Originally Posted by tjradj
I think most of the people who have sewn for a while will have no problem with patterns. There is a group that does need help though - I think mostly new quilters and people who are visual learners. Some just cannot read a pattern but if shown will remember it forever.
There are all kinds in any class. So going over the basics I'm sure would be appreciated.
Yep, there are three learning styles....visual - reading a pattern or watching it being done; kinesthetic - hands on/doing it yourself/feel it approach; or, and aural - hearing about it. Or some of us are a combo of these.
Many, many new quilters are kinesthetic learners; sounds like this is your student. Perhaps a brief show of how to make the pattern will suffice. Telling her (as over the phone) won't help. And doing it for her may not help either. Perhaps meet her at the shop with her block stuff, and walk her through putting it together herself. Once she has made enough quilt blocks, she'll be able to 'translate' patterns herself because she'll be able to "feel" herself making it.
Jan in VA