Tuesday, 19 May 2026

A Recap of Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit 2026



A poster for Free Form Fantasy Ferns with Julie Plotniko

It was my pleasure to offer my workshop on how to stitch "Free Form Fantasy Ferns" at the 

Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit

Here's what some of the students are saying:

Brenda S. said, "Such an organized workshop that allowed the less experienced quilter to easily follow. I can't wait to get to my machine."

Susan M. said, "The class was very encouraging."

Kathleen D. said, "I liked actually watching you stitch out the design. I have trouble with where to go next, so it's good to watch the repetition. Thank you."

Kathleen W. said, "Great idea. Love that it can be so Freeform & look intentional."

Karen J. said, "Thank you Julie for the presentation of Free Form Fantasy Ferns!!! I am horrible at doing feathers. I've tried REPEATEDLY and just can't get them right. I did your ferns and I LOVE them! I even ordered some polyester thread to try! I'm coming out of my comfort zone and feel pretty confident! Thank you!"

Botanical quilting on light green fabric

With 22 fabulous instructors, the free live event was a huge success.

The best news?

You still have an opportunity to access all of the recorded and video content and learn from the comfort of home!

Purchase an All Access Pass  here for unlimited access and to learn at your own speed.

A poster from the Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit 2026
Learn at your own speed from 22 Instructors


For those who are excited to learn even more, I'm offering one of my most popular, Virtual Workshops!

Register now with a special discount, just for you!!!

“Fun with Free Motion Quilting”

Live, Hands-On, Via Zoom
From the comfort of your own home.
Standard Bed (Domestic), Mid-Arm machines.
Longarm Quilters welcome.
Sunday, May 31' 2026
10:00 to 4:00 (PT)
$75.
Use the coupon code FWFMQSAVE$25! for a special $25. discount.
Enjoy expert instruction to help improve your Free Motion Quilting skills as you learn how to stitch nine of my exclusive designs.
This workshop will focus on gently improving your FMQ skills as we work through a progression of designs to help you achieve smooth hand movement, confidence in adjusting your machine's tension, and choose the correct needle/thread/design combination.
All skill levels welcome.
Lifetime support included.
Yes, you can!
Register with payment by eTransfer or PayPal to juliesquiltclass@telus.net
Use the link below to pay with Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
Don’t forget to enter your Discount Code at checkout!
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Place Order to complete the transaction.


 

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit 2026

A poster advertizing a virtual workshop with Julie Plotniko

I’m excited to announce that I’m one of the instructors at this year’s Move The Needle - Machine Quilting Summit

May 13-15, 2026
You have the opportunity to learn from 22 fabulous instructors, online for free!!!!!
There are different instructors each day, and you'll have 24 hours to access those lessons!!
I’ll be teaching you how to free motion quilt two styles of “Free Form Fantasy Ferns”!
With so many ways to quilt a quilt…Walking foot, Ruler work, Free-motion, you’ll get to see how different quilters approach their quilting… and start figuring out what works for you.

🎉Get your free ticket here:


A poster for Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit

PS
Would you like plenty of time to watch the videos and even more free stuff?
Follow the prompts in the link above to purchase an
All Acess Pass!

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine - Issue 72 The Wonder of Storybook Stitches

The cover of A Needle Pulling Thread magazine

A Needle Pulling Thread-Issue 72 invites readers into a world of Storybook Stitches, where quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, and handwork are inspired by storytelling, imagination, and literary charm. 

Click on the link above or purchase your copy at select newsstands and specialty shops near you!

My "Gothic Raven" quilt, included in this issue, was inspired by the writing of Edgar Allan Poe, and blends gothic colour symbolism with traditional piecing. 

A purple, green, black and grey quilt

The quilt body is constructed using half-square triangle units and pinwheel blocks arranged to create optical movement, inspired by the atmosphere of classic Gothic literature. 

Machine stitching of a raven on a pieced quilt
The Raven Quilting 


The finished size measures 48½” x 54½” [123 x 138cm]. 

Suitable for all skill levels, the project includes my opening article, ‘If Authors Made Quilts’, detailed construction instructions for the Gothic Raven Quilt, and step-by-step guidance for stitching an enlarged raven and my free motion quilting design,  Meet Me in Faerie. 

Purchase the pattern for my Gothic Raven Quilt here.

I would love to see pictures of your version of this quilt!

Monday, 4 May 2026

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #477

A drawing of white leaves and butterflies on a dark background

I love the way nature imitates nature as a form of camouflage!

This hidden creature kept wanting to peek out from my design, so this week it was allowed out to play.

Named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, May 3, 2026, this design is now called “Butterfly Leaves”.

Thank you and congratulations to Cathy Hodge Crawford from Mill Bay, B.C. for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Would you like to get in on all the fun?
Join my new Facebook group 

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #476

Bright green machine of leaves on dark blue fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #476, "Lacey Leaves"

From drawing to stitch out, this week’s new, free motion quilting design is sure to please!

A drawing of a FMQ design that has been named Lacey Leaves
The preliminary drawing of "Lacey Leaves."

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, April 25, 2026.
This design is now called "Lacey Leaves".

Thank you and congratulations to Suzanne Knox from San Tan Valley, Tennessee, USA for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

Have Fun with this design!

Would you like to learn how to Free Motion Quilt or improve your existing skills?
Join my Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month and learn at your own pace from the comfort of home.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #475

Pale blue machine stitching on blue fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #475, "Palm Breeze"

This new, free motion quilting design was inspired by my previous two and a tree that is often planted on Vancouver Island, but isn’t from here.

The first VI palm trees were planted by the City of Nanaimo in 1967 as part of the inaugural Bathtub Days.

This design was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

It is now called “Palm Breeze”.

Thank you and congratulations to Karen Jackson of Oakdale, Louisiana, USA, for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

Happy Quilting!

Sunday, 3 May 2026

Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month



Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month


Now available yearly or quarterly.
Register here for April/May/June
An exciting new way to learn how to free motion quilt or to improve your existing skills.
All skill levels, all machines welcome.
The program will focus on improving skills such as fingertip control and fluidity of motion with a relaxed and inclusive approach to learning.

Each month, you will receive an email with instructions on how to stitch one of my exclusive, free motion quilting designs. Included in the program will be bonus seasonal designs, information about machine setup, tips and tricks, bonus videos, frequent Zoom meetings, access to an exclusive Messenger group, full support by Messenger and email, discounts on other helpful Zoom workshops, exercises on working with different threads, and more.

Instructions for assembling your practice “blocks” with a quilt-as-you-go technique will be included with this program.
Quarterly Registration
$25. (CD)
Register with PayPal or e-transfer to juliesquiltclass@telus.net
Use the link below to pay with Visa, MasterCard or American Express

OR

Yearly
$89. (CD)
Register with PayPal or e-transfer to juliesquiltclass@telus.net
Use the link below to register with Visa, MasterCard or American Express