Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 1: Quilting Dot–to–DotMachine Quilting Dot–to–Dot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Free-Motion Popularity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chapter 2: Building BlocksChoosing Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Resizing Patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Marking Patterns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 3: Stepping StonesSteps to Free-Motion Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Stepping Stones Practice Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Using the Practice Sets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Exploring Pattern Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 4: Machine Quilting Allover DesignsPantographs/Edge–to–Edge Quilting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Quilting on a Quilting Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Chapter 5Borders, Corners & Sashing Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Blocks: Squares, Circles & Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Special Occasions: Juvenile & Holiday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Companion Sets: Matching Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Allover Designs: Edge-to-Edge Pantographs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86Multi–Line & Bonus Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Spotlight on QuiltingClass Ideas & Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

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Contents

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Machine Quilting Dot-to-DotThe Quilting Dot-to-Dot technique is an easy to understand method of learningand/or teaching machine quilting that guides quilters through a series of step-ping stones towards free-motion quilting confidence.

This quilting technique works on the same principle of the Dot-to-Dot coloringbooks enjoyed by children and adults alike. In the example below, it is not necessarythat you know how to draw a turtle—you just need to get from one dot to the nextin the right order to create your masterpiece.

Machine Quilting Dot-to-Dot works on the same principle. It divides quilting pat-terns into small sections of stitching, identifies recurring shapes in the pattern, andallows the quilter to focus on stitching just one part of the design at a time.

Notice the stitching paths between the dots are either straight lines or curved linesof varying arcs that flow in different directions. These are the basic shapes that canbe practiced using my Stepping Stones to success (chapter 3, page 11), helping youto learn at your own pace and become confident with free-motion quilting.

Eventually your eye will be trained to automatically break quilting patterns intosections and recognize the basic shapes that make up your chosen pattern. You willgain confidence the more you use this technique, and dividing any quilting patterninto stitchable shapes will become second nature.

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Chapter 1: Quilting Dot-to-Dot

Dot-to-Dot❍ Dots divide the stitching path into the basic shapes which

can be practiced and stitched as quilting patterns, improvingyour machine quilting.

❍ Dots help identify recurring shapes and design elementswhen selecting and auditioning coordinating patterns.

❍ Dots remain consistent on patterns of all sizes or when the basicshapes flow in different directions along the stitching path.

❍ Dots create a focus point for your eyes to move towards,and a target for your needle to reach as you are stitching.

❍ Dots can serve as a place to stop, rest, breathe, stretch,change direction, adjust the placement of your hands,and check your progress.

Old-fashioned children’s book version of drawing

A new way to quilt shapes by following the dots

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Free-Motion PopularityThe popularity of free-motion quilting has grown to new heights, resulting in tech-niques, products, and equipment all focused on making quilting the quilt easierfor every quilter to accomplish. The unique effects that can be created with plan-ning and auditioning—everything from thread, batting, and quilting designs—have increased the level of recognition of quilting to an admired area of artisticexpression, and not just an afterthought to quickly finish the project.

Redefining Free-Motion QuiltingThe definition of free-motion quilting has expanded in part because of the grow-ing selection of sewing machines, home quilting frames, shortarm, and longarmmachines. All require the quilter to use free-motion quilting techniques. Free-motion quilting is now defined in two ways:

1. Quilting stitched by moving the fabric freely in all directions under the needle of any size or type of sewing machine

2. Quilting stitched by freely moving the machine over the surface of the fabric by means of any home frame or professional quilting system

Identifying the Building Blocks of Quilting The three building blocks of machine quilting represent the steps that should beconsidered as you plan, stitch, and transform your quilt top to a completed quilt.The building blocks remain the same for all free-motion quilters no matter whattype of machine, frame, or system you are quilting with.

Building Blocks

❍ Choosing Designs . . .Selecting, sizing, and placing the quilting patterns

❍ Marking Patterns . . .Transferring the quilting pattern to the fabric

❍ Free-Motion Quilting . . .Quilting the stitching path of the chosen pattern

The typical quilter has a “stash” of quilt tops painstakingly pieced,lovingly admired, then gently folded up and stored away. It’s timeto unfold those quilt tops, select the perfect quilting design, andquilt them into finished quilts. Let Quilting Dot-to-Dot: Patterns forToday’s Machine Quilter be your guide to releasing your personalstyle of creative free-motion quilting.

