Dot to Dot Curves and Grid System
Quilting straight lines and smooth curves on a domestic sewing machine takes practice and a plan. The Dot to Dot Curves and Grid System from Pauline's Quilters World is a template set and booklet designed to get quilters started: it gives you physical grids and curves to quilt along, so your stitching comes out consistent and professional-looking even while you're still building confidence.
What Is the Dot to Dot System?
The Dot to Dot Curves and Grid System is a quilting template kit paired with an instructional booklet. Instead of marking an entire quilt top freehand, you work from the grid — quilting along one template edge at a time and building designs across the quilt. Straight lines, gentle curves, and measured spacing are all built into the templates.
The booklet is written for quilters learning to quilt on a domestic sewing machine. It walks through preparation, which the designer stresses is particularly important, and explains the two main approaches: quilting with your feed dogs up (the machine feeds the fabric) or with your feed dogs down (free-motion, where you move the fabric yourself). Your choice decides how your machine needs to be set up. The set also includes a download link for a FREE PDF instruction manual.
What's in the Kit
Five templates, plus the booklet and PDF manual:
- Template A – 1″ Base Grid
- Template B – 1½″ Base Grid
- Template C – 1″ Curves and 3″ Curves
- Template D – 2″ Curves and 2″ Semi Curves
- Template E – 6″ Curves and Straight Edge
The grid templates (A and B) give you measured squares for geometric designs and evenly spaced lines. The curve templates (C, D, and E) run from tight 1-inch curves to a broad 6-inch sweep, plus a straight edge, so you can mix arches, arcs, and straight segments into flowing motifs.
Why Quilters Use It
Working from a grid means every repeat matches — quilt along the same edge each time and every curve lines up with the last, which is what makes all-over designs look polished. Tracing the same curves again and again also builds the hand control and rhythm that transfers to free-motion work later. Because the booklet covers both feed-dogs-up and feed-dogs-down methods, you can use the templates whichever approach suits your machine.
How to Use the Templates
- Read the booklet first. Work through the preparation section before you touch your quilt.
- Choose your method — feed dogs up or down — and set up your machine accordingly.
- Practice on a sandwich. Stitch along the template edges on scrap fabric until your speed and movement feel smooth.
- Plan your layout. Starting from a base grid template keeps spacing even across the quilt.
- Quilt section by section, repeating the same edges so motifs stay consistent. Combine shapes — for example, a 3-inch curve arc flowing between straight grid lines — for richer designs.
Tips, Care, and Project Ideas
Keep your needle right against the template edge and move at a steady, moderate speed. If quilting with feed dogs down, stop and reposition the template before a shaky section — re-seating is easier than unpicking. The small curves suit sashings and borders; the 6-inch curves make a bold sweep in open blocks. Store the templates flat so the edges stay true, and wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after use.
Try an all-over 1-inch grid on a baby quilt, curved arcs on a table runner, or 6-inch curves as border motifs on a larger quilt. A practice sandwich quilted with every template edge doubles as a sampler for future layouts.
Shop the Dot To Dot Curves And Grid System at Linda's Electric Quilters.
