Move the Needle - Machine Quilting Summit 2026

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:

http://www.momandmequiltingco.com/a/2148268379/DBCDVCfr

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!

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

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. 

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. 

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!

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #477

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 

Machine Quilting Show and Share

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #476

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!

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

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!

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

https://square.link/u/ocfZWAMg

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

https://square.link/u/UEy5GOPy

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design # 474

New Free Motion Quilting Design #474, "Quidditch"

This new, free motion quilting is a variation of design 472.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

This design is now called “Quidditch”.

Thank you and congratulations to Martha Brooks Stroud of Troy, Missouri, USA for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

I'm currently booking virtual and in person workshops for guilds, groups and conferences for 2026/2027/2028

Contact me at juliesquiltclass@gmail.com to reserve your dates!

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #473

New Free Motion Quilting Design #473, "Wings of Fire"

This new, free motion quilting was inspired by the wings on a cartoon of a flying dinosaur.

There was an abundance of fabulous name suggestions and a four-way 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 4, 2026.

This design is now called “Wings of Fire”.

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

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design # 472

New Free Motion Quilting Design #472, "Flower Dance"

When playing with design, small changes can have a big impact.

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, March 29, 2026.

This design is now called "Flower Dance".

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

Would you like to learn how to Free Motion Quilt or improve your existing skills?

New Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month, registering now.
For further information click on the Registering Now -Virtual Classes tab at the top of this page.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #471

New Free Motion Quilting Design, "Peacock Feathers"

Designed while listening to folk music, this new free motion quilting design has been named.

There were so many marvellous and imaginative name suggestions, and the voting was fierce.
In the end 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, March 22, 2026.

This design is now called “Peacock Feathers”.

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

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #470

New Free Motion Quilting design #470, "Cosmic Cosmos"

 I love how subtle changes create an entirely new design.

This new, free motion quilting design is the result of these small changes to design #469.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

This design is now called “Cosmic Cosmos”.

Thank you and congratulations to Mary M Fleck Robinson for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!
Mary is from Okotoks, Alberta.

Would you like to learn how to Free Motion Quilt or improve your existing skills?
New Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month, registering now.
For further information click on the Registering Now -Virtual Classes tab at the top of this page.

A Needle Pulling Thread Magazine Issue 71 - Inspired to Reimagine

I'm happy to say that my work has been included in  

A Needle Pulling Thread - Issue 71

Click on the link above to purchase a copy of this wonderful magazine.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

 My Quilt, "Dream a Little Dream of Me" is a reimagining of my Dream pillow from 

A Needle Pulling Thread, Issue 57, Inspired by Words

This quilt is a "Dream" to make and/or gift and features raw-edge appliqué, wholecloth quilting, and free motion quilting artistry.

The pattern can also be purchased separately by clicking on the link below, and includes both step-by-step instructions and a free motion quilting tutorial with diagrams for how to stitch my free motion quilting design, Julie's Garden.

Pattern, Dream a Little Dream of Me

"Dream" Pillow from Issue 57

I hope you enjoy making these projects and would love to see photos of your work!

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #469

New Free Motion Quilting Design #469, "Flower Power"

This whimsical, new, free motion quilting design has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

This design is now called “Flower Power”.

Thank you and congratulations to Carolyn Mullins Stewart of Jackson, Tennessee for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Machine Quilting With Multiple Threads

The stitching appears as soft orange on the blue fabrics.

During my last post, I asked if you noticed anything different about this thread and promised to tell you what it is.

The answer?

It’s two threads run through the needle at the same time!

The same thread combination appears to be soft blue on the orange fabrics.

For this particular quilt, I wanted a 40-weight trilobal polyester for the quilting but…I couldn’t find the perfect colour.

I settled on the two best options, but when test stitching, I found that the orange was too subtle and the blue was too strong.

My solution, run them both together.

My machine is threaded with two spools of thread.

 

Both threads go through the eye of a Topstitch 90/14 Needle

This fun technique allows the threads to twist together as you stitch, creating a totally different effect.

In this case, the two colours complement each other for a soft and subtle appearance that seems to change between orange and blue depending on the fabric being stitched.

I’m really happy with the results!

For lot’s more weekly tips check out my new Facebook page Machine Quilting Show and Share

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #468

New Free Motion Quilting Design #468, "Flower Affair"

This new, free motion quilting design is so much fun to stitch.

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 1, 2026.

This design is now called “Flower Affair”.

Thank you and congratulations to Cathy Hodge Crawford of Cobble Hill, BC for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Did you notice something different about the thread?
I’ll reveal the answer in my next post.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #467

New Free Motion Quilting Design #467, "Be My Valentine"

Heart-based designs are always so much fun to stitch, and this one is no exception.

This new, free motion quilting design was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

This design is now called “Be My Valentine”.

