Thread: What would you expect from a beginner class?

I learned how to sew as a child so I never felt the need to take a sewing class when I started quilting. In hindsight I think it would have been a good idea, probably would not have made the mistakes I made especially because I didn't have the right tools. I was talking to a young woman yesterday who said she would be interested in taking a beginner class. Which led me to question what skills would you expect from this class? I guess one could say it would depend on whether it was beginner sewing or quilting. Please help me decide if this is something I want to take on. Also let me say that I have taught nieces as well as friends how to make a small wall hanging or doll quilt.

Originally Posted by PatPitter

I thought she was asking about teaching a class, not taking one.

This was my understanding also, and I think you provided a very comprehensive list!

Originally Posted by PatPitter

I thought she was asking about teaching a class, not taking one.

I doesn't matter if you are the teacher or the student, these things should be taught or learned.

Originally Posted by PatPitter

I've been quilting for about 20 years, mainly self-taught but did take some classes. For a beginner class I would think the following needs to be covered:

Basic notions - sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, scissors, pins, iron, thread, presser feet, seam ripper
Fabric Choices
Cutting Fabric (and rotary cutter safety!)
1/4-inch seam allowance
Pressing
Matching seams
Batting choices
Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting
Binding


Be sure the students walk away with a completely finished project. Preferably the project would have a few simple triangles just so you can show them a couple of ways of doing triangles.

I totally agree with this. The only thing I would add is how to prepare the fabric and find the straight of grain.

I agree with most of your list, but will add to it just a bit.

- How to thread your sewing machine
- How to wind a bobbin
- How to insert a bobbin in the bobbin case
- how to sew a straight seam of any width
- how to adjust the tension
- how to clean your machine, with emphasis on the bobbin area.

As you can see, I expect a beginner class to meet the needs of a true beginner, who may not even own a sewing machine yet, and a somewhat more experienced sewer who knows (or thinks he/she knows) the very basic elements of sewing.

I am largely self taught, and had no clue that I had to clean the bobbin and thread area on a regular basis until my machine 'froze' up on me. Being a bit mechanically inclined, i took the needle plate off, removed the bobbin and bobbin case and found a piece of what looked like felt in the needle area. It was lint packed so tightly that the needle could no longer pass through it! After a thorough cleaning, the sewing machine ran perfectly again.

That pretty much covers what I was taught in a beginner class. And I do feel it gave me lots of confidence and I make fewer mistakes because I have the basics.

Originally Posted by PatPitter

I've been quilting for about 20 years, mainly self-taught but did take some classes. For a beginner class I would think the following needs to be covered:

Basic notions - sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, scissors, pins, iron, thread, presser feet, seam ripper
Fabric Choices
Cutting Fabric (and rotary cutter safety!)
1/4-inch seam allowance
Pressing
Matching seams
Batting choices
Stitch-in-the-ditch quilting
Binding


Be sure the students walk away with a completely finished project. Preferably the project would have a few simple triangles just so you can show them a couple of ways of doing triangles.