Both Lectures and Workshops are available for Zoom and In-Person
Lecture:
Now You See It, Now You Don’t. The Magic of Disappearing Blocks.
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Learn about the magic and beauty of disappearing blocks with this interactive online lecture, demo and trunk show. Using 3 cameras, one on me and the quilts, one pointing straight down at the cutting mat, and one close-up on the quilts, I will be able to show you how easy it is to turn simple blocks into beautiful complex patterns. Using the Zoom format you will be able to ask questions for me to answer during the presentation. I will also show you how different block designs can be enhanced by color choices or slight modifications to make even more interesting full quilts.
I will also open the Zoom Session before, or keep it open after the lecture so that your guild can have a virtual meeting and allow your members a show and tell.
If some of your members are nervous about attending a Zoom presentation, I can host a complementary “trial” meeting sometime before I am scheduled to speak. This way they can download the application and be sure they know how to log in before the actual lecture.
Workshop: Making Magic, a Disappearing Block Sampler Quilt
This 6 hour workshop will be structured similar to a “sew along”. There are 9 blocks and I will teach each one in turn. I have 2 cameras, one on me and the sewing machine and one pointing straight down at the cutting mat and pressing surface. I will demonstrate how to make the block along with little tips on accurate piecing and pressing. The students will then follow along and take turns showing the class how their block came out. The Zoom features allow me to answer questions immediately and help anyone who might be having a little trouble. As some students finish before others, I will show other possible layouts and talk about things like how to enlarge the pattern, or use different colors and how these blocks might look in a finished quilt.
This is available as two 3-hour workshops for an additional $50.
To see some student quilts please click here https://questioningquilter.com/student-gallery/
Lecture: Every Last Crumb, An Adventure in Scrap Quilting.
This is a fun, informative and inspirational trek to find the best way to handle a mountain of left-over fabric. I had over 30 years worth of accumulated scraps which threatened to take over my sewing room and consume me. I had to do something. Some of you may have the same problem. Here is how I managed to save myself and actually make some room in my fabric closet. With over two dozen quilts and projects, I will demonstrate some great ways to use that secret treasure hiding in your house. I will also cover basic color and contrast principles to make your scrap beauties really shine.
Below are just a few of the quilts that will be included in the program.
Workshop
“Crumbs to Quilts”
“Crumbs to Quilts” is available
as a 4 or 6 hour workshop where you will learn how to turn the tiniest scraps into a beautiful, quilt.
Have you ever thought about making your own fabric? In this class we will discuss tint, tone, shade, value and scale to take your tiniest scraps and turn them into one-of-a-kind textiles.
My simple, organized method for assembling your curated crumbs results in fabric that is part 
planned, part free-form and totally fun!
We will use this new fabric to make a simple tulip block, but once you master this technique, there is no limit to what you can create.
Fees and details below.
Details
Starting Sept. 1, 2023 my pricing will be as follows:
1 hour Lectures are $400.
4 Hour Workshops are $600. (The 4 Hour Disappearing workshop participants will only be able to complete 5 of the 9 blocks, please contact me to discuss.)
6 Hour Workshops are $700. If you would like this split into (2) 3-hour workshops it would be $750.
I don’t fly, so all in-person events need to be within a 2 hour drive of Berwyn, PA. (Near Philadelphia) But, of course, I will do Zoom anywhere in the world.
Please email me brita@questioningquilter.com with any questions and the dates you are considering. The on-line lectures and workshops have no mileage or lodging requirements. IRS Mileage (currently $0.625/mile) and tolls (calculated using TollGuru) are from Berwyn, PA. (near King of Prussia)
Lodging is required for distances over 70 miles, or multiple day programs over 40 miles away (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Marriott or something of similar quality).
Brita, thank you for the awesome Making Magic workshop! This was also the “first” zoom workshop for our guild. Great feedback from all 14 members who participated. You are an excellent teacher with lots of patience and the extra humor/stories was wonderful. The 3 camera view’s was an added bonus. Time really did fly by. Now I want to make the 3-D Lattice Quilt. So thank you again for a great 6 hour workshop that was worth every dollar! Happy Quilting, Connie Richards, president of Starlight Piecemaker’s, Booneslick Trail Quilt Guild
I am so happy that you enjoyed it. It was great working with your guild.
I just bought and downloaded a disappearing block sampler quilt size 39 x 39. I am having a really difficult time with blocked number four, disappearing hourglass I don’t seem to be able to get my Sims lined up and my blocks are we out of shape. In order to line them up any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated thank you
your on the bias… so they can get distorted… over size your block maybe 1/2 inch… and then square them up
Brita…I found your web site and find the disappearing 4-Patch intriguing. I have made a twin size quilt using that pattern and love how it turned out. I am intrigued, however, with the last quilt you displayed in your video on YouTube…the black and white one that looks dimensional. Do you have a pattern for that?
Thank you.
Hi Christine,
The pattern you are talking about is called 4-Patch Illusion and is available on my Shop Page: https://questioningquilter.com/shop/
Let me know if you have any trouble finding it.
Brita
Brita, thank you so much for your WONDERFUL lecture (Now You See It, Now You Don’t) and the follow-up Workshop, Making Magic! This was our first guild experience using the Zoom format for a lecture and workshop and it was a tremendous success! I received great feedback from our guild members about both the information you provided AND how much they got out of the Zoom presentation. You are a great teacher, and your ability to adapt your teaching style to this new format is amazing. I was a bit concerned about trying to do a 6 hour Workshop via Zoom, but you assured me that this was an “active” workshop, not 6 hours looking at a screen, and you came through on your promise! All of the participants had a great time, and we all got a lot completed during the class. One person wrote me and said she was initially reluctant to take the workshop via Zoom, but she LOVED it. As she said “ What a joy to be able to sew in my studio and not have to haul everything to a meeting hall. Because Brita had great camera views of the sewing and cutting, I could see everything and ask questions. This has just become my favorite way to take a workshop!”. So, again Kudos to you and I can’t wait to get back to my sewing machine and start sewing square together and cutting them up! Cheers, Marlene Kleven, Program Chairperson, Fidalgo Island Quilters.
I was thrilled to be a part of your recent DISAPPEARING BLOCKS presentation and was so happy to experience an instructor/lecturer whose program was tailored to participants of varying skill levels. I loved the fact that we finished all 9 blocks and had a top made. As soon as the class concluded, I went back to the patterns and picked out my favorite 4 and ear-marked them for future Quilts of Valor tops.
Thanks for this workship.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in your “Making Magic, a Disappearing Block Sampler Quilt” workshop. You did a great job with the workshop and keeping your students on task. I was also thrilled to actually have a completed quilt top at the end of our class. Sashing and all were DONE! That has never happened before when I have taken any class or workshop. Thanks for adapting to our new world and coming to us virtually.
Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I enjoyed the class