3 Things I Wish I Knew About Teaching Live Online for Quilt Guilds and Creative Educators

Discover what Lyric Kinard learned teaching live on Zoom—why connection matters more than perfection and how to start teaching online with confidence.

When the world shut down and my fully booked year of travel teaching for quilt guilds and creative workshops around the world came to an abrupt halt, it was shocking and depressing. We waited for a bit, hoping things might go back to normal—but it quickly became clear that the “normal” we knew wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

I had a choice: sit and wallow, or figure out how to keep teaching and stay connected to the incredible quilting and creative communities that have shaped my career.

So I dove headfirst into live Zoom teaching and virtual lectures—even though I had never done it before.

I’d already been teaching on-demand online courses, so using video didn’t scare me. What did feel daunting, though, was figuring out how to translate the warm, hands-on energy of an in-person quilt guild meeting into a tiny digital square on a screen.

During those first few months of teaching live online, I was messy with platform controls, experimented with half a dozen camera setups, and chased the light as clouds rolled past my windows. Sometimes the Wi-Fi even took a coffee break mid-demo.

But the need to stay connected was stronger than my need for perfection.

Like many of you, I teach because I love that sense of community—the laughter, the shared discoveries, and that magic lightbulb moment when a student truly gets it. Quilt guilds have always been the heartbeat of our craft, and helping them stay alive and connected through virtual teaching was worth every technical hiccup.

It was messy. It was imperfect.
And it was absolutely worth it.

Looking back, those first months taught me far more than how to use Zoom. They changed the way I think about connection, technology, and what it really means to teach creatively online.

Here are three things I wish I’d known before I started teaching online quilting workshops and creative classes.

Lesson #1: Why Connection Beats Perfection When You Teach Live Online

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from hundreds of online workshops, it’s this: your students don’t need a flawless production—they need you.

In those early Zoom days, my setup was a comedy of errors. Bad angles. Flickering light. The occasional upside-down camera feed. But my students didn’t care. They were just happy to see familiar faces, work with their hands, and feel that spark of creative energy again.

Teaching crafts online isn’t about perfect lighting or edited video. It’s about real connection—the kind that makes people feel seen, encouraged, and capable.

If your students can see your hands, hear your voice, and feel your enthusiasm, you’ve already created something valuable.
Start where you are. A genuine smile and a well-placed lamp go a long way. The rest will come with time and practice.

Lesson #2: The Tech Isn’t the Enemy — Simple Tools for Online Teaching Success

In the beginning, I wrestled with technology like a child in a mud puddle.

One week I tried using a second device for camera angles. The next week I experimented with a wired connection. There were feedback loops, echoing microphones, and the inevitable “Can everyone hear me?”

But every misstep taught me something useful.

Eventually, I learned what equipment I actually needed (hint: not much) and what I didn’t (fancy mics, multiple tripods, or a degree in computer science).

Technology can feel intimidating at first, but it’s not out to get you—it’s your creative ally. The tools available today—Zoom, smartphones, and even free editing apps—make it possible to teach beautifully with minimal gear.

You don’t have to master everything at once. Learn one small thing each time you teach. Confidence grows from experimentation, not perfection.

And remember: the goal isn’t to become a tech expert. It’s to share your art and knowledge with clarity, joy, and ease.

Lesson #3: Teaching Online Helps You Reach More Students Than Ever

Before the pandemic, my teaching calendar was packed with travel. I flew from guild to guild, hauling quilts, suitcases, and samples through airports. I loved it—but my reach was limited by geography and time.

Then something unexpected happened.

Once I began offering live Zoom quilting classes and virtual creative workshops, my audience expanded overnight. Students who had never been able to attend an in-person workshop—people in rural areas, other countries, or those with accessibility needs—suddenly showed up on my screen.

Teaching online didn’t replace the intimacy of the classroom; it extended it. It made creative education more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable.

If you’re worried that online teaching won’t feel “real,” I promise—it can be every bit as meaningful. The laughter, the problem-solving, the lightbulb moments—they all still happen. They just happen from the comfort of home.

What I Know Now About Teaching Creative Workshops Online

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade those early, messy Zoom days for anything. They reminded me that teaching—whether in a guild hall or through a webcam—has never been about perfection. It’s about connection, courage, and showing up with a heart willing to share the joy of creativity.

You don’t need a studio. You don’t need fancy editing. You just need to start.

Once you take that first brave step, everything else becomes easier.

If Video Is What’s Holding You Back…

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

The Video Making Crash Course was created for creative teachers like you who want to get comfortable on camera using the tools you already have. You’ll learn simple ways to film, light, and record your lessons so your students can see your work clearly and hear your voice with confidence—no expensive gear required.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Teach what you love.

Your students are waiting—and they don’t need you to be perfect.
They just need you to show up.

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