Beatrix Potter Workshop
Beatrix Potter: Quilt Tales from the English Lakes
The World's Online Debut of the Textiles of Beatrix Potter
- Two-day virtual workshop
- Premieres LIVE on June 7-8
- Lifetime access to all recordings and materials
- Questions? Head over to our FAQ page
Our summer adventure celebrates the quintessential charm of the English Lake District and is the first online workshop to study the textiles associated with Beatrix Potter—ever!
Join Jenni Smith, Kay Walsh, and special guests as they offer you an exclusive look at some of the properties that shaped Beatrix Potter’s life as an author, illustrator, and more! Such destinations include her beloved Hill Top farm, where they interview Property Curator Alice Sage; Wray Castle, where they filmed the feature Potter Wedding Quilt (1863) with National Trust Conservator Michelle Harper; and The Lingholm Estate, where they completed portions of various sewing tutorials.
In this workshop, you’ll learn to stitch your very own Potter-family-inspired mini quilt, designed after Jenni and Kay’s memorable encounter with the original. You will also get to soak in the incredible landscapes, learn more about the region’s textile history, meet the designer and producer of Luna Lapin, and take a tour of Grasmere Gingerbread.
Two Ways to Register!
Best value! Access the next three of our annual Adventure Workshops at a 25% discount. Plus, between workshops, you’ll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, bonus tutorials, and more.
Purchase a single-ticket pass for this workshop. Once your registration is complete, you will gain access to an exclusive Attendee Hub for easy access to all the details and resources for this event.
About the Project
In true Jenni and Kay fashion, this workshop will teach you how to stitch a special keepsake: your very own mini quilt, designed after their memorable encounter with the original Potter Wedding Quilt (1863). This project is suitable for all sewing abilities and is perfect to build your skills and confidence in foundation paper piecing and both machine and hand embroidery.
In the center, they have focused on charming elements from nature, including acorns, flowers, and leaves to channel Beatrix’s love of the English countryside. You could work with pretty wool felts and free motion stitching, choose hand embroidery to embrace a slower process, or even combine the two. For the pieced blocks, ginghams and honeycomb patterns swirl to add movement and, as always, there is plenty of scope to add your own personality through fabric choices and embellishment.
Workshop Highlights
Potter Wedding Quilt & Wray Castle
Although the 1863 Potter Wedding Quilt, made for the wedding of Beatrix’s parents: Helen and Rupert Potter, has rarely been on public display, our team was able to gain private access to film the quilt in all of its glorious detail at Wray Castle with National Trust Conservator Michelle Harper as their expert guide.
Hill Top & The Lingholm Estate
Enjoy a very exclusive, virtual tour of Hill Top and a fascinating interview with Property Curator Alice Sage—which includes a look at another (surprise) Potter quilt rarely seen by visitors to this world famous site. Plus, Jenni and Kay filmed portions of their tutorials at The Lingholm Estate, where Beatrix spent many summer holidays while growing up.
Mini Quilt Project
You will learn how to make—and put your own spin on—a mini quilt inspired by the original Potter Wedding Quilt. This will be a special heirloom brimming with history and memories of our shared experience from the English Lakes!
More Lake District Quilts
There is no such thing as too many quilts. That is why Jenni and Kay are prepared to introduce you to some additional treasures from the region that were made around the same time period as the Potter Wedding Quilt and are currently in possession of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, including more wedding quilts!
Stitching Luna Lapin
Luna Lapin, a well-known bunny in the creative world, hops into the workshop as well. Designed and produced by Sarah Peel of CoolCrafting in the Lake District, Luna Lapin is made by crafters around the globe. And there was no way that Jenni and Kay were going to head home without a personal interview with Sarah and a tour of her store first.
Grasmere Gingerbread
Jenni and Kay took a peek at the legendary Grasmere Gingerbread, a teeny-tiny sweet shop located in a 1630s school. Invented by Victorian-era cook Sarah Nelson in 1854, Grasmere’s secret recipes are sought after and enjoyed by people worldwide.
Register Today!
Best value! Access the next three of our annual Adventure Workshops at a 25% discount. Plus, between workshops, you’ll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, bonus tutorials, and more.
Purchase a single-ticket pass for this workshop. Once your registration is complete, you will gain access to an exclusive Attendee Hub for easy access to all the details and resources for this event.
