I would like to learn more of the math part...and designing from scratch (I took a class years ago, and even ended up teaching that class, as it's about the very basics).
I know a few who don't know how to read a ruler.."how many tics after the one is 1/4"?". That's something the basic class should go over. Also, it should include how to check the ruler against the mat...are the measurements the same? What is the best thread to use, what needles for hand and machine?
Picking the best batting to get the desired result. I've learned via trial and error...but having information from the getgo would have saved many a project's outcome.