Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Perfect Balanced Tension - Virtual Workshop

A poster for a quilting workshop with Julie Plotniko

New Date!

Perfect Balanced Tension is what every quilter wants, but when and how to adjust our machines can sometimes be a mystery.

Learn how your needle, thread, machine setup, and more can affect the tension of your sewing machine, plus when and how to adjust it, with this relaxing, virtual lecture-style workshop.
Yes … you are allowed to touch that dial!
Sunday, September 7
1:00 to 2:00 PM (PDT)
$25.
All Access Pass holders from the Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025, please insert your bonus coupon at checkout.
The coupon is valid until December 31, so I will add additional dates as needed.
Payment can be made with PayPal or e-transfer to juliesquiltclass@telus.net
To pay with Visa or Mastercard, or to use a coupon, please use the link below

Don’t forget to go all the way to the bottom and click on place order to finalize the sale.

Your Zoom invitation will be emailed to you one week prior to the event.

Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025

 

A poster advertizing the Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025

I had an amazing time teaching at this year's Free Motion Quilting Summit!

The Live portion of the event has ended, but the great news is that you still have time to sign up for an        All Access Pass!

Relax and learn at your leisure.

Purchase your All Access Pass by August 31 and receive six months of extended access to all the content and videos.

Exclusive teachers bonuses for you include shop discounts, templates, instruction sheets, mini courses and more. (An amazing $550. value.)

Please use my affiliate link to register today.

https://fmqsummit07--marygoroundquilts.thrivecart.com/...

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

I'm Teaching at the Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025


I'm thrilled to be one of the instructors for the Free Motion Quilting Summit 2025.

There are lots of workshop videos, free bonuses, prizes, question and answer sessions, and more.

Once you sign up for your Free Pass, you'll receive an option to upgrade to an All Access Pass that will give you six months to watch the videos, plus even more free bonuses.
Happy Quilting!
Julie
Please click on my affiliate link below to register.

Recent Workshop Update

 

A workshop poster with a little girl at a sewing machine

A look back at several guild workshops from earlier this year.

Introduction to Thread Painting - "Harmony the Hedgehog with the Maine Island Quilters Guild

Adult students working in a sewing classroom


I've had the pleasure of teaching several workshops for the Maine Island Quilters Guild and this group never fails to amaze me!

They recently decided to take my  Introduction to Thread Painting workshop.
Students in this workshop learn how to do fusible machine applique and how to use both the straight and zig-zag stitch to create a cute and realistic thread painting of a hedgehog.

A quilter sits at a sewing machine

I had the pleasure of staying overnight with Meryl. 
Thanks, Meryl!

A woman holding a machine stitched minature hedgehog


Some students had to leave early to catch a ferry home, so they decided to minaturize their hedgehogs. How cute!

Campbell River Friendship Guild - Introduction to Free Motion Quilting

A group of ladies at sewing machines


I have also taught previously for the Campbell River Friendship Guild, and this time the students attending were an enthusiastic group of new free motion quilters. What fun!

A quilter sits at her sewing machine

A woman at her sewing machine
 
Our venue was a lovely heritage building facing the beach, and though it was a stormy day, the view was spectacular.

Two ladies are enjoying a quilting workshop



Ellen was my lovely hostess for this event. She even had her completed sample from a previous "Ferns and Favorites" workshop hanging on display. It was good to see you Ellen!

A fabric art card of a beach scene

Mary created this beautiful fibre art card, which everyone signed.
It's a keepsake that I'll treasure.

A white envelope with decorated block letters

My class helper Barb used her impressive Zentangle skills to decorate the cards envelope with the Free Motion Quilting designs that I taught during the workshop.
I'll be framing both the card and envelope!

Boundary Bay Quilters Guild - Precision Piecing Lecture / Demo 



A multi colored and pieced star quilt

The Boundary Bay Quilters are another dynamic group that is very involved in their community.

My lecture/demo with PowerPoint presentation on precision piecing was met with enthusiasm and I have no doubt that all those who attended will put the information to good use.

Thanks Liz for inviting me to speak!

I'll bring you up to date about my workshops at Quilt Canada in a series of future posts.

Available Workshops and Presentations, (Virtual and in-person) are listed under the tabs at the top of this page.

Feel free to contact me for further information at juliesquiltclass@telus.net

Sunday, 17 August 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #422

White stitching on a dark green background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #422 "Neutral Network" 

This new free motion quilting design was inspired by solar flares and space dust.

There were many, many imaginative name suggestions, and with all of your votes, we had a tie.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, April 13, 2025.

This design is now called “Neutral Network”.

