Contents. Introduction... 4 Chapter 1: Quilting Dot to Dot Machine Quilting Dot to Dot... 5 Free-Motion Popularity... 6

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1 Contents Introduction Chapter 1: Quilting Dot to Dot Machine Quilting Dot to Dot Free-Motion Popularity Chapter 2: Building Blocks Choosing Designs Resizing Patterns Marking Patterns Chapter 3: Stepping Stones Steps to Free-Motion Success Stepping Stones Practice Sets Using the Practice Sets Exploring Pattern Choices Chapter 4: Machine Quilting Allover Designs Pantographs/Edge to Edge Quilting Quilting on a Quilting Frame Chapter 5 Borders, Corners & Sashing Sets Blocks: Squares, Circles & Frames Special Occasions: Juvenile & Holiday Companion Sets: Matching Elements Allover Designs: Edge-to-Edge Pantographs Multi Line & Bonus Patterns Spotlight on Quilting Class Ideas & Special Events About the Author Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot 3

2 Chapter 1: Quilting Dot-to-Dot Machine Quilting Dot-to-Dot The Quilting Dot-to-Dot technique is an easy to understand method of learning and/or teaching machine quilting that guides quilters through a series of stepping stones towards free-motion quilting confidence. This quilting technique works on the same principle of the Dot-to-Dot coloring books enjoyed by children and adults alike. In the example below, it is not necessary that you know how to draw a turtle you just need to get from one dot to the next in the right order to create your masterpiece Old-fashioned children s book version of drawing Machine Quilting Dot-to-Dot works on the same principle. It divides quilting patterns into small sections of stitching, identifies recurring shapes in the pattern, and allows 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 lines of varying arcs that flow in different directions. These are the basic shapes that can be practiced using my Stepping Stones to success (chapter 3, page 11), helping you to learn at your own pace and become confident with free-motion quilting. Eventually your eye will be trained to automatically break quilting patterns into sections and recognize the basic shapes that make up your chosen pattern. You will gain confidence the more you use this technique, and dividing any quilting pattern into stitchable shapes will become second nature A new way to quilt shapes by following the dots Dot-to-Dot Dots divide the stitching path into the basic shapes which can be practiced and stitched as quilting patterns, improving your machine quilting. Dots help identify recurring shapes and design elements when selecting and auditioning coordinating patterns. Dots remain consistent on patterns of all sizes or when the basic shapes 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. Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot 5

3 Quilting Dot-to-Dot Free-Motion Popularity The popularity of free-motion quilting has grown to new heights, resulting in techniques, products, and equipment all focused on making quilting the quilt easier for every quilter to accomplish. The unique effects that can be created with planning and auditioning everything from thread, batting, and quilting designs have increased the level of recognition of quilting to an admired area of artistic expression, and not just an afterthought to quickly finish the project. Redefining Free-Motion Quilting The definition of free-motion quilting has expanded in part because of the growing selection of sewing machines, home quilting frames, shortarm, and longarm machines. All require the quilter to use free-motion quilting techniques. Freemotion 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 be considered 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 what type 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 time to unfold those quilt tops, select the perfect quilting design, and quilt them into finished quilts. Let Quilting Dot-to-Dot: Patterns for Today s Machine Quilter be your guide to releasing your personal style of creative free-motion quilting. Quilting Dot-to-Dot is for everyone who ever thought, I m afraid to try machine quilting... I can t stay on the line, or I m a new quilter and I can t even stipple! 6 Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot

Chapter 2: Building Blocks Choosing Designs By the time a quilt top is completed you have invested time choosing the pattern and auditioning a variety of fabrics, making sure the combination of

The next step in the quilting process is to invest time studying your quilt top and exploring your quilting pattern options.

4 Chapter 2: Building Blocks Choosing Designs By the time a quilt top is completed you have invested time choosing the pattern and 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 pleased with your quilt top when it is finished. The next step in the quilting process is to invest 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 surface 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 fun and exciting creative outlet when you see the end results and enjoy the process. Identify Shapes and Sizes Begin by identifying the t areas to be quilted. Include blocks, borders, sashings, and setting squares/triangles. Trace these areas onto see-through tracing paper or Golden Threads Quilting Paper (see page 110), and pin on the quilt top. Look for unusual shapes and patterns that will fill the outlined area. Create new areas by adding two or more small sections together or dividing a large one into smaller spaces. For quilting pattern ideas, start by collecting clues from the quilt top and the finished quilt. Often the same quilt top offers the choice of t or irregular-shaped areas. Can you see any more options? Can a large area be divided into smaller sections? Tips from the Top Is the piecing pattern t/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? The small and large block choices are easy to visualize. Consider placing designs to highlight the diagonal layout of the pieced blocks. Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot 7

Auditioning a pattern is as simple as copying it on Golden Threads Quilting Paper and pinning it over the area where it will be quilted.

5 Chapter 2: Building Blocks How much machine quilting experience do you have? Now that you have collected clues from your quilt top, have fun and flip through the following pages marking the patterns you wish to audition. Auditioning a pattern is as simple as copying it on Golden Threads Quilting Paper and pinning it over the area where it will be quilted. It is best to audition a variety of patterns before making your final decision. Below is a list of questions to ask about each of your design choices before you begin quilting: The two thin borders can be quilted separately or as one wide border. Notice the interesting options for block shapes and/or repeating shapes into one of the borders. 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 border patterns next to each other? The patterns in this book have been marked with colored icons that can help you select patterns that coordinate the theme, category, or style of your quilt top. Most patterns fall into more than one category, which expands your options when choosing quilting designs. Have fun, experiment, and get creative! Elegant G Geometric Geometric F JJ uvenile Juvenile MMasculine Masculine T Quilting the small blocks highlights the sashing and cornerstone areas. The larger block patterns create a secondary design when placed side-by-side. This same example also auditions an edgeto-edge quilting design. 8 Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot

6 CHAPTER 5 Special Occasions: Juvenile & Holiday 2¹ ₂" F JJ uvenile 5" F JJ uvenile 48 Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot

7 Multi-Line & Bonus Patterns CHAPTER 5 Secondary Design 3" MMasculine MMasculine Cheryl Barnes Quilting Dot to Dot 97

2014 Handi Quilter Class List

2014 Handi Quilter Class List 1. Fun of Finishing 2. Sixteen Tips for Sweet Success 3. The Fun of Owning a Longarm Machine 4. Introduction to HQ Pro-Stitcher 5. HQ Pro-Stitcher : Beyond the Basics 6. TNT: Threads, Needles, Tension