Thank you and congratulations to Karen Jackson for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!
Karen is from Oakdale, Louisiana.

For all who would like to learn how to free motion quilt or improve their skills.
My Free Motion Quilting - Block of the Month, is registering now.
For further information click on the Registering Now -Virtual Classes tab at the top of this page.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #466

New Free Motion Quilting Design #466, "Filigree Hearts"

This sweet and simple, Valentine-inspired, free motion quilting design has been named.

I absolutely loved all of your creative name suggestions!

With all of 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 15, 2026.

This design is now called “Filigree Hearts”.

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

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #465

New Free Motion Quilting Design, "Oaks In My Garden"

This new, free motion quilting design was inspired by the sound of recent high winds blowing through a stand of trees.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

This design is now called “Oaks In My Garden”.

Thank you and congratulations to Glynda Pruetz Croix, from Tomball, Texas for suggesting this wonderful, winning name.

I wasn’t purposely thinking of oak leaves but, through your name suggestions I learned that there is a type of oak (Chinkapin) that looks just like this! Who knew?

Would you like to learn more about free motion quilting along with how to stitch many of my exclusive FMQ designs?

My Free Motion Quilting - Block of the Month, is registering now.
For further information click on the Registering Now -Virtual Classes Tab at the top of this page.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #464

New Free Motion Quilting Design #464, "Star Burst"

This new, free motion quilting design was inspired by a frosty, winter evening, under the light of a full moon

There were 17 fabulous name suggestions for this design, and some very lively voting!

In the end, one name edged its way to the front.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

This design is now called “Star Burst”.

Thank you and congratulations to Kathi Medina for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!
Kathi is from San Diego, California, USA

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #463

New Free Motion Quilting Design #463, "Autumn Swirl"

I’ve heard from some of you that backtracking is hard or that you’re concerned with the density of some designs, especially when stitching on a longarm.

Well, this one’s for you!

There were many wonderful 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, January 25, 2026.

This design is now called “Autumn Swirl”.

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

Sign up for my 

Free Motion Quilting - Design of the Month 

to learn how to stitch this, and other wonderful free motion quilting designs.

You'll find all the information under the 

Register Now - Virtual Classes 

Tab at the top of this page.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #462

New Free Motion Quilting Design #462, "Popularity"

More playing around with straight-line connecting stitches.

This time, the connection becomes part of the individual leaf motifs.

Named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, January 18, 2026, this design is now called “Popularity”.

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

Exciting News!
New Free Motion Quilting - Block of the Month, registering now.
For further information click on the Registering Now -Virtual Classes tab at the top this page.

Also booking now, virtual and in person workshops for guilds, groups and conferences for 2026/2027/2028

Contact me at juliesquiltclass@gmail.com

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #461

New Free Motion Quilting Design #461, "A Travelling Vine"

To stitch a free motion quilting design in a continuous line (without breaking your thread), there needs to be some way of connecting the individual design elements.

I usually make this “travelling line” blend into the design, but I wanted to play around with an obvious, straight, joining line.

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, January 11, 2026.

This design is now called “A Travelling Vine”.

What a brilliant play on words!

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

Exciting News!
Register for my new program and learn from the comfort of home!

Free Motion Quilting - Block of the Month

Click on the Register Now, Virtual Classes Tab at the top of this page for more information and registration links.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #460

New Free Motion Quilting Design #460, "Space Dots"

I'm in the home stretch of my game of catch-up. 😂

The first new Free Motion Quilting design of 2026, inspired by the New Year and exciting advances in technology, has been named.

The winner was chosen by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram) at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

This design is now called “Space Dots”. What fun!

Thank you and congratulations to Susan Davis of Carpinteria, California for suggesting this wonderful, winning name!

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #459

New Free Motion Quilting Design #459, "Poinsettia Pleasure"

The final new, Free Motion Quilting design of 2025, was inspired by the poinsettias used to decorate our homes for the holidays.

I find these plants incredibly beautiful in both their original vibrant red and all of the lovely new colourful varieties.

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, December 28, 2025.

This design is now called “Poinsettia Pleasure”.

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

Hot Tip!
Practice stitching new designs on small fabric “sandwiches” before quilting your quilt.
This will allow you to learn how to move fluidly through the design without having to think about where to go next.

Julies Name Game - New Free Motion Quilting Design #458

New Free Motion Quilting Design #458, "Spruce Berry"

This new Free Motion Quilting design was inspired by all the beautiful greenery used to decorate for Christmas.

It was named by popular vote (Facebook & Instagram), with a little help from a random name picker, at 6:00 PM (PDT) on Sunday, December 21, 2025.             (Yep, I'm behind and playing a fun game of catch-up!)

This design is now called “Spruce Berry”.

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

Hot Tip!
The best way to design, or learn how to stitch the repeat of a new, Free Motion Quilting design is to draw it first.