Lectures & Workshops
I have delivered lectures and workshops in three countries (UK, Japan and USA) and both online (Zoom and other tools) and in-person. Please contact me if you are interested in having me speak or teach at your event. Information about costs is at the end of this page.
Each lecture is one hour of content - generally 45 minutes of speaking followed by a Q&A.
New for 2025: Quilts from Peru
In 2024 I achieved the dream of a lifetime and spent two weeks traveling through Peru. Join me in uncovering the remarkable textile history of the region and see how those textile traditions are being maintained today. Finally, see how everything, from sand dunes to colonial carvings, inspired my new series of quilts.
New for 2025: My Life in English Paper Piecing
This trunk show style lecture begins with my own start in English Paper Piecing, as a child in England. We'll look at how this interest blossomed and accompanied me as I moved around the world and modern trends developed. Attendees will leave with a full appreciation for the breadth of this technique.
English Paper Piecing Then and Now
This talk goes into the history of EPP and showcases classic patterns and designs before moving forward to the current day and looking at some of the recent innovations. Attendees will be keen to get started on their own projects when they hear about the ease and transportability of this method.
You Made a Quilt - Now What?
You've made a beautiful quilt. Now what? You might be giving it away or putting it in a closet until it is needed, but you could do so much more with it. Together we look at taking a photo of your quilt and transferring it into holiday cards, wrapping paper, clothes, shoes, or art to go on your wall. I'll share lots of tips and tricks plus a handout to provide you with all the resources you need to get started.
Kick Out Your Inner Critic & Make It!
Is everyone else making amazing quilts and yours don't seem to measure up? Or maybe you don't enter your quilts into shows because you don't think they're good enough? Or even you'd like to call yourself an Artist with a capital A but you're embarrassed. Anything sound familiar? Imposter syndrome is something that impacts almost everybody at some point. But there's good news! It doesn't have to control you. In this lecture we look at recognizing what's happening and how to conquer those fears. Ideal for encouraging people to enter quilt shows and share their work.
Contact Me about a Lecture
Workshops
English Paper Pieced Portraits
Use hexagons to design and begin a portrait of yourself or your pet. Use Bea's easy, low-tech, paper-based method to design your quilt, pillow cover or wall hanging. See how easy it is to play with scale and abstraction to make a design as simple or as complex as you like! In the half day class you can expect to finish your pattern. In the full day class we'll start cutting and stitching and talk about different finishing and quilting methods.
Make a Kaleidoscope Quilt - Using Almost Any Fabric!
Turn a single piece of fabric into a whirling, mesmerizing design. You'll receive guidance on buying your fabric in advance of the class and then get to work on your first quilt. In the half day class students will learn the technique and get started on making their own quilt. In the full day class we'll go further into how to get different effects and how to make the most of the technique and layout.
English Paper Piecing for Beginners
A half-day introduction to this style of patchwork, different designs, and hands-on work with 1" hexagons. We'll cover 3 different ways to construct your pieces and then how to join them and work with the finished piece. Attendees will leave with a pin cushion or coaster they have made themselves!
Creating your own designs with English Paper Piecing
A half-day talk and workshop about using inspiration from art, history and the world around you to make your own designs. Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo with them and will start developing their own design during the workshop.
Make a Coat from your Quilt
A full-day workshop where everyone makes a coat! I help students choose their size and then discuss pattern placement on the quilt and the effects that can be achieved. We then go step by step through assembling the coat, binding the edges, and simple finishing techniques. (Quilted fabric can be substituted for an actual quilt.)
Make a Sew Together Bag
My most popular workshop! Also available on demand. Spend a day with me walking you step by step through making what will be your favorite bag for notions, toiletries and for making as a gift. With 3 zippered pockets, 4 other pockets, carrying handles and an optional needle place and pin cushion this bag has it all.
The Joys of Fabric Weaving
A half-day workshop looking at two ways of weaving with fabric strips. Make a pot holder, placemat, or something else! Covers both plain weaving and triaxial (mad) weaving.
UV Resin for Quilters
This workshop never fails to please! A half-day workshop where everyone makes 3-8 items they can start using immediately. Pendants, earrings, brooches, name & pet tags, coasters, needle minders, zip pulls and more! You can be wearing your first pair of earrings within the first half hour.
Natural Bundle Dyeing
Use the bounty of nature to dye cotton and silk fabric. We'll talk about local plants that can be used as well as exploring widely used dye materials like avocados, onions, red cabbage, cochineal and more.This half day workshop can be combined with the any of my other dyeing/printing workshops to make a full day or a two-day class.
Gelli Plate Printing
Let's get creative and spend time printing on fabric or paper/card. We'll revel in the freedom of playing with color and shape while learning specific techniques. This half day workshop can be combined with the any of my other dyeing/printing workshops to make a full day or a two-day class.
Cyanotype Printing on Fabric
Using specially prepared fabric we will use the sun (or possibly a UV lamp) to create amazing print using everyday objects. This half day workshop can be combined with the any of my other dyeing/printing workshops to make a full day or a two-day class.
Traditional Japanese Shibori Dyeing with Indigo
Learn the traditional japanese techniques to create beautiful blue and white designs on cotton or silk, yardage or existing garments or items like tea towels. This half day workshop can be combined with the any of my other dyeing/printing workshops to make a full day or a two-day class.
Block Printing on Fabric
Block printing two ways. First we'll use a traditional block and students will carve their own unique design, testing it on paper before using it to print their own cotton fabric. Then we'll create a repeating pattern that can be used to create yardage using a common baking tool. This half day workshop can be combined with any of my other dyeing/printing workshops to make a full day or a two-day class.
Supply lists are available for all workshops.
Quilt Guild Fees
As of September 2025:
- An in-person 45 min lecture plus 15-30 mins of combined trunk show and Q&A is $400. (The same lecture via Zoom is $350.)
- An in-person workshop is $120/hour plus any additional material fees (i.e. the UV resin workshop requires resin, inclusions, disposable table protectors and so on, while a Kaleidoscope class has no additional costs as student will bring their own fabric.) The table above shows the maximum numbers for these classes.
- An online workshop is also $120/hour for the first 25 people, and $150/hour for up to 50 people.
- There are no travel costs if you are within 10 miles of Oakland CA, or if the talk is online. For further distances the IRS mileage rate will apply.
- Discounts are available when you book a workshop and lecture together.
- Book a lecture and a half day workshop and receive a $50 discount
- Book a lecture and a full day workshop and receive a $100 discount
Workshops for Other Organizations
Where am I?
I teach several times a month in San Francisco at WorkshopSF. My calendar shows my current teaching and lecturing plans.
In the past I have been hosted by: Peninsula Quilters Guild, San Fernando Valley Quilt Association, River City Quilters Guild, San Francisco Quilters Guild, Long Beach Modern Quilt Guild, Gold Bug Quilt Guild, Craftcation 2024, Valley Quilt Guild, Central Florida Modern Quilt Guild, Carquinez Strait Stitchers, QUILT2024's Summer Camp, East Bay Heritage Quilters, Waterloo County Quilt Guild
