Electric Quilt 8 project files

Open .PJ8 files online by importing them into QuiltLab

A .pj8 file is a project saved by Electric Quilt 8 (EQ8). It holds the project's fabrics, blocks and quilts. QuiltLab can import it, so you can work with those designs without EQ8.

Importing turns the file's fabrics, straight-edge pieced blocks and straight-set quilts into designs you can edit in your browser. It needs a QuiltLab account on the Maker plan.

Import a .pj8 file See plans and pricing

An import, not a viewer

QuiltLab does not show a .pj8 file without importing it. Importing creates editable swatches, blocks and quilts in your library, plus a contact-sheet Canvas that links everything from the file. Content QuiltLab cannot read is listed as skipped or failed so you know what to check.

What the importer brings across

  • Fabrics

    Each fabric image in the project becomes a private swatch, up to 256 per file. Swatches are numbered (EQ8 Fabric 001 and so on); EQ8's fabric names are not kept.

  • Pieced blocks

    Straight-edge blocks become editable blocks with every patch as its own shape. Patches painted with a project fabric show that fabric; solid patches keep EQ8's colour. Blocks keep their EQ8 names and arrive at 12 in.

  • Straight-set quilts

    Each horizontal (straight-set) quilt keeps its rows, columns, block size and block placements. Quilts are numbered (EQ8 Quilt 1 and so on).

  • Borders

    Each EQ8 border becomes its own border layer at its EQ8 width, in placeholder greys with square corners.

  • A contact-sheet Canvas

    One Canvas links everything from the file, and every item is tagged eq8-import plus the file name so the import can be found together.

What stays in EQ8

  • Curved piecing, applique and motifs

    Curved blocks, applique blocks and motifs are skipped, as are threads.

  • Other quilt layouts

    Strip and custom-set quilts are not imported. On-point and the remaining EQ8 layout styles have not been tested.

  • Border detail, sashing and cornerstones

    Border colours, fabrics, styles and blocks set into borders are not read. Sashing and cornerstones are not carried over.

  • Quilt-level colouring

    Blocks in an imported quilt show the block's own fabrics, not the fabrics assigned on the quilt in EQ8.

  • Layers 2 and 3

    Applique on the quilt, quilting stencils, embroidery, photos and text.

  • Names and notes

    Fabric names, quilt names and notecards.

  • EQ8 printouts

    Yardage, rotary cutting, templates and foundation patterns are not imported.

How to import a .pj8 file

  1. Sign in to QuiltLab on the Maker plan and open Import EQ8 file.
  2. Drop your .pj8 file on the page, or click to choose it. QuiltLab reads it and shows how many fabrics, blocks and quilts it found, with any warnings.
  3. Select Import EQ8 file. The file (up to 64 MB) is uploaded and your fabrics, blocks and quilts are saved to your personal library.
  4. Open the imported swatches, blocks, quilts or the contact-sheet Canvas from the links on the page, and check each design against EQ8.
  5. If an import stops partway, open it from Import runs, choose Resume and select the same file; designs already saved are not duplicated.

Limits and privacy

  • .pj8 files only, not earlier Electric Quilt formats.
  • Each file can be up to 64 MB. If a larger project will not import, email support@quiltlab.co.
  • Importing needs a QuiltLab account on the Maker plan. The Free plan does not include EQ8 import.
  • Your browser reads the file first and shows what it found. On import, the file is uploaded to private storage and decoded on QuiltLab's servers.
  • The original file is kept as a private source archive that only you can download or delete. It counts toward your storage.
  • The import is a starting point to review, not an exact copy. There is no export back to EQ8.

Frequently asked questions

What is a .PJ8 file?

A project file saved by Electric Quilt 8. Each file holds one EQ8 project, including its fabrics, blocks and quilts.

Can I open a .PJ8 file for free?

Not in QuiltLab: EQ8 import is part of the Maker plan. The Free plan does not include it.

Does QuiltLab open .PJ7 or other Electric Quilt files?

No. The importer accepts .pj8 files only, up to 64 MB each. If a larger project will not import, email support@quiltlab.co.

What happens to my file?

It is uploaded and decoded on QuiltLab's servers, and the original is kept as a private source archive that only you can download or delete. Fabric images stay private to your account.

What if the import stops partway?

Designs already saved stay in your library. Resume the run from the import page and select the same file; QuiltLab skips what it has already saved.