Orange Dot Quilts was created in 2016 by me, Dora Cary, a Romanian-born engineer and designer who moved to the United States in 2001, discovered quilting in 2006, made my first quilt and became an American citizen in 2008, and wrote my first quilt pattern in 2013.

Now I have more than 30 quilt and bag patterns and even more patterns are waiting to be created. I have several notebooks filled with ideas and sketches waiting to be turned into quilts, bags, or something else altogether.

I love quilting for the creativity and freedom of expression it gives me, and I love the quilting community for the amazing generosity and sense of camaraderie.

Sew much love!

P.S.: Why Orange Dot Quilts, you ask? Because I love orange and polka dots and quilts. Because ORANGE, DOTs, and QUILTS make me happy.

My Story

I was born in Romania, a beautiful country situated in Eastern Europe. My mother and grandmothers taught me to sew, knit, embroider, crochet, and weave from a very early age. I loved it all! Most of my life in Romania was lived under a strict communist regime but that taught me to appreciate freedom more and be creative about finding ways to achieve what I wasn't allowed to have. I studied engineering and, after witnessing a revolution (that overthrew communism in my country) and getting my degree, I went back to school to learn about marketing and design in a free economy.

In the late 90's I met an American man who later was to become my husband. I moved to the United States in 2001. When I stumbled onto quilting in 2006, it was something new to me as there is no quilting in Romania. But it was love at first sight and I could not stop thinking about this amazing art form. I have been making quilts ever since.

I started quilting by using available patterns but very soon I was creating patterns of my own. Encouraged by the oohs and aahs of the ladies in the local guild, I decided to share my creations with the world. My quilts have a contemporary look but I love traditional patterns and I try to reinterpret them in a new way.

My quilts have been displayed in many quilt shows such as QuiltCon; QuiltFest Oasis in Palm Springs; Seven Sisters; and Pacific International Quilt Festival.

My way of quilting is a bit different than the traditional way but it works really well. I decided to share my techniques with other quilters so I started teaching in 2017.  You can find a description of my classes on this website.

My lectures are fun and informative, covering the unusual path I took from growing up in communist Romania to having a successful quilting business in the country of my dreams. During my lectures I share my quilts, my favorite quilting techniques and tools, as well as my no-basting method of quilting on a domestic sewing machine.

I love to travel and teach, so don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about me teaching at your guild or shop.

A few Orange Dot Quilts patterns.

You can find all my patterns in my Etsy shop at orangedotquilts.etsy.com or in the SHOP page on this website. In July 1, 2021, a brick-and-mortar Orange Dot Quilts shop opened in Paso Robles, California.