Sometimes deciding what machine quilting designs to use on sampler quilt can be a little overwhelming. To make the process a little easier, I often turn to one of my “go-to” designs: the Dot to Dot “V”.
It might look basic, but don’t let it’s simplicity fool you, there are so many different ways you can use it on your quilts.
I’m going to show you I used this simple shape on Tula Pink’s Decorative Stitches quilt. This quilt features her newest fabric collection, HomeMade, and was a complete blast to quilt!
Pattern Designed by Stacey Day, Pieced by Tula Pink
So let’s see just how many different ways I used the Dot to Dot V on her quilt. (At the end of the blog post, I will have a list of resources to help you master this handy design.)
Triangle Shaped Blocks
It’s so perfect for triangles! It works in flying geese blocks, such as the ones along the top and bottom of the quilt, while still fitting into the taller triangles.
Depending on the size of the block, or if I want a lot of quilting, I can add more or less echo lines inside. This is incredibly helpful when working on a quilt that has blocks of multiple sizes or irregular shapes.
Plus Blocks
This design really shines when quilted in more complex blocks. In this Plus block, quilting a V in each of the sides helps group the pieces of the block together and also highlights Tula Pink’s perfect piecing.
If you like a lot of quilting on your quilts (you know I do!), you can add more echo lines just as I did in the green plus block.
If this design looks familiar, it’s because we learned how to quilt in during the “Help! How Do I Quilt It” Free-motion Challenge Quilting Along
Star Blocks
The points of a star quilt block are perfect for quilting the V shape.
Pointing them towards the middle helps draw attention to the center of the block and creates a more complex-looking design.
This is another design we learned during the “Help! How Do I Quilt It?” Free-motion Challenge Quilting Along.
Around Quilt Blocks
It’s obvious that this design can be used in a lot of differently shaped blocks, but it also looks amazing around the blocks.
Using it outside of the blocks can create stunning secondary designs and might even change the look of the block a bit.
This adorable little square block takes on a completely different look with the dot to dot lines quilted around it. This separates the block from the background filler and helps it stand out. If you try this, be sure to play around with different arrangements of the design. You just might be amazed by the different effects you can create.
Grouping Blocks Together
Quilting it in between several blocks can help group them together. Instead of showing off a single block, this will show them off as a group.
It not only makes a cool secondary design, it’s way easier than it might look. If you aren’t sure if it will work on your quilt, try sketching it out first. Having a rough idea of where you are going will help make the quilting process a lot easier.
I did the same thing in between the heart blocks as well.
Quilting the dot to dot Vs in this area was more about efficiency than aesthetics. It allowed me to move from block to block without having to break thread. Less stopping means more quilting….and more fun!
Combined with Other Designs
As much as I love this design, it would definitely get boring if it was the only thing I ever quilted. But I never have to worry about that because it pairs so nicely with contrasting filler designs, including wavy lines, feathers and swirls, just to name a few.
I think that this gorgeous quilt is the perfect example that a basic quilting design can have amazing impact on a quilt!
Your Turn!
Now it’s your turn, what are your thoughts the V design? Is it something that you have tried before? Let me know how it turned out in the comments section of the blog post.
Additional Resources
Want to dive into this design even more? Check out these resources:
Get the Kit-Want to learn more about the fabric or get the quilt kit for yourself? Click here.
Dot to Dot Quilting Free-motion Challenge Quilting Along: Learn how to machine quilt this and other geometric designs with this free video series.
“Help! How Do I Quilt It?’ Video Series – Get ideas for quilting blocks of all shapes in this series of videos.
Weekly Video Update
This quilt pattern and Tula Pink’s newest fabric collection were featured in my latest Quilting Is My Therapy video update.
I saw this quilt in person earlier this year when Tula showed it as part of her February show in Sarasota. Girl your collaboration with Tula is a once in a lifetime alignment of the stars. You guys make amazing art together. I hope you continue to show videos of you quilting her quilts
Would I be able to find the cutting measurements for the wallflower variable star quilt? I love it, but have not been able to find it anywhere.
You are so much fun to watch. Love all your videos. I only had enough confidence to do freemotion quilting after seeing your midnight quilt show.
You say on YouTube that you have a pdf showing how to do the “orange peel design” with Shelly. Where is it?
Please let me know when you are coming back to YouTube!!!! I miss your videos!!! And thank you for everything you have “virtually” taught me!!!!
I definitely miss seeing your Midnight quilt show on YouTube. You make free motion quilting look fun and do-able! I loved watching you creating different designs on a quilt. You have given me courage to try it myself. Thank you! You, Angela Walters, and Jenny Doan with MSQC are my favorites!!!
Thank you! You are a great teacher! I need help deciding the thread color to use on my red and white Christmas Joy quilt. Also what wt of thread do you recommend for machine quilting?
Thank you Angela for all your super helpful tips and advice. You gave me the permission not to be perfect. Since then I have been finishing my quilts like crazy. So far in 2020 I have finished 6 quilts and it is not even to the middle of the year. Of course these are quilts I pieced years and years ago. But thanks to your tips they are getting finished. Keep giving us you sage wisdom.
Nice. As the Mojoheads techno.Thank You for that:)
I love all.of them. Made 2 quilts for grandkids.. But made them from scratch with out pwrrern..strips & blocks
Love the way the dot-to dot quilting brings the blocks together! Really makes the whole quilt even more interesting to look at. Keeps my eyes moving to see how your connected everything.
Thank you. I really learned a lot from this post. I have never used this v shape and I had no idea how to utilize it. Seeing all your examples is great. Now I think I would like to practice and use it on my next quilt. It will be fun seeing where it takes me.
Hello to all
In this baffling continuously, I proclivity you all
Rise your strain and friends
I’m taking the big leap. I watch you all the time ,so I’m going to teach myself how to mach. quilting. I’ve made lots of tops ,its time to get them out. I’m one of your biggest fans.
I think the quilt is beautiful but right it is to expensive for me to by the items needed I hope before long I can.
Angela, you brighten our days immensely. I am about to quilt a very awkward quilt and think dot to dot may be the answer. Hello from South Australia. PS, waiting for my QIMT parcel to get here; it’s on the way!
Thanks Angela! I always enjoy seeing how you free motion Tula’s quilts. Another winner!
I love this design as well and enjoy pairing it with small paisley. The way it highlights the shape in a quilt sometimes creates a feature that otherwise isn’t noticeable! Thank you for your books and videos. I always enjoy learning from you!
It’s so beautiful!!! Love the colors, the pattern, and the quilting is amazing!!! V shape in so many ways!!