Ruler Quilting a Glitch Mode Quilt: Course Preview

By Piece N Quilt | Published: 2026-10-30

Category: Product Reviews

Get a practical preview of Natalia Bonner's ruler quilting course for the Glitch Mode quilt—learn key techniques, common mistakes, and how to apply them to your own modern quilt.

Quick Answer

In this course, Natalia Bonner demonstrates ruler quilting on the Glitch Mode quilt, showing how to use rulers to add texture and precision. You'll learn practical steps to improve your own machine quilting.

Why Ruler Quilting Works for Modern Quilts

Modern quilt designs like Glitch Mode often feature bold geometric shapes and negative space. Ruler quilting lets you echo those lines with crisp, consistent stitching, turning the quilt top into a cohesive piece. The course highlights how rulers help you maintain even spacing and sharp angles that are hard to achieve freehand.

One trade-off: ruler quilting requires a dedicated ruler foot and a bit of practice to coordinate fabric movement. But the payoff is a professional-looking finish that adds depth to your quilt.

What to Expect from the Course

The 27-minute video focuses on Natalia's process from start to finish, including her approach to planning the quilting design and executing it with rulers. You'll also see Chesney's piecing insights, which help you understand how the quilt top's construction influences your quilting choices.

This is a course preview, so you'll get a clear sense of the techniques covered without needing to already own the Glitch Mode pattern. The principles apply to any modern quilt with straight lines and geometric motifs.

Steps to Apply Ruler Quilting from This Course

Prepare your quilt sandwich: Baste your quilt top, batting, and backing securely to prevent shifting. Use a walking foot for straight-line basting or safety pins for a more temporary hold. Check that your quilt is flat and wrinkle-free before starting—this prevents tucks and uneven stitching.
Set up your ruler foot and machine: Attach a ruler foot to your machine and lower the feed dogs. Adjust the stitch length to your preference (typically 2.5–3.0 mm) and do a test stitch on a scrap piece to ensure the tension is balanced. Always test on a sample first—this saves you from ripping out stitches on your actual quilt.
Plan your quilting design: Study your quilt top and decide which areas to quilt with rulers. For Glitch Mode, you might echo the geometric lines or fill negative space with straight-line patterns. Mark your starting points lightly with a water-soluble pen. Having a clear plan before you start prevents mid-quilt improvisation that can lead to uneven spacing.
Start quilting with a steady rhythm: Begin in the center of the quilt and work outward. Hold the ruler firmly with your non-dominant hand, and move the fabric with your other hand, keeping a consistent pace. Use the ruler's edge as a guide for straight lines and curves. Keep your hands relaxed—tension in your grip can cause jerky movements and uneven stitches.
Check your progress and adjust: After quilting a few inches, stop and inspect the stitching from the back. If you see puckering or skipped stitches, adjust your machine speed or your hand pressure. It's okay to take a break and reposition. Regular checks help you catch issues early, saving time and thread in the long run.

Course Details

Ruler Quilting A Glitch Mode Quilt with Natalia Bonner: This exclusive 27-minute video features Natalia Bonner walking through her ruler quilting process on the Glitch Mode quilt, with Chesney sharing her piecing process. You get a complete, real-time demonstration of ruler quilting on a modern quilt, so you can see exactly how the technique is applied from start to finish.
Ruler Quilting A Glitch Mode Quilt with Natalia Bonner