Originally Posted by jojo47
Originally Posted by annesthreads
My mother tried to teach me, school tried to teach me (when the teacher wasn't holding up my efforts for the class to laugh at). I had to make an apron for the cookery class, then a dress. Total disaster, lots of tears and I had nothing more to do with sewing for the next 40 years or so. Mum had bought me a sewing box for my 7th birthday - I still have it and until recently I swear some of the original contents were still in it! The change came at the grand old age of 49 when a dear friend challenged my "I'm useless at sewing" and very patiently helped me overcome my fear (for fear it was by then) and inhibitions and taught me how to quilt. Every time I finish one, I'm still astonished that I've produced it!
Your teacher was an example - imo - of someone who should not have been in teaching. If she had quietly taken the time to explain to you and show you what you needed to do would have been different...but to hold a project up for the class to laugh at...NO! Thank goodness for your friend and her patience! Not only is she your friend, but a teacher with a capital 'T'!
Absolutely. I have to hope that 1950s teaching methods are firmly in the past. I had the same done to me, believe it or not, with art and singing as well, with the result that for the next 40 years I labelled myself totally uncreative, and am still breaking down all the blocks that were put up. I'm deeply grateful to the friend who had the patience and wisdom to guide my first nervous efforts at quilting - she opened many doors for me.