Custom Machine Quilt A Dot Quilt with Natalia Bonner
Join professional machine quilter Natalia Bonner inside the PNQ Academy as she custom machine quilts a playful Dot Quilt using the Sway 3 Machine Quilting Ruler and free-motion quilting.
In this calm, behind-the-shoulder 27-minute video, Natalia focuses on quilting flow, texture, and movement as she combines ruler quilting with organic pebbles and echoes. You’ll see how structured ruler work creates crisp definition, while alternating-direction pebbles and varied echoes build a soft, dynamic background full of dimension.
Working intentionally from left to right, Natalia demonstrates how switching between ruler quilting and free motion not only gives her hands a break, but also helps keep the quilt flat and smooth. She shares why she prefers quilting in stitch-regulated mode at 14 stitches per inch, and how gentle pressure and relaxed hand placement improve both control and stitch quality.
Throughout the video, Natalia explains her decision-making process as she quilts—how she chooses when to add structure, when to soften an area with filler, and why varying the number of echoes creates a more natural, organic finish. She also walks through her preferred loading method, including why she chooses not to float her quilts and how single-stitch basting provides added control as she advances.
Natalia shares practical longarm quilting tips, including how alternating quilting directions improves overall texture, how maximizing each quilting pass builds momentum, and why relaxing your grip—even quilting with one hand at times—can dramatically improve fluidity.
This video is a beautiful example of how combining precision ruler quilting with free-flowing pebbles and echoes can transform a simple Dot Quilt into a richly textured, dimensional finish.
Materials & Supplies Used
Machine
Gammill 22" Longarm
Stitch-regulated mode, 14 stitches per inch (SPI)
Ruler Foot
Ruler Base
Ruler
Sway 3 Machine Quilting Ruler
Thread
So Fine! Thread #511 by Superior Threads
Bobbin
Light Blue SuperBob (Pre-wound)
Batting
Quilter’s Dream Wool Batting
Why You’ll Love This Video
Learn how to combine ruler quilting and free-motion quilting seamlessly
See how alternating pebble directions creates more natural texture
Understand why varying echo spacing adds movement and depth
Gain confidence using single-stitch basting for added control
Learn how gentle pressure improves stitch quality and machine control
Discover how thoughtful transitions keep your quilt flat and flowing
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