Thank you and congratulations to Val Ansell of Nanaimo, BC for suggesting this wonderful, (with a nod to science), winning name!

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #421

Blue stitching on white fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #421 "Fancy Dancy Feathers"

This new, free motion quilting design has been named.

It’s super fast to quilt and adds beautiful texture.

The winning name was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

This design is now called “Fancy Dancy Feathers”.

Thank you and congratulations to Jo L. Stauffer of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

Do you want to get in on all the fun?

Click on the icons at the top of this page to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Follow this Blog on Feedspot to be sure you never miss a post!

Sunday, 3 August 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #420

 

A white line design of loops and flowers
New Free Motion Quilting Design#420, "Cotton Boll"

This new, free motion quilting design is simple enough for new quilters to stitch with confidence and will add lovely texture to any quilt.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

This design is now called “Cotton Boll”.

Thank you and congratulations to Pam Bretz Sommers for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

Pam is from Forest, Indiana, USA.

Would you like to learn new free motion quilting skills? 

I have both in-person and virtual workshops available for guilds, groups, conferences, and individuals.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #419

Cream colored stitching on blue fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #419, "Beginner's Luck"

This new, free motion quilting design was created to teach beginner FMQ students how to change directions, stitch straight lines, and continuous curves.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram), with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

This design is now called “Beginner’s Luck”.

Thank you and congratulations to Irene Harvalias of New Westminster, BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Sunday, 6 July 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #418

Cream colored stitching on blue fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #418, "YouCanDoThe" Loop

This new, free motion quilting design, inspired by a wonderful group of beginner FMQ students, has been named.

There were an amazing number of wonderfully imaginative name suggestions!

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

This design is now called “YouCanDoThe” Loop.

Thank you and congratulations to Pam Bretz Sommers of Forest, Indiana, USA, for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Friday, 6 June 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #417

A flowing line design on a purple background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #417, "Wandering Thistle"

This new free motion quilting design, inspired by a story about a magical kingdom, has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

This design is now called “Wandering Thistle”.

Thank you and congratulations to Kristen Smith Dvm for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.
Kristen is from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, USA.

Have fun stitching this design.

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Julies Name Game - New free Motion Quilting Design #416

Yellow machine stitching of leaves on burgandy fabric
New Free Motion quilting Design #416, "Windy Leaves"

This new free motion quilting design, inspired by a windy, almost Spring day, has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

This design is now called “Windy Leaves”.

Thank you and congratulations to Susanne Knox for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!
Susanne is from San Tan Valley, Arizona, USA.

Hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups booking now for 2025, 2026.

Friday, 11 April 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #415

A bright green drawing of a free motion quilting design
New Free Motion Quilting Design #415

This new, free motion quilting design would love to be stitched big and bold to fill large negative space or add punch to a plain border.

Named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 23, 2025, this design is now called “Oysters and Kelp”.

Thank you and congratulations to Paulette Brunette Beliveau for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!
Paulette is from Sutherlin, Oregon, USA.


Hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups now booking for 2025, 2026 and 2027

 

Friday, 21 March 2025

A Needle Pulling Thread Magaine Issue 68 - Inspired by Geometrics

A black, white and yellow geometric magazine cover

Issue #68 of A Needle Pulling Thread magazine is now available as a digital download or print version for order by clicking on the link below.

Issue 68, A Needle Pulling Thread - Inspired by Geometrics

You can also purchase the print version at newsstands and specialty shops near you.

This wonderful, Canadian publication is full of inspiring projects and I’m thrilled that my quilt, Desert Dawn is one of them! 

We were given the prompt of "Inspired By Geometrics" as the starting point for our submissions.

I've always loved science, art, and ancient history so I chose the geometry and mysterious nature of the pyramids as my inspiration for this quilt.


A quilt of teal, orange and peach colored 60 degree triangles

I hope that you enjoy making the Desert Dawn quilt and remember, I love to receive photos of your work!

Subscribe to A Needle Pulling Thread here.

Monday, 17 March 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #414

Pink machine stitching on an off-white background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #414, "Tree of Love"

This new, Valentine inspired, free motion quilting design has been named.

There were many lovely name suggestions and with your votes, it came down to a tie.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

This design is now called “Tree of Love”.

Thank you and congratulations to Krissi Dempsey May for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.
Krissi is from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA.

Hand-guided FMQ on a standard bed machine with FabuLux FB11 In The Pinks from WonderFil Specialty Threads

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #413

A white line drawing on a brown ombre background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #413 "Butterflies Alight"

This Winter inspired, free motion quilting design has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

This design is now called “Butterflies Alight”.