Quilting Dot-to-Dot is for everyone who ever thought, “I’m afraidto try machine quilting . . . I can’t stay on the line,” or “I’m a newquilter and I can’t even stipple!”

Quilting Dot-to-Dot

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Choosing DesignsBy the time a quilt top is completed you have invested time choosing the patternand auditioning a variety of fabrics, making sure the combination of colors, lights,darks, solids, or prints is just right. This planning time insures you will be pleasedwith your quilt top when it is finished. The next step in the quilting process is toinvest time studying your quilt top and exploring your quilting pattern options.Find a convenient place to hang the completed top or spread it out on a flat sur-face where you can look at it from different angles over a period of several days.Selecting quilting patterns and their placement on the quilt top can become a funand exciting creative outlet when you see the end results and enjoy the process.

Identify Shapes and SizesBegin by identifying the traditional areas to be quilted. Include blocks, borders,sashings, and setting squares/triangles. Trace these areas onto see-through trac-ing paper or Golden Threads Quilting Paper (see page 110), and pin on the quilttop. Look for unusual shapes and patterns that will fill the outlined area. Createnew areas by adding two or more small sections together or dividing a large oneinto smaller spaces. For quilting pattern ideas, start by collecting clues from thequilt top and the finished quilt.

Tips from the Top • Is the piecing pattern traditional/contemporary or geometric? • Does the fabric have a theme or is it seasonal, juvenile, or elegant?• Will the quilting be the focus or add background texture/movement?• Is it a scrap quilt, art quilt, heirloom, folk art, or historic quilt?• Was the top made following the rules for a contest or challenge?

Consider the Finished Quilt• Is the quilt a gift and, if so, what are the recipient’s interests?• Was the top made for a birthday, anniversary, or other occasion?• Will it be used as a wallhanging, bed quilt, or baby quilt?• What thickness and type of batting will be used?• Is there a deadline for finishing the quilt or time for extra quilting?

Chapter 2: Building Blocks

The small and large block choices are easy to visualize. Consider placing designs to highlight the diagonallayout of the pieced blocks.

Often the same quilt top offers the choice of traditional or irregular-shaped areas. Can you see any moreoptions? Can a large area be divided into smaller sections?

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• How much machine quilting experience do you have?Now that you have collected clues from your quilt top, have fun and flipthrough the following pages marking the patterns you wish to audition. Audi-tioning a pattern is as simple as copying it on Golden Threads Quilting Paperand pinning it over the area where it will be quilted. It is best to audition a vari-ety of patterns before making your final decision. Below is a list of questions toask about each of your design choices before you begin quilting:

• Is the pattern sized properly for the area to be quilted?• Will the pattern(s) evenly distribute the quilting over the quilt top?• Can one pattern be repeated in different areas or be divided to create smaller

patterns adding design consistency?• Do the designs complement the quilt top, adding visual interest and/or contrast?• Can secondary patterns be created by placing repeats of the same block or bor-

der patterns next to each other?

The patterns in this book have been marked with colored icons that can help youselect patterns that coordinate the theme, category, or style of your quilt top. Mostpatterns fall into more than one category, which expands your options whenchoosing quilting designs. Have fun, experiment, and get creative!

Chapter 2: Building Blocks

Quilting the small blocks highlights the sashing and cornerstone areas. The larger block patternscreate a secondary design when placed side-by-side. This same example also auditions an edge-to-edge quilting design.

Geometric

Traditional

Elegant

Masculine

JuvenileFolk Art

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TTraditional

EElegant

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MMasculine

The two thin borders can be quilted separately or as one wide border. Notice the interesting optionsfor block shapes and/or repeating shapes into one of the borders.

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2¹⁄₂"

FFolk Art

JJuvenile

TTraditional

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5"

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CHAPTER 5 Special Occasions: Juvenile & Holiday

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EElegant

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TTraditional

CHAPTER 5Multi-Line & Bonus Patterns

EElegant

MMasculine

TTraditional

Secondary Design

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