Umbrella Class via Zoom

This is the first time I have done a zoom umbrella class. I have done zoom classes before. Honestly, it’s not my favorite way to conduct a class.

Pros:

1. You can reach people from all over the US, heck, all over the world if you want to.
2. You can allow for video recording of a segment of it (although when I tried to do this my entire screen went blank and I couldn’t record. I was using a document camera with an app and something went dreadfully wrong. I was so wishing I had my 22 year old computer boy here).
3. People don’t have to leave their home. If they’re not feeling well they can stay in and watch, or they can take the class in their jammies!
4. No need to drag your sewing machine and all your supplies out to another location.
5. You can converse with people from all over the country that are taking the class and get to know what is going on in other places.
6. Great for people that don’t want to drive long distances or don’t want to drive in bad weather (a particular problem here in Wisconsin).

Cons:

1. You can take the class in your jammies. (Sometimes staying in your jammies just makes you feel like a sick person).
2. You cannot interact as easily with each other in the class. Only one person can talk at a time on zoom.
3. You cannot see the inside of the quilt shop and all of the gorgeous fabrics, and you cannot make purchases on the day of class.
4. It’s not the same human to human interaction.
5. It’s hard to see the projects and fabric everyone else is working on.
6. So much of quilting and sewing is a tactile experience. You cannot feel the work of everyone else.
7. You can’t share sweets and goodies.
8. It’s not an outing if you’re just staying in your house.

I think that the cons outweigh the pros but there are some very good points to be made. Either way, I will be offering classes in both forms.

So what did we make? Umbrellas! Here is a photo of my umbrella.

The umbrellas get waterproofed after they are done. Some of the class participants lived in Arizona where the sun is absolutely scorching. They’re not going to waterproof theirs, as they are using it for protection from the sun.

Here’s Cindy Pokorny’s umbrella.

I love the fabric that Cindy chose. She did a great job. I can’t wait for the photos of the other umbrellas to start coming my way. When they are completely finished they will send them to me.