For me, it is a Catch - 22 situation. I really believe that it is the expense of the lessons on top of the cost of materials that put people off.If there are also extra hidden expenses once they get there, it is also off - putting. Of course, the teacher can't be working for nothing and so it would have to be something extra special that you can't learn or pick - up somewhere else, that would attract people.That is a tall order, and is often undermined by people asking previous students to show them the technique (for free). This is why I won't pass on the knowledge as it undermines the art of quilting and is unfair to the innovators.
When I was teaching in a LQS, there was a lady who always turned up half - way through the lesson and only wanted to pay half price but receive the pattern/advice and get as much attention as the others-hence my reasoning that it is mainly financial.
My first (and only) lesson in needle turn technique was a waste of money as the teacher gave me the pattern and then sat down without instruction. She reluctantly answered questions that I asked and I was unaware that specialty thread,pins and needles were needed for applique.I turned up for a lesson that had been cancelled without them informing me and the LQS owner was cross that I told them I would not be back for the remaining lessons. However, I offer this story as some of the reasons why people lose interest.