Monthly Newsletter From Jinny Beyer Studio

March 3, 2018

Spring clean-up has started a little early around the Beyer household. As I announced in January, my home and gardens will be open to tour as part of Virginia's Historic Garden Week. We've been busy sprucing up the house and getting the garden ready.

The Garden Tour will be held on Tuesday, April 24th from 10am to 4pm and tickets will be available for purchase at the Studio. Visit the Garden Club website for ticket information.

Of course, I'm also working on the new fabric lines, making videos and kits for the new mystery quilt and preparing for upcoming classes. While all of that has been keeping me bustling about it is also so much to look forward to.

Get Ready for Our 2018 BOM, Kyoto Mystery

Kyoto Mystery kits are assembled and waiting! As we have already revealed, the kits come in four colorways using fabrics from the Miyako and Palette collections. The quilt is rectangular, 59" x 63" and the first month's clue will be revealed in the April newsletter.

As with last year's mystery, there will be printed clues and video lessons to take you through each part of the quilt. By the time you receive your last clue, I think you will be surprised at all you have accomplished. These FREE lessons are only available through the newsletter so if you have quilting friends who want to join you, remind them to sign up.

Click here to watch a teaser video of what's to come!

If you would like to be ready when that first clue is released, you can check out the colorways and order kits and pre-printed templates here.

Don't forget that patterns and video lessons for last years' BOM, Moroccan Mystery, are now available for purchase.

Teaching Near & Far

In the coming months I'll be teaching close to home and on the road.

Classes at the Studio - I have five lectures and classes this spring, many in conjunction with the House and Garden Tour. You can see the Studio class schedule here.

Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show - At this annual show, June 1- 3, in nearby Chantilly, Virginia, I will be lecturing and teaching two classes. Click here for more information.

Shipshewana Quilt Festival - June 21 and 22, I will be at this show in Indiana teaching two classes and giving a lecture. You'll find more information on their website here.

Our New Website is Coming Soon

Our new website will be unveiled later this month. While we hope you like the changes, please note that besides the changes to the website, order confirmations will also look different. Our website may be down for a short period of time while we make the change so please be patient.

Staffer Diane on The Quilt Show

When my friend Alex Anderson called me to ask if I knew anyone who makes Millefiori quilts I was thrilled to recommend a member of my staff, Diane Kirkhart. Diane has made several of these breathtaking quilts using various techniques and featuring innovative uses of fabric inspired by the work of Willyne Hammerstein and her book, Millefiori Quilts.

Last summer, Diane taped an episode of The Quilt Show with Alex and her co-host, Ricky Tims, which just premiered last week. What a great job she did! In it, you'll see several shots of the Studio and some very familiar fabric. You could watch Diane's show for free the week of March 4 by clicking here.

Click here to see Millefiori book and supplies.

Ask Jinny - Running Stitch vs. Backstitch for Piecing

A question came through on my blog as to why I use running stitches for hand piecing and not back stitches. The reader pointed out that backstitches were firmer.

Actually, I do a combination of running and backstitches. I take 4-6 stitches on my needle and each time I draw it up I do a backstitch before loading it again. I guess I do it that way because it is how I learned to sew as a child and how I have always done it. I find the method very sturdy and speedy. That said, there are no rules as to how you do it, just do whatever method you prefer.