I think I just would have 'very politely' said something like, "I understand and can do everything you've covered thus far so I'm just quietly working on my own until you get to the next part. My apologies if I am distracting you, but I really hate just doing nothing at all." (sarcasm added to taste)

Wow..that is terrible. She must have felt threatened somehow by your advanced skills.

Oh Pat, sorry you had an embarrassing class! I had one class with different level of students, but the person that took the cake was the one that had a brand new machine that had never been taken out of the box and she didn't have her fabrics either...... another student in that same class was very 'needy'.... she had been quilting for several years, but just didn't know how to do anything on her own. If a couple other students hadn't been 'over achievers' and helped that whole class would have been a bust..... I was really surprised when I was complimented from the students..... Next time I will know to refund the money to the ones that are not prepared or switch them to another class....

Whenever I've taught anything where there were students who were way ahead of the others, I usually asked them to be my 'helpers'. Of course this may work better with elementary age kids than with adults. LOL!

The only crafty class I've taught with adults was English Smocking and all the students were newbies and eager to learn. Really enjoyed doing it. The other adult class I've been the teacher for was a Sunday School class and I told them I was the one who asked the hard questions and we were going to be discussing the material, not me lecturing. Have done some one on one time with people wanting to learn to sew. Find that I sometimes have a hard time stepping back and letting them do it themselves.

Had a similar incident, and believe the same as nygal, "she must have felt threatened somehow". I'm self taught, and decided to take a sewing class to hopefully acquire the 'right' way to do things, or at least something new. The instructor sarcasticlly asked, in front of the class, "why I was even there, taking her class?" and my reply, to learn something new, I hope! It takes all kinds.

Faster or advanced sewers shouldn't bug the teacher for instruction for the next step when it's not time for the next step or sit there acting board waiting for others to catch up. If I finish a step ahead of time, I do like you, just be quiet and not be obvious. The teacher was rude. I always confront rudeness with complete silence. Saves me from saying something I may regret and it works.

:D You bet!!!! That's exactly how we Canucks would handle it! :D



PatG ... often times free group get togethers are worth exactly what you paid for it!

When deciding on a class, I do a lot of "checking" before I sign up to ensure it meets my needs, the size numbers, the leader/teacher etc. I've been to classes that were horrors, and classes that were true delights. Unfortunately, in most cases the teachers do not have a chance to screen the class members re abilities, and just have to deal with it when they get there. I empathize with them, though I do not feel it is my responsibility to jump in and assist! After all, I am there to learn as well ... and in a "perfect" world do not know what is being taught!

After reading the threads on class disappointments I am so thankful for my LQS. I have taken several classes and only had one where the instructor could do but not teach. The owners contacted everyone after the first class, apologized profusely, replaced the teacher, added a session and had the new teacher start from the beginning. Their class descriptions state very clearly the level of ability needed to be successful including statements such as "not for beginning sewers or quilters", "confident ability with (whatever) technique needed" etc. they also give a 10% discount for anything purchased for a class but you are not required to purchase from them unless it is a kit class then the kit is a part of the class fee. It's a great place to learn. I also really get so much from my Craftsy classes and there are some amazing free instructional videos from great online teachers like Leah Day, Deb Tucker, Sharon Schambers, the Missouri Quilt Co. Ladies. Don't give up keep seeking those great learning opportunities.

I took a class to do a strip Lone star and was asked before I even signed up if I knew how to sew. LOL I pretty much had an idea on how to do this, but just wanted to get together with some quilters for a while. One of the ladies taught sewing at a local school and she brought the 'Newest" machine the classes she taught would be using. She didn't know anything about it and we had fun helping her set it up and discover all the great features this machine had. And so to class... The teacher would show us what we would be doing and cut us loose to do our thing. She would help those that needed help and the question about an accurate(sp) 1/4" seams came up. Teacher said on this type of quilt (all Lone Stars) you really had to be sure the seams were 1/4". When I got some of my quilt put together, the teacher commented on how good my seams looked and how all the points ended up where they were supposed to be. I said, "yes, you really have to be sure of those 1/4" seams." Everyone was looking at my work, I looked up and the teacher was "mouthing" Thank you, so only I could see. Makes you feel good when classes go good like this and she didn't mind when I would help someone. She said she liked to do classes where she learned something, too.
Would take any classes she teaches. And..I'm really not that good, but have made a lot of Broken Texas Lone Stars. Making one for each of my children.