Jen Kingwell started patchwork and quilting while at nursing school and was hooked immediately. After a distinguished career in emergency, surgical, and finally, midwifery, she purchased a long-arm quilting machine. Shortly after, she opened a quilting and fabric retail outlet. This store quickly doubled in size, spurring Jen to open a second outlet. These businesses were sold to make way for "AmitieÌ Textiles" in Gardenvale, Victoria, Australia. Ninety percent of Jen's work is hand-pieced. It usually has a touch of appliqué and is quilted in the big-stitch method, which she has been doing for twenty years. She has taught patchwork and big-stitch quilting to hundreds of classes since entering the quilting industry. Jen currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.