This week Craftsy released the last segment of the 2015 Block of the Month class. It has been quite a journey over the past 20 months from the time they first contacted me with the proposal to the final lesson.
The first few months were spent working out the details of the contract and deciding on the direction of the quilt. The contract was not signed until late May and filming of the lessons was scheduled for late August. There was a lot to be done in a very short period of time.
I designed the quilt, did a digital mockup, and received Craftsy’s approval of the design. Diane Kirkhart tested the pattern and made the actual quilt. She worked with me to make the step-outs and both of us worked non-stop on the project throughout the summer of last year. I never could have made the filming deadline without her help.
I was assigned a producer who basically created the script for the class. For two months, at least four times a week, we had phone conversations of up to two hours going through all the details of production, what would be done when and what props and step-outs we needed.
From the get go, I wanted to design a quilt that had a lot of different techniques so that there would be something new each month. Blocks were organized by technique and difficulty with the easier ones being in the first months and the more complex ones coming later. Both hand and machine piecing tips were explained as well as two different applique techniques. Most of all, I wanted to pass on my love of hand piecing and the relaxation simple stitching by hand can bring.
For the filming I was told I needed 12 different outfits. I have seen shows where the clothes of the presenter clash with the quilt or project being shown, so I was determined that what I wore would coordinate with the colors of the quilt. I went through my closet and found some things that would work and then I went shopping to fill in the gaps.
I spent a week in Denver in August of 2014 with the producer and the filming crews. They were all wonderful and it was quite a hectic time. But we filmed all twelve months of lessons during that time, spent time on publicity shots, had to shut down for a period because a thunderstorm with hail pelted down and wreaked havoc on the sound system. But in the end we made the deadline. They were a great group to work with.
Was it a lot of work? Definitely yes! But when this note was posted the day the last class aired, it made all the work and effort involved worthwhile.
“Jinny, thank you so much for such a wonderful class. I loved that it forced me to slow down and enjoy the process. I found hand piecing to be very relaxing and forgiving as well as very sturdy. I always assumed it would not be as stable as machine quilting but I was wrong. I also love the softer feel of the hand piecing. I just can’t believe the talent you have and obviously the patience it took you to design this quilt. I am so grateful that you shared your talents with us……”
It is messages like that which warm the heart of any teacher and make all of the hard work worthwhile.
The 2015 Block of the Month class will remain on Craftsy as a free class. If you didn’t sign up, you still can do so. You can go back and watch segments over and over. Even if you don’t want to make the quilt, you may learn some new tips by watching the videos.
If you enjoyed this class, in January we will be debuting my 2016 Block of the Month quilt, Cosmos. The quilt pattern is free to JINNY BEYER STUDIO newsletter subscribers and each month there will be a link to the pattern for that month.
Please join me for another block of the month!
Jinny
This truly proved to be a wonderful experience. I love the hand quilting as I grew up watching my grandmother hand piecing and then quilting her quilts. In 2013 my sister and I got to visit your studio. Then, I read your book Quiltmaking by Hand. From that point on I was hooked. Must admit I have slowed down the last month or so do to other commitments ; am anxiously awaiting the January slow- down in order to put my blocks together. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much, Jinny! I find it hard to believe I was a one-month-old quilter when your 2015 BOM debuted. This year has been quite the adventure, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the lessons, seeing you in action, but most of all, falling in love with the simple mindfulness of hand piecing. Passing on your love of quilting, and passion for your craft, via this year’s BOM is a gift beyond measure, and one that will surely continue to inspire for years to come. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2016! Thanks a million!
I just finished watching December’s lesson last night. What a great series. I received the BOM kit yesterday, so am looking forward to starting it soon. I love hand work! It is so relaxing compared to sitting at a sewing machine. I took your Quiltmaking By Hand class in March and thoroughly enjoyed it too. You are an excellent teacher.
Thank you!
I did enjoy the Craftsy Block of the Month, Jinny. The colors in your fabrics are splendid!! I will send a request for your newsletter so that I can consider the 2016 BOM.
Thank you for your designs.
Thank YOU! Jinny for a great class, I have learned a lot and have enjoyed the entire process. I have appliquéd before, and done paper piecing before, and I still learned some new techniques, and I too love to do some hand piecing, gives me an excuse to sit down for a change. I am a bit behind in my block production and probably won’t finish up until after the holidays, but I am anxious to see the blocks all come together. I’m looking forward to the 2016 BOM! I don’t need another quilt, but that probably won’t stop me. Thanks again for a great learning experience and for being such a great patient teacher.
Please subscribe me to your newsletter.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the interest in the newsletter. To sign up for our newsletter, simply go to http://www.jinnybeyer.com. You will see where to sign up on the left side of the homepage.
Thank you for the wonderful project. I have yet to finish mine, but will be working on it soon. The fabric was absolutely gorgeous and your videos were fantastic. Thanks again, Jinny. Really wish I lived close to you!
Thank you so much for the gorgeous design; I loved it from the moment I saw it ane am delighted with my quilt. I finished it in October so I could show it at our quilt show the first week in November. While it did not win viewer’s choice, it did receive MANY great comments from guild members and from show attendees. I do not usually do BOM except by saving up the designs until I am ready to make the quilt and I seldom buy kits, but your kits have been the exception due to exceptional fabric choice and value.
I am making a 5 block wall hanging to donate to the guild’s next show auction and a handbag from the scraps. Thank you again Barb
What good news – another BOM! Signed-up and ready to … I hope we can purpose the block fabric from your studio so we sew along with you. I can’t wait!
I love this quilt and really want to make it, but the cost of buying from the US to the UK is terrible once customs have added on 20% vat, and handling charge and custom duty. Is there anywhere in the UK that I can get the fabric, is there a shop that sells it here?
I made your Moonglow quilt as the first quilt and as a raw beginner – it was a long time in the making but so beautiful finished. This one has the same colour palette.
Best wishes,
Sue
Our suggestion is for you to purchase the kit directly from Craftsy. Their price is greatly discounted and is far lower than what you would find from anywhere else. Even after paying the vat and postage you would still get a very good deal. You would have to contact RJR directly to find out who in the UK sells Jinny Beyer fabric and distributes it. We do not have that information.
Dear, Jinny.
I have thoroughly enjoyed and been inspired by you in every class I have attended in the studio. I have long wished to bring my dear quilting buddy with me to Virginia but it has never worked out. When your Craftsy BOM came out, I decided to make it and invited my friend to make one too. We’ve had many wonderful hours together working on the blocks and I’ve finally been able to share you with her. She’s now a confident hand piecer and even completed a border print tumbling block quilt top this summer.
Thank you for being a wonderful teacher and sharing what you know.
Thank you so much for those kind words!
Love your work and your fabrics.
Is the fabric kit still available for this quilt. I love the colors and just can’t see it in any other color.
Yes, kits are available in four colors, you can find the product page here.