Thread: What advice do you have for a new quilting instructor?

I took a beginning quilting class 10 years ago at my LQS. The teacher was so positive and encouraging. Like others have said, she was really good at explaining different ways of doing things first, and then taught the method that she thought was best and told us why. We used Alex Anderson's beginner book and could choose from 3 quilts in the book for our class project. I think all 5 of us chose rail fence because there were no triangles! Mine is still on my downstairs table. She told us to pick a border fabric that we loved and then helped us pick the rail fabrics by teaching value & scale. I remember bolts of fabric scattered all over the place and how fun and exciting that process was. We met weekly and there was also a separate time each week that she was available in the store for extra help if needed. I really learned a lot from her.

Beware of focusing on one struggling student to the exclusion of all others. I paid for a class and someone brought their new machine. Needless to say she wasn't familiar with how to thread, set stitch length etc. I felt like my $ was wasted because we were just given brief quickly given instructions while the teacher focused on this one person. Have a plan in mind for how you would handle various situations like this and others.

Borrow a newbie, or non-, quilting friend. Then go over your lesson plan with them. It will be good practice. You will probably learn another way of looking at things. Take good notes with this so you will know what to do.

Please, PLEASE, do not keep repeating the same thing, rephrase it. If someone doesn't get it rephrasing will help.

Later on you can repeat.

Most of all encourage your students to relax and have fun.

All the above suggestions are great.

ali

If you've taught before, you'll probably be fine. Teaching quilting is not really any different than teaching anything else - the same skills and attributes will stand you in good stead. However, if you've only taught children before, then teaching adults is a little different.
Friendliness, confidence and approachability are the key factors. Adult learners will not expect you to be perfect, but will expect honesty, reliability and self-awareness. Never assume knowledge, but at the same time, don't patronise.
Bear in mind the large differentiation you may have in students - some will be novices and need a lot of reassurance and support, whilst others may want to race ahead. Be prepared for how you will deal with this.
Make sure you get your supply list out EARLY - some people may have to travel to source items or use the internet.
A sense of humour is a great asset - take the class seriously, but not yourself!
If you enjoy what you're doing, they will too. Remember, they're learning because they want to, not because they have to!

One of the worst classes I attended was taught by someone my LQS holds in high regard. She arrived in a great flurry complaining she'd put her back out. Whilst the shop assistants were fawning over her another student and I were at the counter getting some supplies (there's only one LQS in my area and the list had been given too late to ensure internet delivery), only to discover there was no stabiliser at the necessary weight left. Whilst the assistant was dealing with us the tutor started the class - before the appointed time! She did know a lot about quilting, but was at pains to let us know how much. You would have to pay me to go back to one of her classes.

I don't know a lot about quilting, but I lectured adults until I retired. During that time I also taught lecturers how to teach. The very fact you're on here asking for opinions and advice tells me you'll be fine. Good luck, relax and enjoy!

Bring plasters for the person who does not believe you when you tell them how sharp a rotary cutter is... I was really lucky, in one of my classes there was someone with a scar on her hand from a cutting accident, it spoke volumes!

And tell them about your mistakes... it really helps to know your tutor is not perfect.

Know what you are talking about, remind the member that knows a better, faster, or easier way to do what you are teaching, that you only teach what you know is the best for the specific class as you know how to correct any problems using that method. Smile a lot. Don't drag the class waiting on the slow pokes but don't jump ahead to the accommodation of the roadrunners either. One class member can make the class a horror so be prepared to placate with humor.