I have had good classes and one bad one. One other woman and I actually sewed our projects there. The others just gossiped about their husbands, money, beauty shops, house cleaners, neighbors etc. Worst part was the leader and shop owner joined in with them and left us to learn on our own. That store went out of business quickly.

Thank you Tartan for stating the important part of this question!

If someone wants to socialize they could go to a guild meeting or meet with friends. If you want to learn a technique or it is a class of something you enjoy doing, take the class. I, like you, go to learn from the instructor.

Last comment: It does not matter that you are behind the majority of the class. Raise your hand, ask the instructor to help you at the point you are at. That is why they are there, to help you learn what they are teaching. There is always someone else in the class that is having the same problem you are having!! They also feel alone and would appreciate you getting the instructor to address their issues too. You may also find a quilting-friend!

This is pretty much what I do. While I've enjoyed some classes more than others, I've never taken one that I didn't learn something. I don't even try to finish the project in the class. I've seen people do it and mostly I think it's idiotic. They usually end up no doing a very good job because they are hurrying. I'm not there to make something. I can do that at home by myself. I'm there to learn. As long as I learn the technique being taught, I'm good.

I've just joined a quilt guild and am thinking of joining one of their "bees" after the first of the year. I'm sort of looking at one that you just bring your own project and work on it because I'm really joining for the fellowship.

I spend my winters in what I call a "snowbirds park" in Florida. Once a week we have a quilting bee in the clubhouse. The first year I was here (this is my third) it was called a quilting class where the instructor gave you a choice of projects to work on. Then we all kind of agreed to call it a quilting "bee" and everyone bring whatever they wanted to work on. Very informal and more fun. We all teach each other and share ideas and tools. If someone needed help putting their quilt sandwich together all you had to do is ask. Sometimes I would spend more time checking out what everyone else was doing than i would working on my own project. I really miss this when I go home to Michigan for the spring and summer.

I've taken three quilting classes. Two were excellent, one not so much.
The reasons for the disappointing class were that the people were really clique-y...all had the same type of high end machines and one made it a point of mentioning that you didn't see Singers around very often anymore when I unpacked my machine.:hunf: The instructor got off on a tangent that had nothing to do with the class (for a good half hour) and the class was misrepresented in the advertising, IMO. Next time I will definitely ask for pictures of what we will be learning before I pay good money for a class.
I find it anxiety-inducing to walk into a room full of people, and not all of us have quilting friends to ask along. However, once I sit down and get started, I don't pay much attention to what others are doing.
One thing that bugs me and maybe it shouldn't, is the people who come around and look over your shoulder to see what you're doing, or go through the work you've already done that's sitting on the table beside you. Maybe that's just me. Maybe no one else cares about that.

Watson

I love taking classes and seeing all the different machines is fun for me. I ask the owner how they like that brand/model. I am surprised at the many who say they wish they hadn't bought it. Too expensive, they don't use all the features, too finicky, repair and maint. costs are outrageous. I take classes at the local Bernina dealer and always bring my cheap Brother. LOL My blocks look the same as all the others sewn on the high end machines. I rarely finish but a few blocks in class. I get bored or overwhelmed and just stop for awhile. I don't try to keep up if I don't feel like it.

You are definitely not alone. I have a hard time going to a class too as the other ladies taking the class just zip along and I am so slow and methodical that I get real behind in the finishing of a block. I really enjoy sewing by myself and taking my time. I have met 6 other ladies that are so encouraging and nice and so knowledgeable. They are so helpful if I need anything like ideas or suggestions. We meet at one of our houses once a week and just have a real fun time. I had joined a quilting guild and it was very clickish and I felt so out of place.
Just hang in there and hopefully you will meet some nice ladies like I did and just enjoy the hobby of sewing. I find it very relaxing to sew.

Well, I walked into our one quilting store and asked about their quilting classes. I asked a question about a quilting foot or a walking foot, can't quite remember, it was a couple of years ago. Obviously, according to the owner of the shop, I was an idiot. Her attitude was so, so superior to me. And I thought to myself, geez, there is absolutely no way that I would take classes from you. And at the same time, some other women came in that she knew, and she was having a grand old time laughing with them. I was actually still going to buy a pattern, but when I got to the cash register, she looked at me and then kept talking to her friends! Like I wasn't worth her time. So I walked out, didn't buy the pattern. I have checked from time to time on her website if she has different people teaching her classes, but the whole experience just turned me off. I do have a seniors centre close by where it is drop in to quilt but since I am still working, I cannot attend during the week during the day. I would have also have liked to make new friends in addition to learning quilting techniques. Two of my friends passed away, one has dementia, and the other her husband needs full time care at home.

I won't take any more classes, unless they are the Craftsy variety. The one's I took were awful. In my case, I am initially extremely shy. Almost paralyzingly so. (My friends would beg to differ). I lurked here for a long time before I felt comfortable making comments. My machine is a basic Singer, but I love it. My first instructor told my I would never turn out quality quilts on "that" machine. I find the advice here to be "class like". Someone always has the answer, or posts a link, picture, or tutorial. I have become very confident in my work. I have this board to thank for that!

In general I love good classes of any kind...like to learn new things, for ex: took a whittling class and learned I loved carving small objects....instructor was excellent...would give instruction for a specific technique then walk around the room to make sure everyone had understood and was. proceeding correctly before he proceeded with further instructions.....

Beyond that, in re to quilting classes....if I'm paying $100.00 for supplies plus the cost of the class...yes, I am expecting a finished project...if not in it's entirety during class then with complete written instructions as to how it is to be finished. My purpose in signing up is to learn, not socialize....I can do that elsewhere. And, if I'm am aware that others are continually seeking attention for themselves or the room is filled with those chit chatting with each other making it hard to hear the instructor then....yes, if I'm aware of it then so is the instructor and she should take charge of the situation.