Teaching Classes
 

I work at Hobby Lobby part time in the fabric department and my boss is always after me to teach a quilting class at the store. I have been quilting for many years, but have never taught. I'd love to do it but I have no idea where to begin. Any advise out there?

I love to teach classes. #1, find out what your boss wants you to teach? Does she have something specific in mind - a particular quilt? Or should you teach a class on trimming blocks or making bindings. If it's a beginning class, show the basics then give them some homework. If you're going to be at the store on subsequent days tell them they can stop in for questions. KISS is the motto. Keep it simple st----. Don't overload them with info unless they ask. If you're going to teach a certain pattern that requires a new ruler, make sure the store has them in stock at the time of the class. And on and on. There's more, but you get the point.

Thanks for your reply Christine. I'll be teaching (for starters) a Quilting 101 type class.

Do I give them a list of things purchase and bring to class? Cutting Mat, Rotary Cutter, etc?
What about fabrics? Have a kit ready for each student or make fabric selection part of the first class?

I was thinking of having them assemble a very basic simple quilt top (lap quilt size) and teach them the importance of keeping the seams exact 1/4", how to press the seams, how to apply sashing and borders and end with a lecture on differences in batting, putting the sandwich together for hand quilting vs. long arm quilting vs. domestic machine quilting and binding the quilt.

I'm planning 4) 2 1/2 hour classes

I know I can do it, just need some guidelines and I really appreciate your help!!!!

I have never taught but I have taken many classes. If it is quilting 101, I would not have them buy and bring things to class. I would have the first class being a review of what to buy and why. IOW, there is a reason you have 45mm, 60mm and the baby rotary cutters. Otherwise, they may buy things that they dont need or things that arent the right thing.

The rest sound perfect!

Very good point seamstome! Thanks. I have never taken a beginner class. I learned the old fashioned way on my grandma's front porch swing.

I know you can do it too. Just remember, if they signed up to listen to you, you know more than they do. The poster for the class should say (for instance), Quilting 101, accurate cutting and how to read your ruler. I'm not sure exactly what you want to focus on. When they pay their money they should get the hand-out for what they'll need for the class: mat, cutter, ruler and fabric if that's as far as you're going. Say on the paper if you're going to make up kits for the class. They can buy the stuff when they get there or bring it themselves, their call. If you're starting them from the very beginning leave plenty of time for questions. They're lucky girls. Learnin' from a pro.

Are you going to teach just the patchwork or all steps including quilting and binding? If you are teaching everything, they will need to bring supplies to the first class or they won't have time to get everything done.

I teach a course that is 6 classes. The first class is the basics (rotary cutting, 1/4" seam, the parts of a quilt, fabric selection, machine maintenance, etc). The second class is making a four patch/focus fabric quilt. The third class we make triangles and flying geese. Everyone makes the blocks then I put them together into a charity quilt from the class. Week 4 is sashes and borders. Week 5 is sandwiching and quilting. Week 6 is binding, sleeves, and labels.

Each week is 3 hours and we cover all aspects of quilting. I have oversimplified what is covered each week, but maybe it will give you some ideas.

You will get students who haven't sewn for 20 years and will need basic help. You will also get students who are self-taught quilters who want to know the right way to do it. Be prepared for all levels.

I hope this helps.

Recently I wrote a tutorial and what I did was work in small increments, take tons of pictures, edit and add the pictures slowly, every time I did a different part I did a picture. It really helped to clarify what I needed to pay attention to. Over 250 pic later the tutorial was done. You could try something similar, oh and charge enough to cover your prep time.

Thanks for the question and all the wonderful advice. I'll be teaching my first class in two weeks and the prep really does take a lot of time.

All my new students like to have directions to refer back to, I like to use "Start Quilting with Alex Anderson" and use one of her simple patterns in the book. I have modified some of the patterns to suit what I am teaching. One was a table runner, 3 different blocks and setting triangles, I referenced the related page number and technique to each block. I like to use lots of handouts.
Enjoy yourself, and have fun in each class, each will learn at their own pace.