Ready to try computerized quilting in the hoop but unsure which design format to use?

While embroidery designs and quilt designs may sometimes look similar, they are created very differently and choosing the right format can make a big difference in your finished quilting.

01. Embroidery Designs vs. Quilt Designs

An embroidery design may include satin stitches, fill stitches, multiple colors, and other decorative stitch types.

A quilt design is much simpler. It is created from a continuous line of straight stitches without jump stitches.

Not only are embroidery and quilt designs created differently, but they are also available in different file formats.

For BERNINA embroidery, the recommended embroidery format is EXP. However, for Computerized Quilting in the Hoop, certain BERNINA models can also read BQM, the quilt-design format used for BERNINA longarm machines.

02. Why Choose BQM for Quilting?

BQM format designs offer several advantages when Computerized Quilting in the Hoop.

They can be resized and morphed, giving you more freedom to fit the design into your quilting space. You can also select the stitches per inch, creating a consistent quilt stitch throughout the design.

BQM designs also give you control over securing stitches. You can choose no securing stitches and bury your thread tails manually or automatically add four tiny securing stitches at the beginning and end.

03. What About EXP Designs?

An EXP format design can still be used, but it has more limitations.

Resizing is generally limited to approximately 20% larger or smaller. Stitch length may vary throughout the design, and the design may have been digitized with a single, double, or even triple stitch.

Securing stitches are also typically built into the design, so their appearance depends on how the original design was digitized.

04. The Best Choice for Computerized Quilting in the Hoop

If your BERNINA model supports BQM format designs, choose the BQM format whenever possible for computerized quilting in the hoop. You’ll have greater control over your design and stitch quality for a more professional quilting result.    

When you use a BQM format design, you can:

• Resize and morph the design
• Maintain a consistent stitch length
• Choose your stitches per inch
• Control how securing stitches are created