Maynard Longarm Quilting — Pantograph Design

Bossa Nova: Geometric Elegance for Modern Quilts

Bossa Nova is a striking geometric pantograph design that brings contemporary flair to any quilt top. Created by designer Natalie Gorman, this edge-to-edge pattern features clean, repeating shapes that work beautifully on both traditional and modern quilts. The design maintains consistent spacing throughout, making it a reliable choice for quilters who want visual impact without overwhelming detail. Whether you’re quilting a scrappy throw or a precision pieced quilt, Bossa Nova adds sophistication and movement. It’s the kind of design that lets your fabric shine while adding professional-quality texture and dimension.

Photo by Adonyi Gábor on Pexels

Request This Design on Your Quilt →

About This Design

Bossa Nova uses a simple, repeating geometric motif that creates a sophisticated visual rhythm across your quilt. The pattern is engineered as an extended-width file to maintain even spacing of lines throughout each row of stitching, eliminating the guesswork of manual pantograph placement. The design repeats in a consistent couplet structure, meaning one full repeat actually contains two rows of the pattern—this creates a balanced, flowing appearance when stitched out. The pattern height is approximately 6.9 inches per repeat, giving you flexibility to scale up or down depending on your quilt size and desired impact. Because it’s designed with continuous stitching paths, Bossa Nova minimizes thread breaks and tension issues, even on machines like the Bernina Q24. The geometric nature of the design means it complements both solid and patterned fabrics without competing for attention.

Best For

• Modern quilts with bold color blocking or high contrast
• Contemporary scrappy quilts that need visual cohesion
• Precision pieced designs where geometric quilting enhances the piecing
• Masculine or gender-neutral quilts
• Baby quilts with clean, simple fabric prints
• Charity quilts where professional appearance matters
• Quilts combining traditional blocks with modern sensibility
• Smaller throw quilts or wall hangings

Thread Pairing

Bossa Nova’s geometric nature pairs beautifully with both matching and contrasting thread colors. For a subtle, sophisticated look, choose thread that blends with your quilt’s dominant color—this lets the quilting texture show without obvious stitch lines. If you want the quilting to pop, select a thread color that contrasts with your fabric, especially on solid backgrounds where the geometric pattern will really shine. Variegated or multi-colored threads can add playful movement to the design without overwhelming it. Neutral tones like warm grays, taupes, or warm whites work universally well with Bossa Nova’s clean lines.

Density & Time on Frame

Bossa Nova is a moderate-density design—not heavily stitched, but substantial enough to provide real texture and structure to your quilt. On a Bernina Q24, you can expect to quilt a 60-by-73-inch quilt in roughly 2 to 3 hours, depending on your comfort level with the machine and how familiar you are with the pattern. The consistent spacing and continuous stitching paths mean fewer starts and stops, which keeps your momentum steady and reduces fatigue. The moderate density also means this design works well for quilts destined for regular use—it’s durable without being so dense that it restricts the quilt’s drape or flexibility.

Customer Quilts Quilted in Bosa Nova

Gail’s “Quarter Log Cabin”Cathy M’s “Bento Box”Carol B’s “Jacob’s Ladder”Edie’s “Christmas”Leslie’s “Pineapple Salsa”Betty’s “Blue Edge Stars”Kay’s “Surf n Sand”Justine’s “Lanterns”Susan’s “Shop Hop”Margie’s “Scrappy Stars”Cathy’s “Wahlah”Dawn’s “Bonny Hunter Scrappy”

How to Request Bosa Nova

When you submit your quilt for longarm quilting, simply specify Bossa Nova as your chosen design in the quote form. If you have a preferred thread color or want the pattern scaled to a specific size, let Carol know in the design notes—she’ll work with you to ensure the pattern fits your quilt perfectly. Available in multiple digital formats compatible with the Bernina Q24 system.

Frequently Asked Questions