Meet Jinny Beyer
Jinny Beyer began quilting in 1972 when she and her family lived in India and Nepal. Using her simple drafting system and inspired by the culture of the Far East, she created her "Ray of Light" medallion quilt. In 1978 this creation won the top prize over 10,000 entries in the Great American Quilt Contest sponsored by Good Housekeeping and the U.S. Historical Society. This catapulted her into the quilting spotlight where she began her career as a professional quilter, author, lecturer, teacher, fabric designer and artist. She is the author of 10 books and three videos and, working with RJR Fashion Fabrics, has designed hundreds of fabrics specifically for the quilt industry. She travels extensively throughout the U.S. and many foreign countries teaching workshops and giving lectures and for 21 years has conducted her own seminar on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
Jinny, her husband and their two dogs and two cats live just outside Washington, D.C. in Great Falls, Virginia. Her creations adorn the beds of a 250-year-old farmhouse, which she and John have renovated. A glimpse into Virginia's past, "The William Gunnell House" has a rich history and is even rumored to have its own "friendly ghost." Jinny has a great respect for history and has conducted extensive research into the background of the house and surrounding area. An avid gardener Jinny has refurbished the gardens around the house and has even added her own touch to the property with her quilt garden. A garden she designed and laid-out like a medallion quilt.
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"Synergy", featured in the February, 2007 issue of McCall's Quilting magazine, this dynamic design uses a simple, foundation block to create a spinning illusion. |
Jinny designed this quilt in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. The quilt contains 4,777 pieces and is hand pieced and quilted. It is made only with fabrics she has designed. |
"Stained Glass Star", Jinny's signature design features color shading to create this stunning 3 dimensional star. |
Jinny does all her piecing and quilting by hand. She uses Clover Tailor's chalk to mark her fabrics. She takes her work with her everywhere she travels and loves having her Clover Patchwork Board as a portable work surface. Her favorite scissors are the Clover Patchwork scissors. Jinny is able to cut through eight layers of fabric as if it were butter. They are lightweight, made of durable stainless steel and are comfortable to hold.
Jinny Beyer Studio is located at 776 Walker Road, Great Falls, Virginia. There is always a hubbub of activity going on at the Studio from new book projects, pattern development, magazine articles, Fabric Kit projects and planning the annual Hilton Head Seminar. The Studio produces the Portable Palette and a series of patterns for each of Jinny's fabric collections. The Studio offers mail order; supplying people with out of print Jinny Beyer fabrics or new ones that they cannot find in their local shops. Jinny urges consumers to support their local shop, and order from the Studio only when they cannot find the fabrics locally.
In October 2000, Jinny Beyer Studio moved to a new location and in conjunction with that move opened a retail store. This store feature the entire line of Jinny Beyer fabrics, kits, patterns and books, as well as gift items made with Jinny's fabrics. In addition, there is a wonderful collection of patchwork and sewing related gift items in pewter and silver, pewter dishes made from antique molds, hand made kaleidoscopes and unusual Christmas ornaments. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Visit Jinny Beyer's full line of books, videos, patterns and her latest creations at www.jinnybeyer.com
