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Greetings!
I am writing this newsletter in moments of found time -- my two grandchildren are visiting this week (along with their parents!) Polly and I have been doing some Christmas baking; Emmett, who is only 5 months old, isn't quite up to that activity yet but he's happy to watch!  Earlier this year, editors from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine came to visit my home and shop. They took some beautiful pictures and decided to feature a tumbling blocks quilt I was making for Emmett. You can view a free slide show of photos taken at my home and the Studio on APQ's website. And we have Building Blocks Quilt Kits available if you'd like to make the quilt.
This newsletter also wraps up Jinny's Journey,
our 2011 block-of-the-month quilt, and has information on the results of last month's poll and my plans for the 2012 quilt. You're going to love it!
I'd like to learn a little more about how you make your quilts. Please answer my one-question poll on your preferences: Last, but not least, I would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season. I love connecting with you through these newsletters and through your notes, pictures and emails. Keep them coming, and look for the next newsletter on January 7!
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What's Happening at jinnybeyer.com
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A Gift Idea for Friends & Family
 For years we have been pleased to carry the beautiful work of Oklahoma artisan Gary White in our retail shop. His wooden boxes and cutting boards feature intricate quilt motifs, some custom-designed just for the Studio.
Right now, we have a limited supply of his handmade cheese/cutting boards available on our website. The boards are $33 each and are available with the star motifs shown, while supplies last.
 A Gift Certificate for a Fellow Quilter or . . . Yourself!
If you're struggling to find the right gift for a quilter in your life, or if someone might need help with a gift for you, a Jinny Beyer Studio Gift Certificate might be just the right thing. They're available in a variety of value starting at $25 and they ship free!
Jinny Beyer Studio Gift Certificates
For more gift ideas, check out the Gift Section on our website.
 Avoid the Upcoming Price Increase on Jinny Beyer Palette Fabrics
So, through December 11, you can order any fabric in the collection at the current $9.50 per yard price, while supplies last. It's a good opportunity to add some wonderful fabrics to your stash and beat the price increase!
Jinny Beyer Palette Collection
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Ask Jinny: Help me with my hand quilting!
| Recently, I've received a large number of emails from quilters with questions about or problems with hand quilting. There are so many factors that can influence your success in hand quilting. Let's take a look at a few here, but for the complete tip, visit my website. You'll get tips on keeping your thread tangle-free and unbroken, how to more easily thread a needle, and get to see a video of spoon quilting in action!
See the complete hand quilting tip here.
In addition, if you're a hand quilter, keep your eyes out for our next Weekly Web Special, beginning on Wednesday. We'll have a wide variety of hand-quilting tools and supplies on sale, including my book, Quiltmaking by Hand!
Thread
 | | YLI Hand Quilting Threads |
There are so many different threads on the market, but it's important to use a thread designed for hand quilting. These threads are thicker than a regular piecing thread, and are typically "glazed" so they pass smoothly through the fabric and batting.
These days, I'm using YLI's hand-quilting threads. I generally like the quilting to fade into the overall quilt, so I usually choose a coordinating thread that's just a touch darker than the fabric. If my stitches are going to cross fabrics in a variety of colors, I'll choose a neutral like a mid-grey or taupe. But I use lots of black, cream and gold, too!
Needles
Most people use a "between" needle for quilting. The size of the needle is very much a question of personal preference -- and remember that with needles, the smaller the number, the larger the needle! I use a Size 11, but I've seen beautiful quilting done with larger needles. In addition, you may find you prefer a certain brand of needle. I only use John James Gold'n Glide needles: they are teflon coated so I find they pass more smoothly through the fabric.
Start with the smallest needle that feels good to you, and then drop down a size once you're comfortable. And remember that needles do go dull! If it doesn't hurt when you prick yourself, or if you find it harder to bring the needle up through the back, it's time to use a new needle.
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Here I am working on Emmett's quilt which is featured in the February 2012 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. |
The Stitch
I usually use quilting frame, but if I have a tight deadline and a smaller project, I will use a hoop since it's more portable.
And for more than 10 years, I have been using a spoon on the under-side of my hoop or frame. It saves fingers and for me produces smaller and more uniform stitches.
Do you have a design, color or quilting question for Jinny? Send an email to askjinny@jinnybeyer.com. Although she can't respond personally to your messages, she will select questions with broad appeal to be addressed in this newsletter and on the website. |
2012 Block-of-the-Month News
| Last month we asked you what kind of quilt you'd like to see for our 2012 block-of-the-month.
 A block-based quilt was the clear winner, garnering 20% more votes than a medallion-
style quilt. However, the appliqué & patchwork vs. patchwork only question was much closer: 54% of you would like to see both styles used in the quilt, versus 48% for patchwork only!
So, our quilt for 2012 will be block-based. The blocks will be traditional patchwork with optional applique elements for some of the blocks. I've been making the final tweaks to the pattern and layout this past week. Next, the Studio elves will do their magic, writing the pattern and making the quilt to test the pattern.
Next month, you'll get to see the quilt (it will have several design options), and the first block patterns will be available in the February newsletter. I know you're going to love it! |
Jinny's Journey Block of the Month - Quilting Designs
| If you've been keeping up with the monthly pattern section, you should have a gorgeous new quilt top completed. But it's not a quilt until it's quilted!
 One of the most frequent questions I get from quilters is, "How should I quilt this quilt?" There's never any one right answer, but I thought you might enjoy some quilting suggestions for Jinny's Journey.
One of my staffers, Diane Kirkhart, designed the quilting motifs for the quilt. Aren't they gorgeous? With all that open space, we thought the quilt would really be enhanced with some inspired-by-tradition designs. Diane created some feather-based waves, a fanciful flourish or two, and some rope cables. All the designs are available for download.
Remember, the free patterns are only available via the link below so if you don't download the pattern right away, be sure to save this email. The patterns will be available free only through January 31, 2012. After that, the only way to get the pattern will be to purchase it. (But don't worry, we'll remind you again in January!)
[Download link for Subscribers Only]
Ready to make the quilt? We have complete kits and patterns ready to ship. The kit is available with three different border color options!
See them all here.
Happy quilting!
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