Checkered Paws Quilt in Momento Fabric + Arches and Bowls Longarm Quilting Design

Today I have the Checkered Paws quilt to show you, made with the upcoming Momento fabric collection and quilted with a brand new longarm quilting pantograph design called Arches and Bowls.

This quilt was such a fun project from start to finish. The fabrics have a modern, architectural feel that pairs perfectly with the bold design in the Checkered Paws quilt pattern, and the flowing curves of the quilting design add just the right amount of movement to the finished piece.

In this post I’m going to walk you through the details of the quilt—from the fabric choices to the binding and backing—and share more about the new pantograph design used for the quilting.

And if you’re a longarm quilter, or you have a longarm quilter who finishes your quilts, make sure to sign up for my email newsletter. I’m giving away this Arches and Bowls pantograph design completely free to newsletter subscribers.

If you’re someone who enjoys quilting but prefers to send your quilt tops out to be finished, I also offer longarm quilting services for hire, including mail in longarm quilting services for quilters anywhere in the United States.

The Checkered Paws Quilt Pattern

The quilt featured in this post uses my Checkered Paws quilt pattern, which is one of my favorite modern quilt patterns for highlighting bold fabrics and graphic layouts.

The design is built around strong geometric blocks that create a playful checkerboard-style layout across the quilt. It has just enough structure to feel balanced while still allowing the fabrics to take center stage.

One of the reasons I love the Checkered Paws quilt pattern so much is that it works beautifully with a wide range of fabric collections. Whether you prefer minimal solids, bold prints, or modern collections like Momento, the layout adapts easily.

Another benefit of the Checkered Paws quilt pattern is that it works wonderfully as a fat quarter quilt pattern. If you love working with curated bundles or building quilts from your stash, this design gives you plenty of flexibility.

Because of the graphic layout, it’s also a fantastic option for quilters who love modern quilt patterns that emphasize clean lines, repetition, and strong visual contrast.

If you’d like to make your own version of this quilt, you can find the Checkered Paws quilt pattern here.

The pattern includes clear cutting instructions and block construction steps so you can confidently piece the quilt top.

Fabric Quilt Top: Momento by Carolyn Friedlander

The fabric used in this quilt is from the Momento collection by Carolyn Friedlander, which is scheduled to release in July 2026 through Ruby Star Society by Moda.

Carolyn Friedlander has been one of my all-time favorite fabric designers for years. Her work always feels thoughtful and intentional, often drawing inspiration from architecture, design, and subtle graphic elements.

One of the things I love most about her collections is the way the patterns repeat in a way that almost feels like blueprint drawings. Many of the prints have a structured quality that works incredibly well in modern quilting.

The color palette in the Momento collection is also beautiful. It features natural yet saturated tones that feel grounded and sophisticated at the same time.

These colors pair wonderfully with the graphic layout of the Checkered Paws quilt pattern, helping the design feel bold while still maintaining a cohesive look.

When this fabric collection releases in July 2026, I will also be offering Checkered Paws quilt kits made specifically with the Momento fabrics. The kits will make it easy to recreate this quilt exactly as shown here using the Checkered Paws quilt pattern.

Even though this particular quilt uses a specific fabric collection, the Checkered Paws quilt pattern works with nearly any fabric style—from bright modern prints to subtle neutrals or even a scrappy mix of fabrics from your stash.

Choosing the Binding Fabric

When it came time to finish this quilt, I spent a little while deciding what I wanted to use for the binding.

I had some leftover charcoal gray fabric from the quilt top that features a small organic grid pattern. This fabric appears throughout the background elements of the quilt, so it already felt connected to the overall design.

I also had some extra of the white background fabric that I could have used for the binding.

In the past, I’ve used white or very light fabrics for binding, and while they can look beautiful, they also tend to show wear or dirt a little more quickly—especially on quilts that get used frequently.

Because this quilt is definitely meant to be loved and used, I decided to go with the darker charcoal fabric instead.

Using a darker binding has a few benefits.

First, it tends to hold up better over time, especially if the quilt is used on the couch or taken on trips. Second, it frames the quilt nicely without pulling too much attention away from the piecing.

