Paso Robles quilt designer releases anniversary book
Quilt designer and business owner Dora Cary.
Orange Dot Quilts owner plans July readings and signings
– Quilt designer and business owner Dora Cary is marking the 10th anniversary of her Paso Robles-based business with the release of a new book that combines quilting patterns, personal stories, and dessert recipes.
Cary, owner of Orange Dot Quilts, released “Quilt and Never Skip Dessert,” a 100-page softcover book featuring 10 reimagined Nine-Patch quilt patterns, 10 dessert recipes, and 10 personal stories about her life in Romania and her experience as an immigrant in the United States.
“I am celebrating my 10-year anniversary of thriving in the quilting world with 10 reimagined ‘Nine-Patch’ quilt patterns, 10 dessert recipes and 10 personal stories about my life in Romania and as a new immigrant to America,” Cary said.
Cary worked as an engineer and graphic designer before moving to the United States in 2001. She launched Orange Dot Quilts in 2016.
To mark the anniversary and book release, Cary will host an open house and book reading July 1 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Orange Dot Quilts, located at 829 10th St., Suite A, in downtown Paso Robles. The book will be available for purchase. The event will also include food, beverages, music, and discounts.
A second book signing and reading is scheduled for July 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Spare Time Books, located at 945 12th St., Suite C, in Paso Robles.
Since launching her business, Cary has published more than 30 quilt patterns, taught classes, lectured, and exhibited at quilt guilds, retreats, and trade shows. She has also opened a retail store in downtown Paso Robles.
Cary said her approach differs from traditional quilting styles.
“I don’t come to it from a traditional point of view,” she said.
The new book includes illustrations by Cary’s daughter, Carla Cary, an artist and owner of Spare Time Books. Photography was provided by Chris Leschinsky, who photographed quilts in locations throughout the Central Coast.
One story in the book explains the origin of the business name, Orange Dot Quilts.
“From the buildings to our clothing, everything in that life was grey except for the brilliant orange sunsets that we would see from the west-facing window of our tiny, 10th-story apartment,” Cary said.
Cary said quilting is not practiced in Romania and that she made her first quilt in 2008.
Each personal story in the book is paired with a dessert recipe, including Dubai Chocolate Wedges.
Several quilt patterns featured in the book draw inspiration from the Central Coast, including one called “Wind Over Water.”
“Creating the rippling effect on that pattern using only ‘Nine-Patch’ blocks was not easy,” Cary said, “but I think that the design achieved it.”
Cary said customers travel from around the world to visit her Paso Robles shop and often explore the Central Coast during their visits.
“I’m always looking to carry items from small independent designers whose work is unusual or unknown,” Cary said. “My customers appreciate the fabrics that I carry from Europe, Japan and beyond—things that they haven’t seen anywhere else.”
Looking ahead, Cary said a new event called “Quilt Paso: with a side of Wine Tasting” is in development, with additional details to be announced.
“I hope that people will enjoy the stories, make a quilt or two, try some recipes, and remember to quilt and never skip dessert!” Cary said.
“Quilt and Never Skip Dessert” is available for $25 through orangedotquilts.com, at Orange Dot Quilts in Paso Robles, and at Spare Time Books in Paso Robles.
Orange Dot Quilts is located at 829 10th St., Suite A, in Paso Robles. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit orangedotquilts.com.
