Originally Posted by
dunster
My advice would be not to try to cram so much into one weekend. Keep in mind that people's bodies and minds can only take so much, and then they shut down. Make it fun, let people get away from their sewing machines, even out of the retreat rooms, especially if there are things to see or quilt shops to visit nearby. Irish chain can be a very pretty quilt, but it's basically just squares and rectangles. I might introduce HST's too. And don't make it about finishing the quilt top. Some people might, some won't, but it shouldn't be a race. Just my 2 cents.
My thoughts, too. I think it would take at least a week to even touch on everything you mentioned.
It took me years to learn some of these things - and I had a sewing background
I know everyone has to start somewhere -
I'm old( er).- and I think most girls had ar least some exposure to sewing way back when
I have no idea what the starting Pont would be for your students - some may not know a needle from a pitchfork - and others may be experienced sewists that have decided that quilting might be something to add to their skill set.
maybe you could do a practice run on -for example - the bound potholder. It would take me hours - and that last join on the binding would be a pain because of the short side length.
all the topics mentioned are worth knowing about - but as Dunster said - most people can only learn so much at a time.