Thank you and congratulations to Martha Brooks Stroud for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.
Martha is from Troy, Missouri, USA.

Hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups booking now for 2025, 2026.
Click on the tabs at the top of this page for more information.

Friday, 14 March 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #412

Green and brown stitching of tiny leaves on white fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #412, "Kinnikinnik"

This easy, breezy, new free motion quilting design, perfect for a Winter quilt, has been named.

I think it would be amazing stitched in a sparkly silver thread on a quilt of soft blues or greens.

The winning name was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

This design is now called "Kinnikinnik".

Thank you and congratulations to Val Ansell of Nanaimo BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Hands on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups booking now for 2025, 2026.
Look under the tabs at the top of this page for more information.

Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #411

White lines of a botanical design on a blue and purple background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #411, "Painted Coleus"

This new free motion quilting design, inspired by textiles of the Jacobean Era, has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote, (Facebook & Instagram), with a record number of shares, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

This design is now called “Painted Coleus”.

Thank you and congratulations to Becky Fen for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

Becky is from Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.

Hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups booking now for 2025, 2026.
More information under the tabs at the top of this page.

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Julies name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #410

Green machine stitching of small leaves on white fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #410 "Winter Flow"

Baby, it’s cold outside! Much of the garden has turned to twigs with some greenery barely hanging on.

This new, free motion quilting design has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, Jan 19, 2025.

This design is now called “Winter Flow”.

Thank you and congratulations to Christy Collum of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Booking now, hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups for 2025 and 2026.
More information under the tabs at the top of this page.

Sunday, 9 February 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #409

Machine stitching of leaves on cream colored fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #409, "Blowin in the Wind"

This new, free motion quilting design quilts up quickly, has an easy and fluid rhythm, and is an excellent choice for all-over quilting.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, Jan 12, 2025.

This design is now called “Blowin in the Wind”.

Thank you and congratulations to Wendy Decker of Bath, Main, USA for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

A huge thanks as well to everyone who commented, liked, and shared this post.
Your creative and whimsical name suggestions continue to inspire me!

Booking now, hands-on and virtual workshops for guilds and groups.

More information under the tabs at the top of this page.

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Teaching at Quilt Canada 2025

A poster for Quilt Canada 2025 advertizing that I'm A teacher

The 2025 Quilt Canada classes and lectures are up on the Canadian Quilters Association website and I'm thrilled to announce that I am one of the instructors!

Registration for Workshops, Lectures, and Tours opens on February 25, 2025, for CQA/ACC Members.

Registration for all opens on March 12, 2025.

Click on the link below for more information.

https://canadianquilter.com/quilt-canada-2025-classes.../

I hope to see you there!

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #408

A line drawing of simple leaves on a brown background
New Free Motion Quilting Design #408 "Twisting Trillium"

Our first new free motion quilting design of 2025, inspired by silver wire work of the Baroque period, has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, Jan 5, 2025.

This design is now called “Twisting Trillium”.

Thank you and congratulations to Tracy Vermilyea Thompson of New Westminster BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Start the new year off by learning something new.
Virtual and in-person workshops registering now.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #407

A red line drawing of loops and flowers on a white background
New Free Motion QUilting Design #407, "Posy Parade"

Can you believe that our final new free motion quilting design for 2024 has been named?

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

This design is now called "Posy Parade".

Thank you and congratulations to Susan Barnett of Port Alberni, BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Start the new year off by learning something new.
Virtual and in-person workshops registering now.

Julies Name Game - New Free MOtion Quilting Design #406

 

A stitched design of Christmas ornaments on white fabric
New Free Motion Quilting Design #406, "Christmas Baubles"

It’s so much fun to decorate and quilt for the Holidays.

I’m happy to say that this new, free motion quilting design has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

This design is now called Christmas Baubles.

Thank you and congratulations to Cathy Jessica Latoski of Victoria BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Want to get in on the naming fun?

Click on the links on this page and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bloglovin.


Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #405

Continuous loops and shooting stars drawn in blue on yellow
New Free Motion Quilting Design #405 "Shooting Star"

This new, free motion quilting design encourages the beginner quilter to play with straight lines and curves.

I loved all of the creative name suggestions that were posted for this design on Facebook and Instagram!

The winner was chosen by popular vote, with a little help from a random name picker at 6:00 PM (PST) on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

This design is now called “Shooting Star”.

Thank you and congratulations to Janet Smith of Turlock, California, USA for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Now booking, in-person, and virtual workshops for guilds, groups, and conferences for 2025 and 2026.
Look under the Tabs at the top of this page or contact me for further information.

Click on the links to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Feedspot.