In this case, the charcoal binding creates a subtle frame around the quilt. When it meets the white background fabric, it creates a nice bit of contrast and visual interest. But when it runs along darker sections of the quilt top, it blends in beautifully.

This balance helps the Checkered Paws quilt pattern remain the focal point while still giving the finished quilt a polished edge.

Backing Fabric: Graphite 90” Wide Minky

For the backing fabric, I chose Graphite 90” wide Minky, which adds an incredibly soft and cozy finish to the quilt.

If you’ve never used Minky as a quilt backing before, it really transforms the feel of the finished quilt. The softness makes the quilt instantly inviting and perfect for everyday use.

There’s something about a Minky-backed quilt that makes people reach for it first.

Whether it’s being used on the couch, layered on a bed, or taken along on a road trip, the softness makes it extra comforting.

I also offer Minky backing options for many of my longarm quilting services clients. If you send a quilt top to me for mail in longarm quilting services, adding a Minky backing can be a great way to finish the quilt with an ultra-soft feel.

Quilts are meant to be used and enjoyed, and a cozy backing definitely helps encourage that.

The Longarm Quilting Design: Arches and Bowls

For the quilting on this project, I used a brand new longarm quilting pantograph design called Arches and Bowls.

This design was inspired by a pattern I noticed on a swimsuit. I loved the repeating curved shapes and thought they would translate beautifully into a quilting motif.

After sketching and experimenting with the shapes, I simplified the idea into a pattern made of alternating arches and bowls.

The design features:

• A larger arch across the top

• A smaller curved “bowl” shape below

These shapes nest together in a way that helps fill space evenly across the quilt while keeping the overall pattern light and airy.

One of the things I really love about this design is that it creates movement across the quilt without overpowering the piecing.

Because the Checkered Paws quilt pattern already has strong geometric elements, using a curved quilting design helps balance everything out visually.

Beginner Friendly Longarm Quilting Design

Another thing that makes the Arches and Bowls pantograph special is how beginner friendly it is.

The design:

• Requires no offsetting

• Has zero backtracking

• Flows smoothly from row to row

These features make it a great option for quilters who are newer to longarm quilting as well as experienced longarm quilters who want an efficient and visually pleasing design.

Pantographs like this are especially useful for longarm quilting services, since they stitch efficiently while still producing beautiful results across a wide variety of quilt tops.

Free Pantograph for Longarm Quilters

To celebrate the release of this design, I’m offering the Arches and Bowls pantograph completely free to anyone who signs up for my email newsletter.

When you subscribe, you’ll receive:

• The Arches and Bowls longarm quilting design

• All standard digital formats for robotic longarm machines

• Updates on new quilting resources, designs, and modern quilt patterns

If you’re a longarm quilter or someone who provides longarm quilting services, this design works beautifully on many modern quilt tops—including quilts made with the Checkered Paws quilt pattern.

Longarm Quilting Services Available

If you enjoy piecing quilts but don’t have a longarm machine yourself, I also offer professional longarm quilting services.

My studio specializes in finishing modern quilts with clean, modern quilting designs that complement contemporary quilt patterns.

Quilters from across the country use my mail in longarm quilting services, which allows you to send your quilt top to my studio for professional quilting.

These longarm quilting services for hire are perfect for quilters who want:

• Consistent professional stitching

• Modern quilting designs

• A beautifully finished quilt ready for binding

• Optional binding services

Whether you’re working on a quilt from the Checkered Paws quilt pattern, another modern quilt pattern, or a personal project you’ve been piecing, longarm quilting can help bring the entire quilt together.

A Modern Quilt Designed to Be Used

This quilt was such a joy to make.

Between the beautiful Momento fabric collection, the bold layout of the Checkered Paws quilt pattern, and the flowing curves of the Arches and Bowls longarm quilting design, the finished quilt feels both modern and cozy.

Projects like this are exactly why I love quilting so much. There are so many opportunities to combine design, color, and texture to create something that is both functional and beautiful.

If you’re interested in making your own version of this quilt, be sure to check out the Checkered Paws quilt pattern, which walks you step by step through the process of creating this modern quilt.

And if you’d like help finishing your quilt top, my longarm quilting services are always available.