what's most important or most needed is always going to depend on the student(s). time is the second most important factor. if I was developing a "one-shot" workshop for beginners, i would make sure to cover the following:
- the words "I can't" are a quilter's worst enemy. help them train themselves to say, instead, "I don't know how ... yet."
-introduce them to a variety of the most commonly used tools. include a selection of brands and style so they can experiment to see which is likely to work best for them as individuals.
-have a variety of fabrics on hand, also, so they can see and feel the differences; a basic introduction to the different categories of fabric.
-point out that there is rarely only one right way to do anything. try to demonstrate at least three different methods for each skill you want to include in the class.
-a "what if" section would be invaluable, i think. learning [if and] how to recover from an error will serve any quilter well as the years go by.
-the best advice? warn them to never listen to anybody who offers information, opinions or advice from a high horse. any words sent through or down a nose should be ignored completely.
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- necessity is the mother of invention. lazy is the crazy aunt.
