes both using other people's designs, as well as using anything within any of the EQ products that are covered by a copyright.  For more information on copyright on EQ products, please refer to the EQ Copyright Page. 

If we, or any other person, think you have used a copyrighted element or design in your product, the product will be removed from sale while we investigate.  Repeated mis-use of copyright will result in your designs being banned from our site.

But back to more pleasant matters!  Obviously if you are designing quilts or blocks with EQ6, you will be familiar with using EQ6.  But if you need any help, or would like to know more advanced techniques, there are excellent books available from Gecko Gully.

When you have completed your design, you will find instructions on how to prepare the file for email pages 114 to 115 of the EQ6 User Manual (the red book you got with your EQ6 software).  This is the same procedure (including the compressing) that you should follow to prepare your file for upload here.

Next, create a good picture (or more than one if you like) of your design.  You will find information on how to do this on pages 288 and 289 of the EQ6 User Manual.  It is recommended you use .gif format, make it no wider than 5 inches (about 13 cm), and choose low resolution.

If you haven't done so already, you will need to Register as a Designer for ecraftpatterns and become familiar with the Designer Training Manual.

Then you can add your products!  A price range is not normally recommended for products here, but to keep these affordable (and popular!), I am recommending that blocks are priced in the range of 10 cents to 50 cents each, and quilts are from $1.00 to $5.00 each (all prices in $Australian).  This might not seem like much, but when you consider that the sales potential is unlimited, you could earn well from the total sales.  It is also recommended that you add at least one block and/or quilt that is free, to show potential buyers what you can do.

If you want to, you could also create a "real" pattern for your design, giving the instructions for how to make it.  This should be sold as a separate product, so that people who don't have EQ6 can also make your design.  Note that you will need to include all the templates (or whatever is needed) in the pattern, and don't assume that buyers have the EQ6 file as well.  It is strongly recommended that you actually make the quilt (preferably by following your own instructions), to make sure you have it right.  Don't rely on being able to simply describe how you might make it!

That's it!  Let's fill this site with beautiful blocks and quilts!  You never know, there might be another Karen K. Stone or Margaret J. Miller just waiting to burst out and take the EQ design world by storm!

If you have any questions about this, you can of course contact me.

Have fun!

Christine.