Monthly Newsletter From Jinny Beyer Studio

May 5, 2012

Greetings!,

Several photos from Australia

Home again! Well, at least for a few weeks.

I just returned from my annual trip to Australia. I spent a week in Melbourne with Sue Bennett, teaching at a workshop and at the Australian Quilt Convention. It was a wonderful show that included a really impressive exhibit of Japanese quilts. And I was so delighted that so many of you stopped by to say hello! Then it was off to Perth for three days at Handcrafter's House, Michelle Pearson's shop. I also managed just a little bit of personal time, visiting family in Sydney.

Later this month, I'll be at another show, this one in Kansas City. The International Quilt Market happens in May and October each year. I'll be there meeting with my contacts at RJR Fabrics (my fabric manufacturer), and scouting the exhibits looking for the latest and greatest to bring back to my shop in Great Falls and for jinnybeyer.com. Then it's off for a quick visit to family on the west coast.

Galway, Ireland

Then in June, I'll be hosting a group of quilters on a nine-day trip to Ireland which includes three days at the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in Galway.

Machu Picchu

In late October, I'll be escorting some intrepid quilters to Peru for a 12-day trip that promises to be just amazing -- Machu Picchu, the Amazon River, and some fabulous train, boat and bus trips.

Perhaps you'd like to join me in Bali in 2013! Sew Many Places and I have just finalized this 10-day trip. It promises to be spectacular. Stay tuned for details!

Last, but not least, I invite all of you to visit the Studio in November of this year during our local Quilters' Quest shop hop. We have a fabulous event planned with lots of fun activities, amazing giveaways, a special fabric available only at the participating shops and much more! Subscribe to our free Quilters' Quest newsletter for discounts, freebies, tips and lots more.
Subscribe to Quilters' Quest free email newsletter

What's New @ jinnybeyer.com

Here's a quick guide to some of the newest items on our website.

New Free Blocks on Quilter's Design Board

There are now 203 free blocks on QDB! Feather Star is the latest. Go find your favorite.

Visit Quilter's Design Board

Great New Iron Caddy Pattern & Kit

I think this must be our best-selling item this year! It's a terrific tote for your iron that opens to a portable pressing pad. It makes up in just a couple of hours and is available for full-size and travel-size irons.

Iron Caddy Details

Snowbirds -- Free Pattern &
Special Kit Savings

Just this week, we made my Snowbirds pattern available as a free download . . . and put the kit on sale (just until Tuesday, May 8!) The kit includes pre-cut swatches of all the fabrics in my Palette Collection for the flying geese. It's a beautiful wall-size quilt and an excellent color reference for your sewing room!
Snowbirds Kit & Free Pattern

New Emerald Isle Fat Quarter Bundles

In anticipation of my trip to Ireland this summer, I've put together three different bundles of shaded green fabrics. Each bundle includes 16 fabrics and there are no repeats across the 48 fabrics. What a way to add to your stash!
Emerald Isle Bundles

Favorite Binding Techniques

Binding isn't everyone's cup of tea but it's one of my favorite parts of quilting -- it neatens everything up and means another project is finally complete!

I've collected here some great videos and reference materials that you might find useful when binding your next project. I haven't tried to cover the basics since that information is widely available. Rather here are some tips and techniques for common problems and unusual situations. I hope you find these helpful.

Turning the Binding to the Front

Usually a quilt binding is stitched down to the front of the quilt and then turned to the back. I do the opposite so that I can carefully match the binding to any design elements (such as a printed border print design) on the quilt top. Read my technique below.
Binding a Quilt the Jinny Beyer Way

Binding Odd Angles

Most quiltmakers quickly learn to handle the mitered 90° angles on a square or rectangular project. However, some projects have sharper or wider angles. This video from Marci Baker of Alicia's Attic is the best demonstration I've ever seen.
Mitered Binding for Unusual Angles

Joining Binding Ends

Getting a smooth, invisible join of the two ends of the binding can be a challenge. Here are two simple techniques that my Studio staff and our customers love.

This is the technique that Studio staffer, Elaine, swears by. Cut the beginning of your strip at a 45° angle, sew the binding down and then use the cut end as your guide for cutting the tail. McCall's Quilting magazine has a video showing the technique.
Watch the McCall's Quilting video

Lots of quilters love the convenience of specialty tools and The Binding Tool is one of our bestsellers by far! Instructions are printed on the tool, and The Missouri Quilt Company put together this video that steps you through the process.
The Binding Tool

Shenandoah Baskets - Month 4

This month's download includes patterns for two blocks, Ash Basket and Cherry Basket.

Half-square triangles form the handle in Ash Basket but create a woven look in the basket portion of the Cherry Basket block. If you love appliqué, you get another chance to add some lovely flowers, but they are completely optional.

If you're just joining the program, there's no need to worry! In addition to this month's blocks, the download link below will give you access to all the materials we've shared so far.

Shenandoah Baskets is available with dark or light backgrounds. The optional floral appliqué is
shown on the light version.

(They are all Adobe PDF files so you must have the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view them.)

Remember that the only way to access the free download page is through this email. So, if you don't download the patterns immediately, be sure to save this email.

[link available to subscribers only]

Ready to make the quilt? We have complete kits ready to go. Don't forget that you can choose Shenandoah Baskets with a dark or light background.

See the kit options here.

Happy quilting!