Originally Posted by Rose L
I haven't read all of the replies yet but I must jump in here and give you my $.02 worth.
I really wonder if the class was marketed correctly? Did the LQS just post the class on their website under their calendar or was it mentioned in their newsletter in a way that made it look like it was THE CLASS to take this season? These LQS are not taking advantage of your status to bring in people to your classes in the way that they should. You have been recognized as a WORLD renowned hand quilter, that is something to SHOUT about!! Were you allowed to hang one or more of your beautiful quilts in the shop with a poster board nearby that listed all the components of the class so interested people could see all of the great things you would be teaching in addition to how to hand quilt? Were there half sheet fliers being stuffed into each and every bag of goodies they sold, walking out the door? Honestly to just list a hand quilting class as available on such and such a day just did not do you justice. If properly advertised I would imagine there would be scores of people who would sign up just to see you and your fabulous work. I see way to much of the bare minimum being advertised at so many LQS. And I feel they are not only short changing an available teacher but they are shorting themselves in the sales that such a class would generate for them. I guess anyone who loves fabric can open a shop but that doesn't make them good at marketing.
Were I you, I would keep trying but I would bring my own marketing plan to the table when negotiating how the class will be advertised. You might also try holding classes with youth groups, senior centers, libraries, or your own personal class open to the public (and get LQS to sponsor it...bringing you much more $$$ than the class alone will bring you). Have a sheet printed up with the class components and the sponsors names and have it stuffed in the newspaper on the days they sell the most papers. That would really get the word out. You could rent space in various towns and cities and hold more and more classes. Everywhere I go I meet people who want to learn to quilt. They just don't know where to go to learn how.
I'm planning some classes for children (10-18) that I will be giving in my home on Saturdays. I think we will start with a pillow pattern and just go step by step through each part of making a quilt. These classes will be free (except for materials). Later I can teach specific patterns on a pay by class basis. This is my way of giving back to heritage of quilting. I hope that it will generate some business by the mothers of said children and perhaps I can then hold beginner quilting classes for adults to generate some income.
I wish you the best!
Rose, your ideas are excellent.
Borntohandquilt. after living in Germany for more that 11 years I hear what you're saying...most Germans use featherbeds and what we call comforters for warmth. But while I was there at least in the American groups quilting was alive and well. We did have some great fabric areas in some of the PX/BXes and there were all kinds of quilting groups going on but on the German market the price of fabrics, notions etc., was way more than what we were accustomed to paying.
I am wondering if you can get in touch with some of the quilting groups in Ramstein, Heidleburg, Wurtzburg and Hanau and others as I've sure they would love to have you come and give them classes.
I'm not sure where you live but if there is a base nearby I will certainly try to find out if quilting groups are there. Things have changed a bit since we were there in the early 90's but I do know there are many quilters still there. Most of this came under the name MWR (Moral, Welfare, Recreation) so if you could get ahold of them somehow I believe you would have great luck in offering your handquilting classes. Sure hope this might help you.